When reading the obituaries section in the newspapers this weekend, I saw a notice that had a couple of titles for a memoir that may give you — and me — the necessary inspiration and push to start writing.
According to the obituary, the deceased “wrote a memoir of his life (Barry’s Bits), and a collection of stories (Did I Ever Tell You?).
What I like about these titles is that they make writing in fits and spurts manageable. Instead of facing the task of writing a lengthy narrative, you can write a series of short stories or anecdotes.
The second title, Did I Ever Tell You?, may be the easiest for me to start and perhaps accomplish. I often share stories about my past, such as my experience at theatre camp one summer and how I travelled 10 hours alone by train to move to Quebec City to attend university.
My family claims I repeat my stories. I doubt they listen the first or second times.
Writing down my adventurous and not-so-adventurous stories in something like Did I Ever Tell You? may be achievable, and perhaps interesting to someone long after I’m gone.
Five tips
If looking for more ideas to write your memoir, Rosemary Collins has shared five tips in her article, How to write an autobiography, for Family Tree Magazine.
