Discovering The Person Within:A Look At Memoir Writing

by Stacy A. Colombo

When I was a young girl experiencing the everyday trials and tribulations of adolescence, I often found sanction in my journal.  A small, floral patterned, hard covered book that I entrusted all my darkest fears, deepest passions and sacred memories.  With each turn of a page I allowed my pen to escort my mind to the most minute and yet most lavish instances in my life: Grandma’s kitchen, Prom night and the front doors of St. John Fisher College to say the least.  No matterwhat mood I was in when I began writing, I often found myself in a more pleasant place when I was done.  I knew that it didn’t have to be a masterpiece at my first sitting; all I was worried about was getting everything off my chest and reflecting on what I experienced.
 Sure, one purpose of a journal is to act as a mediator between reality and your inner voices, but another purpose of a journal is to trace the events of your life and reflect on all the different aspects of it no matter how positive or negative it may be.  As long as your thoughts are willing to run free, the writing will open your heart and cleanse your soul.   You don’t have to be a writer to express yourself, just a desire to tell your story.  And hey, you never know; your story just may influence not only your life but also somebody else’s life someday. It seemed to work out for me.
            Journal writing is one of many versions of Memoir writing.  What is Memoir, you ask?  Well, I’d be more than willing to share my interpretation, for all of those who don’t know, of what I consider one of the most powerful written art forms.  Memoir is simply an account of the personal experiences of the writer.  A sketch of an event and the proceedings of a learned society.  The great thing about Memoir writing is that it not only tells a tale of a personal story, but it also encompasses that person’s reflections, thoughts and culture.  Memoir is a great form of storytelling.  It is a wonderful way for people to relate to other people’s experiences and find closure and/or joy in his/her own.  Not only can a person relate to these experiences, but he/she may also treat it as a learning experience; see how the author went about his/her situation and see how you may build upon that.  If your looking for a quick fix for reflection and self-healing, then writing Memoir is just what the doctor ordered.
            As I said earlier, I discovered Memoir writing when I was a young girl experiencing adolescence.  My notebook was filled with the typical scenarios that every teenage girl faces: boys, boys, and boys!  My notebook and I have been through a lot together.  We’ve seen many happy times and many sad times.   There were even occasions when I felt like the only way I could let off some steam was by writing.  It wasn’t until I was in college that I took my Memoir writing more seriously.  Since I was more mature, I was able to focus on other topics besides boys.  At this point in my life I had experienced independence from my family, serious relationships and death.  Something always seemed to trigger my thought pattern, like a spot on the wall, a certain kind of food or a hairbrush.  I was able to remember things I haven’t thought about for years and for just that one second I was able to re-experience a great moment of my life.  But, no matter my age, I considered Memoir writing a gift.  It was the best breathe of fresh air I was ever given. 
            And so I leave you with this.  As you venture off to your favorite writing space, keep in mind that what you write may not only be words on a page but a reflection of the person you are, the person you want to be, the different courses of your life and the rewards and consequences that come along with it.  No matter how you choose to express yourself, always remember to embrace what you’ve experienced and learn from each step.  Carpe Diem!  Seize the day and keep writing.  It’s just like what James Van Allen said, “ I am never as clear about any matter as when I have just finished writing about it.”