1. Sometimes writers read powerful literature, and then in the wake of that reading, we write. We do so hoping some of the magic rubs off on us.

2. What James could have added on………. The house was incredibly quiet without my brother. I sat on the sofa and flipped through every channel over and over again. Nobody complained or stood in the way so that I couldn’t see. If my brother was here, he would try to wrestle with me instead of letting me relax. I remember those times when he would force me to play “Uncle.” His satisfaction of victory would spread across his face like the layers of butter I used to pile onto my toast during breakfast. Home just doesn’t feel like home anymore. It feels like I am a visitor and I wait with anticipation until I am able to return home and have life be like it used to be.

3. 1.I can picture James sitting on the couch all by himself, and I see that he feels lonely and is really missing his brother, despite the fact that he used to give him a hard time. 2.I feel his loss and I remember when my sisters went off to college. Life at home wasn’t the same anymore. It was empty, like my wallet this morning! 3.I hear the brothers going at it, wrestling and knocking over the lamp as James gets wrestled to the ground. I hear him cry, “Uncle!” and his brother laugh in victory.

4. Your memoir chapter today is a window into one of your hallmark moments in life. 1.Can we see through that window and watch the scene unfold in front of our eyes? 2.Can we hear the event going on? 3.Can we feel the emotions that you were experiencing? 4.Can we react to the small moment/s that you have provided for us?