A Stroll Down Memory Lane:How Do I Get Started?

by Stacy A. Colombo

I remember it like it was yesterday.  I was in my Spring semester of my Junior year of college.  I had signed up for a Woman’s Autobiography and Memoir class with fellow Writer-On-Line contributor M.J. Iuppa.  I didn’t know what to expect from this first-time-offered-class.  All I knew was that I loved to write and that was all that mattered to me.  

One of our first assignments was to pick any object from either our home, bags or personal area and recreate a memory we’ve had involving that object.  At first I thought, well, that sounds easy enough.  That night I tore my room apart until it became more of a disaster then it already was.  My searching halted though when I found myself starring at a dull, yellow-handled hairbrush that my grandmother used to use on my hair when I was a kid.   Vivid images started racing back in my head, such as the way the bristles felt on my head after grandma dipped the brush into a small glass of water on a hot July day.  From that point on, I sat back down at my blue iMac and started to write.  Everything flowed out of me so easily.  With the simple phrase, every morning I use the same hairbrush, a Memoir of my own was born. 

I have come to realize that this writing exercise was a blessing in disguise for me.  In reality, I haven’t thought about those days with my grandmother in years, and the memories were right there with me as I brushed my hair everyday, sometimes twice a day.  Sure, eventually I may have remembered, but I needed a little push to bring them back to the forefront.  I still question whether or not I would’ve remembered those memories without the exercise.  Through this activity, I learned that my past wasn’t as boring as I made it out to be and that no matter what I discover about myself, I shouldn’t hide it because I just may influence someone else.   I think it was Denis Ledoux who summed up the true essence of what Memoir truly is in his book, Turning Memories into Memoirs by saying, “A life story is a gift one generation bestows upon another, a legacy people have been giving from the beginning of time.”

            With that in mind, a great life story or Memoir cannot come together or be shared without a good amount of thought and preparation.  Our job as writers for each new piece is to work our way back to the drawing board with a clear head and an eagerness to share with our readers at least one (or maybe even more) instances in our lives that we render important.  I know what you’re thinking, that’s easier said than done.  I agree with you whole-heartedly!  When it comes to getting started, I am probably the slowest person on the face of the earth.  Believe me, it’s not because I choose to be but because that is one of my rare setbacks as a writer.  And I know I am not alone.  With that said, I have prepared for you a quick little list of tips on how to get started on writing what may be an exceptional Memoir.  They seem to be working for me, so why not give them a shot because hey, you never know!

• Evoke a Memory: I bet if you were to look around your house, you would find something that would spark a memory, even if it were a situation you haven’t thought about in years. A great way to break the ice is to find or concentrate on an item that may make your mind want to take a stroll down memory lane.  Be open to all different kinds of items, such as objects, events and milestones.  You just may be surprised with the outcome.

• Start With One Story At A Time: Your Memoir does not have to start with your birth.  You have the option to choose from whatever instance in your life you render important. The key is not to jam pack every occurrence in your life in a short period of time. Focus on one memory at a time and give that memory the detail and vividness it deserves!

• Be Cinematic: Pretend you are a Director for a movie and you are viewing your memories through a clear lens.   Place your reader in the specific place during a brief span of time.  Present your story one scene at a time.  Just think to yourself, when I watch a movie, what is it that I expect and want to see presented?

• Use Concrete Sensory Images:  Allow your readers the opportunity to visualize every aspect of the event they are witnessing through your eyes.  We were all born with five senses; so, don’t be ashamed or afraid to lay each and every one of those senses out on the table!  Your reader will feel as if they have taken your place in that situation.

• Let Readers Know What You’re Thinking:  Even though we all have a desire to be a mind reader, it is virtually impossible.  The reader cannot get the full effect of how you reacted to a situation and why unless you are open and willing to share it!  If your view of the situation is not concrete, then that will only put the reader at a loss!  Think of this as an open confessional for your heart.  We’re not here to judge, so bear your soul!

• Don’t Let Perfection Get In The Way:  There is no person in this world that is perfect, so don’t expect your writing to be perfect the first time.  That’s what the revision process is for.  If you are constantly correcting your work while you are writing, then you will never get it written.  Get your thoughts out of your head on onto your paper.  The rest will come in due time.

• Write Everyday:  Make an effort to sit down to write at least 15-20 minutes each and every day.  Even if your free writing turns out to be nothing more than junk, at least you are staying active with your craft.  Plus, you never know what you may get out of your free writing experience—it just may be a masterpiece!

            In conclusion, even though I was told at one point in my writing career that writer block does not exist, I believe that each and every writer experiences a point in their career where they need a little help getting started.  I know I have.  For all of those out there looking for a tip or two, I hope my little list was of some help.  And now, with no further adieu, grab your pads, pens and pencils, find a cozy place to sit that is quiet and that is adequate for writing and allow yourself to relive your memories one more time.  On your mark, get set, go…