JOAN’S JULY 4, 2009 WEEKEND BLOG – HAPPY JULY 4TH/MORE INFORMATION ON MY BOOK PROJECT

I need a rest, and so do you. If you are having company for a holiday celebration, I hope you will let your friends and relatives help you as much as possible with either cooking, cleaning, entertaining, or watching your spouse.

Since our little village has no money this year, there will be no concert and no fireworks, but I am okay with watching both on TV. I am also okay without a house full of company.

However, while you are resting, I would like you to think about contributing a story for my book project. I have been on the phone with my editor for hours the past two days, and we have clarified the guidelines. Information on how to formally send the hard copy of the story, documentation, and release forms will be printed next week. Only 20 stories will be selected, so we urge you to send yours via e-mail to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com  before the August 1st deadline.

Guidelines for Story Submission

All stories must be received by August 1, 2009. 

1. Write a story about your experiences as a caregiver for your spouse who has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or other form of dementia. Stories should be non-fiction, between 800 and 1,000 words. (To determine the number of words, use Word’s “Word Count” feature, found in most versions as an option under the Tools menu.)

Stories should have a positive tone and might expand on one or more of the following topics:

a. What you have learned from life (for example, in your career, in the military, or from a previous life crisis) that has been helpful in getting you through the caregiving journey.

b. How you successfully managed a particular caregiving crisis.

c. What you wish you had known earlier about caregiving that may have helped you cope more effectively.

d. How caregiving has enriched your life or enabled you to help others.

e.Privacy – You may request that your last name not be used. You have the option of total anonymity by using a pseudonym and no personal pictures.

Humor is often a great way to illustrate a point or teach a lesson (not to mention a way to get through the day)! If your story has a humorous element, don’t hesitate to play it up. 

INFORMATION ON HOW TO SUBMIT A HARD COPY, PHOTOGRAPHS, AND A PERMISSION RELEASE FORM WILL BE POSTED NEXT WEEK. Until then, you can submit your story via e-mail to joan@thealzheimerspouse.com 

Have a restful weekend.

©Copyright 2009 Joan Gershman

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