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.”
