Remembered Truth
One thing remains consistent from generation to generation, people group to people group. The desire to write one’s own story reigns supreme.
I don’t know about you, but I love to share my personal story—my remembered truth— with people. In some ways it alleviates my pain to tell of the struggles I’ve been through; in others it helps show my readers that they can have hope, even when they go through dark times.
If you think about the generations who went before you, what questions do you have? Do you wish you could ask your great-great-grandfather a few pertinent questions? Do you wish you great aunt so-and-so was still around so you could get her to explain some things you don’t understand about your cousins?
Throughout time, people have gravitated to the personal genre of writing known as memoir. Memoir writers not only leave a legacy to their offspring and all future generations; they provide answers for hurting people and hope that life will go on.
So, why write your memoir?
It’s a great way to:
1). Figure out who you are
2). Unburden yourself of the things you’ve struggled with 3). Receive insight and understanding
Why?
Oh, I know, I know...you’re asking, “Why in the world would I want to drag up old memories, things I’ve put behind me? Why spend time reminiscing about the good old days?”
Because your story is interesting, that’s why. And because your children, grandchildren and all future generations will have a clue where they came from if you take the time to tell them.
How?
How does one go about writing a memoir? Here are a few tips:
- Know your audience. (Are you writing to family members, colleagues, friends or people you don’t even know?)
- Create an outline. Only include the relevant, interesting tidbits. o Prepare to go places you might not want to go (emotionally and psychologically). Reliving your story means going back to times, places and events that might be painful.
- Seek to add the upbeat, fun stuff. Share stories of the best day of your life, how it felt to fall in love, what it was like to hold your newborn for the first time, etc.
- Let your children know what you’re doing and ask for their slant on the stories you’re adding. It’s always fun to write the story your way and then add, “But Susie remembers it this way...”
- Include stories told to you by your parents and grandparents: things that others won’t know unless you tell them.
- Don’t fret over your children’s apparent lack of interest. When they’re your age, they will understand the need for such things. They still have you, so they’re not thinking things like, “Gosh, I wish I’d thought to ask my mom about so-and-so.”
- Include tidbits about your family’s heritage. o Consider yourself a custodian of memory.
As we close, let me ask you a question: Do you plan to write a formal memoir, one carefully constructed, or an informal family history? The choice is yours.
Final note:
If you’re not keen on writing things down, record your story so that others can play it back and transcribe it later.
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