Writing Hint #27: Use your memories
I went to a funeral last Monday. It was in my old home town of Loxton, South Australia. I grew up on a farm and went to a one teacher school about twenty miles from Loxton.
The funeral was for an dear old lady who ran a combined store, post office and telephone exchange in the small town where I grew up. She had reached the wonderful age of 102 and was very active until a few weeks ago. Her funeral was a celebration of a full and interesting life. Her daughter and I went through school together always in the same class. She now lives only a short distance away from us.
After the funeral most of the family and friends gathered in the church hall for lunch. It was a wonderful time of renewing friendships and acquaintances from fifty years ago. A group of us started reminiscing about our school days together. I had forgotten some of the stories of what we all got up to during those carefree days. The memories came flooding back. It was a special time.
Using your memories:
Memories can be a goldmine of resource materials for writing, whether that be in articles, stories or novels. Here are just a few hints for writing activities from memories:
- Write a series of articles about your school days. Compare your school experiences with school of today.
- Describe the community you lived in as a child.
- Interview an elderly person you first met when you were very young. Write down their memories of days when you were young.
- Write an account of how one person influenced your early life. (For example, one of my primary school teachers inspired me to become a teacher.)
- Make a list of the schoolyard games you played at primary (elementary) school.
- Describe what you liked (or disliked) about school days.
- Think about the home where you grew up. Write a story imagining you lived there all of your life.
- I grew up on a farm near a small country town. Write about growing up in a small town – or visits to a farm or small town when you were young.
- Write about someone from your childhood who scared you – or made you laugh.
- Think back to when you were young. Write about a person who took a special interest in you, looked after you, took you to special places or taught you special skills.
From this list I hope you can see that the scope for using memories from earlier days and childhood are a rich source of writing ideas. They are limited only by your own memory and imagination. If your memory is failing, get together with former classmates and reminisce. You never know what gem stones they will come up with!
Related articles:
- Use your inbuilt story antenna
- Writing opportunities
- Short story Starters – links to articles listing over sixty ideas for writing short stories.
Struggling to write
I guess most people have days when they are really feeling terrible. I do. Too often it seems. If you are one of those people who don’t struggle like this then be truly thankful. You have a life that is indeed truly blessed.
Some days the words just flow almost effortlessly. Some days the ideas for writing come storming into my mind (it’s a bit like a hurricane in there at times). Some days I am filled with energy and could write non-stop forever.
Then there are days like yesterday.
Nothing.
Zilch.
And on top of that there came some bad news in the evening from my daughter which shook me to the core. She’s alright – the situation is not insurmountable. What shook me was the sudden flood of memories from twenty years ago when I experienced a similar situation.
I must admit I didn’t handle it well. I was very emotional for most of the night and slept very little. I thought I was over the incident – twenty years should heal old wounds. Wrong.
Today will be one of those days when I will attempt to push through the emotions, ignore the tiredness and focus totally on my writing. Concentrated activity is often a good cure for situations like this. What I write might not be award winning stuff but it will be far better than wallowing in a bad mood. The act of actually doing something can build its own momentum.
That’s what I will try.
Good writing.
Related Articles:
Writing through the storms of life
No Comments »23rd July, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life
Lake Albert, Meningie, South Australia
Life throws up a few interesting storms from time to time.
Last week we went for a short five day holiday in Robe in the south east of South Australia. It wasn’t long enough to really relax, but we did have a good time despite several days of poor weather. On the first day in particular it was really dark, wild and stormy. I’ve written in more detail in It was a dark and stormy day on my birding blog.
Storms can interrupt the normal activities of life. We may have to cancel that picnic. We may have to make alternative arrangements for other outdoor activities. Many times storms bring damage to personal property – and can even injure us bodily.
Environmental storms can take many different forms. Many times we can see the storm approaching and make suitable preparations to avoid personal damage, or property damage.
More subtle, however, are the storms in life that we don’t see coming. Illness, career disappointments, setbacks, death, accidents and many other happenings can come on us unexpectedly. How we deal with them can set us apart from others.
Writers are not immune from the storms of life. Turmoil in the family can easily result from any unexpected event that causes distress. As a writer I find it very hard to focus on the writing task at hand when there is some crisis or problem to be faced in my life, or in the life of someone near and dear to me. Sometimes our priorities need refocusing. Sometimes the needs of others – or our own needs – must take priority over our writing. This can be a hard truth to come to terms with, but face it we must. Facing the problem with bitterness or anger can only lead to regret later. Staring the problem squarely in the face in defiance can strengthen us as people. The strongest trees have been battered by the storms – and have survived.
When the storm abates – and it usually does – get back to the writing with renewed vigour, enthusiasm and resolve. You are now a stronger, wiser person for the experience. Draw on that renewed strength and bring it to your writing.
Good writing.
Back to writing again
It has been a while since my last posting on this blog.
Three weeks in fact.
I’ve been busy – very busy. We’ve moved house. We still live in the same house but we’ve moved the furniture around in three of the rooms. I now have a “new” office. It is much more spacious than my old office and the view through the window is great though I now realise that the garden needs some tender loving care.
The move included emptying the old office completely ready for new carpet to be installed. We had furniture everywhere for a few days. Then we had boxes of gear piled up everywhere. Gradually things are taking shape again and we are gradually getting organised. I must post a photo of my new office; the bookshelves look most impressive.
Another interruption to my writing occurred last week. We went away for a short five day holiday with our daughter. This was far too short but still the experience has given my writing a great boost. Over the five days I gathered plenty of material for writing. The seaside has this special effect on me.
There was an interesting side issue to the break away from home. I took my laptop with me intending to do some writing while away. I never took it out of its carry bag! Instead I managed to read half a novel, the first time I’ve done this in many months.
Life Sucks: Writing on the bad days
7 Comments »30th June, 2007; Category: The Writer's Life
Sometimes life just sucks.
Normally I am a fairly optimistic person. I try to see the potential in every situation. I try to see the good in everyone. I try to have a positive outlook on life. But then – some days just deal a very poor hand of cards to work with.
Take the last 48 hours, for example. I try not to grumble too much about my diabetes, but there are times when it just gets me so down that everything that matters just gets too much. I just want to curl up in bed and sleep forever. I know it’s not me but rather the illness that is so debilitating, but it sure gets a stranglehold on me.
When I have times like the last two days I tend to get depressed, emotional, defeatist and it is a terrible struggle to get out of that deep hole and get on with my writing. Just getting down these few words has been a mighty struggle.
How do other writers cope with serious illness? Some of my readers must have more serious conditions than mine, and yet you cope. Share your ideas and thoughts in the comments below so we can all learn to draw strength from each other.
Some strategies to try:
Meanwhile, here are some strategies I’ve tried today – with some moderate success in overcoming the down time:
- Tap a nap – it can be refreshing to body and mind.
- Do a crossword puzzle – it would have helped if I’d solved it!
- Watch a favourite DVD – I knew all those old episodes of MASH would come in handy.
- Go for a walk – at least the weather was a little kinder this afternoon.
- Give yourself some time off – to get a life.
So – what about your suggestions??
Leave a comment – I’d appreciate your input.
UPDATE: I solved the cryptic crossword later in the evening. Yes!