Journal
Seven: Getting Started on Your Memoir
Select one of the following topics
and write about it nonstop for approximately 10 minutes. Feel free to respond in
any way you like but don't stop writing until the time is up. Focus on quantity
and not quality. This is a journal exercise to get you thinking about writing a
memoir, a way to collect ideas that you might use for writing a memoir.
Using a Hook: Make
a list of things that represent popular culture for you, such as a favorite
song, a movie, a hairstyle, or a specific event. Now make a list of objects
that symbolize special times in your life (e.g., a poster; piece of clothing,
jewelry, or furniture; a souvenir; a favorite book). From the lists, select one
item as a trigger for starting a memoir. Describe the item, and briefly use
this description to start writing the beginning of a memoir.
Unifying Moments: Think
of two events in your life that are unified in some way. For example, they both
point to your interest connect to a special person in your life or reveal one
of your personality traits. Describe the events, and tell how they connect.
Collage of Images: If
you were to gather objects to make a collage of your life, what would you
collect? Explain why you selected some of these objects.
Drawing Pictures: Draw
three pictures that represent a recurring situation in your life. Date the
three pictures. Write a paragraph about each picture and another paragraph that
connects the paragraphs. What is the unifying theme? What do these events
reveal about you?
Photographs: Think
of a photograph that you are in that has special emotional associations. If you
can get the photo, keep it in front of you while writing. If not, try to
visualize it as best as you can. Describe the photo and tell what memories are
connected with it.
Family: Think
of a past family event that could be used as the focus of a memoir (e.g., a
holiday event, a visit to a grandparent, or a special celebration). Describe
the event. Explain how you could use the event to convey a point to your
readers.
Cultural Ancestry: Think
of some object or event that symbolizes your cultural ancestry (e.g., a family
heirloom that has been past down or a ritual like a holiday celebration). How
does this object or event symbolize your cultural ancestry and your identity?
Journeys: Think
of a pivotal event that has transformed you (e.g., migrating to the
Diaries: If you have ever
kept a diary, recall an event that you narrated. What happened, and why does
this event stand out in your memory? How has time affected how this event influenced
you?
Historical Event: Consider a
significant moment in your life that occurred at the same time as an historical
event. Describe both. What are the
connections between the events?
Course Syllabus | Course
Schedule
Last revised August15, 2000
J. Arzt