Writing Memoir

How did it get to be the 24th of July already? And a beautiful Sunday it was, although I observed most of it via peripheral vision. I sat (and am still sitting) at my computer, perpendicular to my office door which was open to the warmth, sunlight, and splashing sound of two fountains in my little pocket garden. Oh, and the door was also open to a few flies who managed to annoy me as I worked on a flyer for a class I'll be teaching in September on Writing Memoir.

Last night, I finished reading the Pulitzer Prize winning memoir, Angela's Ashes, by Frank McCourt. (As I write this, the words in my head have an Irish lilt). This memoir recalls McCourt's childhood and teenage years in Limerick, Ireland, a childhood so daunting in terms of survival, it's a wonder he and his three brothers lived through it at all. Three other children in his family did not. This book was the first of four memoirs I have lined up to read in the next few weeks. I'm also in the process of gathering sorting and  scanning every picture I can find of me, my family, my husband, and our children.

When my parents passed away, they had boxes of pictures. I've also been a photo album creator (not just online) for quite some time, so those albums will need to be taken apart and catalogued. While sorting through boxes, bibles, journals and diaries, I'm also finding written treasures. My father copied a beautiful Indian prayer he saw at the Sioux Indian School in South Dakota. I found all the letters I wrote home when I spent 18 months living and working in Australia. Since I'm not done with the exploration, I'm expecting to unearth more.

All of this is in preparation for teaching the class on Memoir Writing. This is a class on the benefits of memoir, how to get started, how to keep going, and what to do with it when you're finished - if one ever does! I've been wanting to write stories about my life experiences for quite some time. Now, I'll be able to share my experience with others, which will be wonderful motivation to keep going. The primary memory jogger for me will be photos (surprise!). I'll also be able to help others scan and restore their photos. As I sorted through mine, I was able to relive those moments once again. I'm able "to taste life twice", as described by famous diarist, Anais Nin - and will be helping others do the same.

So, how did it get to be the 24th of July? Time is fleeting and now I'm on a quest to rewind the clock, take a trip down memory lane, and help others do the same. Here's to the adventure of it all!  BonnieKingPhotography.com