Back to Basics: If you’re discouraged, write “one sentence, one paragraph, and one vignette at a time”

If you’re already writing a memoir, you know the process can be mysterious, intimidating, and discouraging.

 

You have must-write stories for your kids, grandkids, and generations yet unborn.

 

You know those stories—

the ones they need to learn from, to cherish.

Stories that will teach them, nurture them,

give them hope, and strengthen their faith.

Stories that will mold them into good people

with intact hearts and minds.

 

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

 

If so, I have good news for you:

 

Your stories could be taking shape

even though you might not realize it.

 

Think about this: A seed of your story,

already planted,

has been swelling and sprouting and growing

while you weren’t taking notice.

 

Stories can be like that.

They can live in hidden corners of your heart

where subconsciously (if not consciously)

you’ve already started assembling your memoir: 

• You’ve been collecting—in your mind, or in writing, or on your computer—ideas,  relevant quotes, or Bible verses.
• You’ve run across old photos or newspaper clippings.
• You heard an old song that stirred up memories.
• You ran into a relative or an old friend.
• You discovered a loved one’s obituary tucked away in a file folder.
• You’ve remembered key events that might have seemed unimportant at the time but that now hold significance.

 

All that has been marinating in the back of your mind and it’s starting to come together.

 

Perhaps you’re more ready

to start writing your memoir than you thought.

The time to write might be any day now.

 

Here’s good advice: Tell yourself you’re only writing a rough draft—which is for your eyes only—and then keep writing.

 

“Write with the door closed,” suggested Stephen King. “Your stuff starts out being just for you. . . ” (On Writing).

 

Your initial attempts

don’t need to be perfect.

Everyone starts with a rough draft.

 

“The first draft is the child’s draft,” writes Anne Lamott, “where you let it all pour out and then let it romp all over the place, knowing that no one is going to see it and you can fix it up later. . . ” (Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life).

 

“Small steps are better than no steps,” says Victoria Costello.

 

“Writing memoir might be one of the hardest things you’ll ever do. . . . Feeling overwhelmed comes with the territory.

 

“When you feel that sinking feeling, remember that a memoir is simply a string of personal vignettes. Take small steps and focus on finishing one sentence, one paragraph, and one vignette at a time.”

 

Victoria continues: “Worry about threading the story together later.” (The Complete Idiot’s Guide to Writing a Memoir)

 

Yes, eventually you will spiff up your rough draft:

You will reorganize, revise, and rewrite.

Every writer does! It’s not punishment.

It’s polishing and shining and clarifying

for the sake of your readers.

 

But for now, don’t worry about all that.

Just take small steps, “one sentence,

one paragraph, and one vignette at a time.”

(Victoria Costello)