Try Something New–Write a Memoir!

Before  the Coronavirus hit our country, I taught a writing course to  fellow residents at my Holiday Retirement community in Oklahoma. The class chose the subject matter (with a little pushing from me).We chose Memoir writing. We had a great time and enjoyed thoroughly learning how to write memoirs and then sharing our memoirs with each other.

Some people mistakenly think that autobiographies and memoirs  are the same. They are not! They are as different as peas are from carrots! Autobiographies deal with a person’s life starting from birth to the present and they are written in basically a chronological style. Memoirs deal with specific groups of events in someone’s life. The narrative is not chronological.

There are several different types of memoirs. All memoirs can be called personal memoirs. Some memoirs can be about your teenage experiences. Some can be about embarrassing experiences.  Some can be about your romantic memories, etc. Some can be about your educational experiences or your travel experiences.

There are also spiritual memoirs where the author recounts aspects of his or her spiritual life or development. For instance, a person could write a memoir or a group of memoirs  about how his religious life was intensified by his commitment to reading the whole Bible every year or how a men’s fellowship class at church strengthened his faith.

Among older Americans memoir writing is one of the most popular forms of writing to undertake. It is wonderful for your mind and it is fun to do. Your relatives will appreciate receiving some of your memoirs as  a Christmas present or as a special birthday or anniversary gift!

So friends, start today recalling special memories and turn them into precious memoirs! Your family and friends will cherish them!

Until we meet again,

Love from your friend Hope