L e e ' s's profileL e e ' s Senior Moment...PhotosBlogListsMore  |  Tools Help |
Memoirs - Finished At Last!Memoirs - Finished At Last
I'm not really sure when I conceived the idea of writing my memoirs, but I know that I have been working on them for at least two years (off and on). I suspect that my sister planted the idea several years ago when she kiddingly commented that maybe I should write a book about my life. Seems she thought it would make interesting reading. Personally I don't think so. I've just tried to take each day as it comes and handle it the best I knew how.
Not having done anything like this before, I did some research in to 'how' 'why' etc. that I should write about. Then after I started writing it, I went back and researched a lot more. Perhaps if I had done more research before starting, I might not have started in the first place. But, once started, and with encouragement from my daughter-in-law, I made the determination to complete it. But, you say, how does one complete their memoirs - and still be alive? Well, that determination wasn't that hard to make. When you can't think of anything else to write about, you just type "THE END" ! LOL.
So, for anyone contemplating writing their memoirs, let me pass on some tips - information that I gleaned from research that I found to be right on target!
"Be prepared for a complex journey of self-discovery and soul-searching. Memoir writing can be a therapeutic and beneficial experience, but it is emotionally exhausting. And it will demand emotional honesty and bravery". I found this to be very true! You really have to reach deep within you to find that interesting aspect with which to write about. There are any number of things with which to write about. It's a perfect time to make amends with someone. I read of one person who had had a very difficult relationship with the father. That person couldn't write anything of the father while he was living as it probably would have been too intrusive or impertinent. But, after his death, and the heart was healed or right, that person could and did write of the father.
Your memoirs are not an autobiography, in fact they are pretty far from them. Also, one cannot imagine how different it is to write about the real . . . and the unreal. You are, in effect, communing with your significant dead, and this is a very exhausting thing. Not unpleasant, but still hard work. Once you stray from the real you may as well call it a novel rather than your memoirs.
Unfortunately study material is difficult to come by as memoirs are usually of most interest to family, relatives, and close friends - people who you have known, and have known you for large part of your life. You are not going to be able to go to your local library for much reference material.
If you are truly interested, you might start with this site.
Don't be the least surprised if you re-write every chapter several times. One of the first things that I did was to go back correct facts as best I could. Even later I added more material that I would remember. One of the last things that I did was to go back to correct my English and punctuation (in case my old English teacher was still around!). And my wife proofread it a couple of times.
I haven't printed it up yet but my daughter-in-law has said she is first in line. But, I have a great niece that has known that I've been working on this since the beginning, and she also has spoken for the first complete copy. Actually, I've been kidding my sons that I just might wait until I have CRS (what? you don't know what that is? It's "Can't remember s _ _ t" before I distribute it.
Enjoy, friends. Before long I'll be back to normal! LOL
Blessings to all
Lee
|
|
|
