Angie Marotte is an author who refuses to do this in the third person because the act of writing is intimate to me and, as a consequence, my writing itself is honest and personal. I write a lot about myself because it is how I understand my world and who I am. I write memoir in this blog and process the difficult job of being a caretaker and use my words to preserve and bring to my own attention all that I am thankful for. I am also a Horror writer with an almost finished draft of novel #1. It’s called Dissonance. There is even a growing pile of short stories, to my pleasant surprise. There are many more half formed characters and brewing ideas that sit up on shelves in my room or lurk in doorways, staring at me. Their eye brows are slightly raised and arms are crossed. They are impatient. They want me to create them, already!
Not that long ago, I quit my job as a teacher to write and care take full time. I am at the cusp of this new career as an author. Thank you for taking the journey with me.
transcribingmemory 
Thanks for your lovely comment. Good luck to your book and your blog!
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Thanks! Good luck to you as well.
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I’m so happy you commented on my blog because I discovered yours as a result. It’s a joy to read!
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Aww! Thanks so much!
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I don’t think I could do either one- the caretaking, or the transcribing. My patience is limited enough with my soon to be 88 Dad, and I love but don’t live with him. I did once start the process of writing his life story but there were too many people. Some at too great a distance and some too near… and the facts were blurred. I wanted neither to fabricate nor to wound. It’s very different in your case. Good luck with your future, whatever it might hold, and thank you for reaching out to me. 🙂
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Thanks! And good luck to you!
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Thank you for following my blog. As a genealogist, your blog topic is very interesting. This is one way to preserve these memories. I hope it lives for decades on the web, and family members not yet born will be able to read her words. Great job.
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Awww, thank you so much!
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Thanks for the follow! Looks like we are in the same place as far as publishing a novel. Mine has taken me eight years to write and I hope it doesn’t take that long to publish. Best to you, and share the experience with all.
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I am going to read some of your posts here! It’s amazing to have such an access to someone’s past, secrets, and memories. You are so blessed! :’) I used to be a caretaker as well, and I know it wasn’t easy. I truly respect your choice to share about it here, in such an uplifting and matter-of-factly ways. It makes me see care-taking from a different view 🙂 *send my hugs to Babu*
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Thank you sooo much and I will!
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Thank you so much for following my blog! I hope you will find things there that will resonate with you.
I hope I can read your novel some day soon!
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Thanks for the support!!
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What a great project!
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Thanks so much. I’m enamoured with the process!
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I can see why!
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Thank you for sharing your caretaking tale and Babu’s journals.
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It’s really a gift I’m thankful for it and glad to share it.
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Wonderful.
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I love the essence of this blog! Story-telling and preserving history at its best. Very cool! Thanks for taking the time to do it.
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Whaaat?!? Thank you so much for the wonderful compliment. It means a lot.
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Glad you decided to follow my blog. Your post about your grandmother’s journals made me think of “When Women Were Birds” by Terry Tempest Williams and her mother’s “journals”.
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Is it good? I’ll check it out if so!
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Hi, I have nominated you for the ‘My Liebster Award, 2016’. You can find more details about it on my site- Ihttps://reachingthesunblog.wordpress.com/2016/05/21/i-have-been-nominated-for-the-my-liebster-award-2016/ Have fun and happy blogging!
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What an honor. Thank you and I will have fun!
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A beautiful blog in both design and content. What a lovely idea and so unique. Never seen anything else like it. Keep up the amazing work!
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Brilliant. I love the theme, love the love that shines through.
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That is so kind to say. Thank you.
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Thank you for commenting on my blog. Your blog is amazing – such a great idea and the journals entries are fascinating, real pieces of history. I love your writing style too. Looking forward to reading and discovering more.
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Thank you!!!!
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I should have read this section before I commented about Change/Purpose, but realize I was not far off. Yes, you are caring for Babu. I love your line that the only easy part of this task is her. How fascinating that you are also transcribing her diaries.
As I wrote before, I care (somewhat, but not on a daily basis) for my mom. We are rounding the corner, since my dad died, toward seven years that she has lived in an institution. Since she has lived in the memory care facility, I’ve heard her tell me for the first time in my life, “I love you.”
I’ve written 3 books, still trying to figure out the agent – query process. The third is about a family trying to find a way of working with their ill mother-grandmother and realizing that communication breaks down in many ways.
We have a lot in common. I’m looking forward to following your blog and reading your poetry and the sections of the diary.
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Yes, Babu is our grandmother and I moved in with my husband who had already begin to take care of her and she quickly became my grandmother as well. And please don’t worry about what section you have or haven’t read, I welcome questions. 🙂 I commend you for caring for your mother. I’m sorry she and you are dealing with Alzheimer’s. You are giving her the best care and made the best choices for your family situation and her health situation. Babu is 98 and has remained sharp. I am incredibly grateful for that every day.
Three books! I’m impressed. Except for the fact I have not yet finished the one – it’s a mess – we do have a lot in common and I’m glad we can meet through our writing!
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I think it’s amazing what you are doing, both with looking after your grandmother and transcribing her diaries. What a lovely way to honor a life! I look forward to reading more.
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Thank you very much. Honoring her life is what I have set out to do and I hope it achieves that goal. Thank you for reading!
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Beautiful description. I recently went through end-of-life experiences with my mother. Difficult, beautiful, never to repeat experiences.
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Thank you and I’m sorry for your loss.
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Nice to meet you!
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Thank you for your follow, i really like your blog and so pleased to meet you
Brooke
Theutopiauniverse.com
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Thank you very much for saying so!
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My pleasure
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And how did you get that rough draft? You wrote it. That still counts. 😉
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It’s closer to being sent to publishers now. 😀
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Hi, I found you through Danny’s meet and greet weekend. I love the concept of this blog and look forward to spending more time here soon.
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Thank you so much! And I look forward to working my way over to your blog!
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Hi Transcribingmemory. Good luck with your writing Thank you for wanting to follow my poetry adventures. And for your comment and liking my poem “The Only Sound!” Very interested in all things paranormal conspiracy theories and observing life! Writing is a passion that keeps me sane and alive! Great to meet you. The Foureyed Poet.
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Your selfless devotion to this monumental task is heartwarming. A rough draft of a novel is much farther than most poeple get, and with everything else that you do, it’s an inspiration. I wish you all the best.
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Wow. Thank you very much!
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If you’re novel is in rough draft stage, have you tried reading Stuart Horwitz’s books for structural revision?
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Thank you for the advice. Right now I have a few plans.
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Best of luck!
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Thank you so much.
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I nominated you for Blogger Recognition Award…. Perhaps you already were but….
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Oh thank you so much!
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I’ve just been reading some of your blogs and I love them! I volunteered for a dementia support group here in the UK and had the opportunity to do some creative writing with them. It’s such a beautiful thing your doing and a generous one to share with us all. Thanks!
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Thank you so, so much. It’s beautiful what you are doing as well. I look forward to checking out your blog.
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so glad I happened onto your though-provoking & honest blog 🙂
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Wow. Thank you so much. I’m looking forward to checking out yours as well!
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There. You said it. Owned it. Good for you. Now you just need to fill it out, breathe it, play and move and feel joy with it (despite the occasional blank mind or struggle!). So lovely to have stumbled upon your blog 😉
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😁thank you so very very much!!
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I can’t wait to check out you blog and maybe get more of these awesome positive vibes!
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I’m so excited to have found your blog! I agree it’s hard to know when to call yourself a writer, but my dear, you ARE a writer. Use the description often, as you have earned it. I have letters that my great grandmother wrote to my great grandfather (before they were married) when he was in the army in 1926. The unique thing is that I also have his replies. I’ve been typing them up and wondered if I could make into a book. You have inspired me and I look forward to learning more from you!
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Hello and thank you and gasp! You have their letters??!! Oh my, if you every blog or publish about those I want the first copy or to be the first one to follow! <3! I look forward to following your blog and thank you for your wonderful comments!
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This is quite an amazing thing you’ve got going here!
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Thank you so very much.
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Glad to find this intriguing blog. I think hesitation in calling one’s self an artist or a writer, when that’s really what you’re after, demonstrates a healthy level of humility. You’re realistic and level-headed. That’s great. You’re all set now to be a dreamer!
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I truly appreciate this show of kindness, understanding, and support! Thank you so much. I look forward to checking out your blog.
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It takes confidence to say you are a writer, and you have, so congrats. I’ll share with you the best advice I ever got after I wrote my memoir. It was from my aunt who is an accomplished artist. She told me to join a workshop. That was seven years ago and the best advice I ever got. Begin to commune with other writers, get feedback, critique, and you critique their work as well. It’s invaluable. And as my writing mentor told me at the very beginning, “Writing is a journey. You never stop larding.” Best of luck to you, and keep writing.
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I love that advice. Thank you for giving it and for your kind words.
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This sounds like a fascinating project! Makes me wonder if my own future grandchildren will want to do this with me someday…
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Thank you so much and I hope they do!!
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your project is wonderful! I’m writing memoir but in the form of a collection of short stories I call “Human Ashes”. You are inspiration to keep doing what matters. Thanks!
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Thank you so much for these kind words. You’re project and title for it sounds amazing. It’s so important that we write these things! Cheers!
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Thank you for following my blog. I love the idea behind yours and look forward to reading more. Your grandmother sounds like a wonderful lady. 🙂
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She is indeed and I hope you enjoy.
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hi!! I followed you just a little while ago and tomorrow I plan on having a good read of your blog here! just read your ‘what is this’ page and it made me think lots of things actually, but one was how cool it will be to read my own journals with my family when I’m older. enough about me, a quick scan of the comments here are proof enough of how good this will all be to read. what an amazing idea and person it takes to follow it through with, so go you, I cant wait to read everything here
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These are such lovely comments thank you so much. And yes, please! Start all the way from the beginning if you please. Maybe you will find more in common with her than just your names. I look forward to reading your blog as well.
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Love your thoughts about whether you could call yourself a writer or not and going to be loving your blog too! Glad I found it through Carolyn Watson! Happy 2017 !
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Thank you!
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Good going, a new exciting phased in your life, i know how it feels. Thanks for the follow, I’ll be checking in with you
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Thank you and cheers to you! Thank you for reading.
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Thanks for stopping by my blog and appreciating the work, I’ll take it as a push to write more. Also, the work you have showcased is outstanding. I’m taking leaves from it to inspire my work.
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That’s very kind of you and I’m happy whenever I inspire anyone to write more.
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Never read a horror book before but am loving your approach. One should always write about what they feel is the best way to explore the world, in my opinion 🙂
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Yes, horror is important to me and is the way I tell my tales. Thanks for the comment! If you ever do decide to read horror check out Neil gaiman’s The Graveyard Book. It’s a beautiful book!
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Hi Angie! Thanks a lot for the support! I’m indebted to you.
Great blog here. 🙂
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Great blog!
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Oh thank you so much!
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I wish you the best luck in your writing and on this beautiful and egaging blog.
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Thank you so much for these kind words!
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All of this and a first novel… Have fun with your words and I look forward to reading the finished book
Great blog too, what a wonderful thing to do. 🙂
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Thank you so much!
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Hi! My husband’s family last name is Drobey…could there be some relation?
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What area did his family grow up in?!?!?!?!
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Hiii.. I have nominated you for the Lovely Blog Award Kindly find the details on my link https://sreepriyamenon.wordpress.com/2017/04/05/lovely-blog-award-thank-you/?preview_id=9372&preview_nonce=2e3ed7a266
Congrats !!!
Keep up your Good Work 🙂
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What an amazing thing this is you’re doing here. I’m so glad I found it – thanks for following my blog!
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Thank you! 🙂
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I enjoy your writing. I am a strictly nonfiction writer and my blog is my outlet. Thank you for following. We were caregivers as well, so my heart goes out to you. When my mother died I inherited most of the letters she received from my father during WWII (she wanted me to throw them away but I refused) and all of her recipe files. I’ve been trying to decide what to do with them. Begonia
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Thank you. It beautiful that you have those letters. I’m sure you’ll always cherish them.
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Hi Angie, just to let you know, I’ve nominated you for the bloggers Liebster award. You can find out more about it at my recent post
https://lynnefisher.wordpress.com/2017/06/16/the-liebster-award/
Cheers, Lynne
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Thank you very much! As you can see, I’m incredibly behind and I wont be able to pass on the award, but I am very honored!
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