November is National Memoir Writing Month—not to be confused with the more widely-known but now defunct National Novel Writing Month, NaNoWriMo. Since memoir is what I mostly write, I would be remiss if I neglected mentioning it here and now.
Let’s start with the basics: what a memoir is and is not. A memoir is NOT an autobiography. That’s a chronological account of the author’s entire life story. Rather, a memoir is an assembly of personal recollections that focus on a specific time period, theme, or series of events in the author's life. It is a creative nonfiction work that uses the author’s individual narrative style and voice to explore a central topic.
My first book, My Mother’s Keeper: One Family’s Journey Through Dementia, certainly fits that definition. It chronicles my experiences during the last three years of my mother’s life, as told in a journal I kept during that time. My second book, Dear Folks: Letters Home 1943-1946 World War II, is actually my dad’s memoir of his time as a pilot in the US Army Air Force. His letters perfectly capture his narrative style and voice. My third book, Girls Can’t Do That, still under construction, follows my path as I bucked childhood challenges and adult norms, ultimately gaining entry into the male-dominated field of forestry.
The deeper I dive into memoir, the more I love it—and not just my own stories. A few years ago, after I began writing bits and pieces of memoir, I began telling those tales orally at local storytelling open mic events. It surprised me that audiences engaged with me. I also enjoyed listening to other folks sharing their memories. I learned that everyone has a story and deserves an opportunity to tell it.
Last month I acted on that revelation by starting a new, weekly Substack newsletter that goes by the same name as this blog: Adventures in Storytelling. The difference is that the blog is a platform for my own stories. The newsletter is a story-sharing forum for everyone. I didn’t know if the idea would take off or fizzle, but I decided to give it a try. I started with an anecdote of my own, and then greased the skids by asking some of my friends to participate. Now others are jumping in, and I’m cautiously optimistic. I’ve got tales by other folks booked weekly for the next two months. If the trend continues, there should be enough by the end of next year to publish an anthology that will give contributors an opportunity to see their own memories in print. It’s my little effort toward finding and preserving stories that may otherwise go untold. Everyone has a story and too many people go through life without telling theirs.
Your stories are important. They define your place in history and provide your unique perspective and contributions to the larger human story. Especially now, during these unprecedented and trying times, it’s crucial that we retain our connections to both the past and to the future. Click on the Substack newsletter link and share yours. You don’t have to be a polished writer. Jot it down and send it in. If you need editing help, just ask me—it’s a collective project.
Curious about memoirs? The National Life Writing Month website has more information and resources.
#memoir #tellyourstory #shareyourstory #storytelling
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