A glass of wine, a half-empty Word "page"

[MorningGlow]

and 48 hours to write a eulogy for my uncle's funeral. Cripes.

I got no HOOK! :cry:

[janx]

1. You don't need a HOOK.

That's one of the biggest trails to bad writing. You only have to remember a point.

[MorningGlow]

3. I know; I'm a writer by trade

It's the chardonnay talking. I meant I need an angle. The guy lived 87 years--there's too much there--I need a focal point. Can't find one yet.

[janx]

5. You don't need an angle either.

If you are a writer by trade, ditch the trade just this time. Think of the first times you spent with him and go from there. Ditch the angle or the hook and go for the emotional details, the weird things that only you would have noticed.

Edit: I'm not trying to criticize you. It must be very frustrating for you to have to "perform" under such emotional circumstances.

[MorningGlow]

7. Mmmmm yeah I need more of a focal point

Something to hang the eulogy on, so I don't do 1) a personal reminiscence (this is the only comprehensive assessment of his life in the funeral so I can't get overly personal--I have to be more general) or 2) a chronological snoozefest.

I appreciate your advice, though! I have noted some of his endearing quirks already--like the guy would never drive you to the airport without first packing your luggage in his trunk tighter than a Jenga cube. I have no idea why. Quirks--the guy had tons!

Grouchy bastard, though. Gotta downplay that.

:hi:

[Haole Girl]

2. Just write about one of your favorite experiences with him...

...I have some other ideas if this one doesn't help.

Good luck. I've been asked to do that-- I know it's very difficult.

:hug:

[MorningGlow]

4. Thanks!

It really is difficult. One thing that keeps creeping up is that I never really, really knew the guy--and I don't think anybody else did either--everyone knew "parts" of him.

I just don't want to make it a chronological blah-blah of 87 years. ZZZzzzz....

[Haole Girl]

6. Sometimes it helps to start out by writing it down on a piece of ...

...paper. I know I have difficultly looking at a computer monitor for inspiration sometimes. It will come to you. I know this is easier said than done. Sorry if I'm being preachy.

:hug:

[MorningGlow]

8. No, no, no preaching detected

No worries! :hi:

You're right about the paper instead of the 'puter, of course. I have notes from talking to my mom and aunt (his sisters)--the juices were flowing more this afternoon as they talked.

Ugh. Still tough...and the cat just peed on the entry rug. THAT doesn't help! Damned feline! :rofl:

[The Straight Story]

9. My uncle died yesterday :( I wrote about it tonight

maybe this thread will give you some ideas:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=105x6724122

[MorningGlow]

10. My condolences, SS

Must have been a day for uncles passing on. :hug:

Thanks for the link. Lovely sentiments you shared--I agree--part of the old guard passing away. My uncle was 87 and the de facto "head of the Italian family" since my grandfather passed nearly 25 years ago. End of an era.