Your “necessary stories” might be falling into place behind the scenes

You probably have “necessary stories,” stories you need to write—someday—for kids and grandkids and generations yet to be born.

But you’ve been putting off writing your memoir because it’s hard to find time, or motivation, or courage, or just the right words.

If so, I have news for you: Your stories might be taking shape nevertheless.

Kim Edwards, author of The Memory Keeper’s Daughter, spoke of how she came to write the story. The idea for it “stayed with me…as the necessary stories do.”

Life went on and many things occupied her time.

Then one day, a chance encounter reawakened within her the book idea, “with a greater sense of urgency and interest. Still it was another year before I started to write it.

“Then the first chapter came swiftly, almost fully formed, that initial seed having grown tall while I wasn’t really paying attention.”

Maybe for you, too, the seed of your story has been swelling and sprouting and growing tall while you weren’t taking notice.

Stories can be like that.

Stories live in hidden corners of your brain and heart where, subconsciously (if not consciously), you’ve already started assembling stories for your memoir:

• You’ve been collecting—in your mind or in writing or on your computer—ideas or relevant quotes or Bible verses. 
• You’ve run across old photos or newspaper clippings.
• You heard an old song.
• You’ve run into an old friend.
• You’ve remembered key events that might have seemed unimportant at the time but which now hold significance.

And all that is marinating in the back of your mind and it’s starting to come together.

Think about it.

Perhaps you’re more ready

to start writing your stories

than you thought.

The time to write might be any day now.

Remember: an unfinished manuscript tucked in a drawer

or saved on a computer will not inspire anyone!

It won’t bless anyone,

it won’t shape any lives.

Also remember,

everyone starts with a rough draft.

Your initial attempts at writing

don’t need to be perfect.

“The worst thing you write

is better than the best thing you didn’t write.”

(author unknown)

Is today the day to start your rough draft?