Post #110 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompt – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
Memoir Writing and Finding Your Story
Kendra and I haven’t blogged as much as usual over the past week. Why? Kendra was occupied driving from Maine to Las Vegas where we are giving three workshops at the Association of Personal Historians. Surprise. Surprise. It took her more than the 2 days she allocated to get here. Actually, it took her 3 and a half. Obviously that kept her away from blogging.
My excuse isn’t nearly as air tight, but I was busy refining the workshop materials. Well, okay. There has been a bit of fun as well. Yesterday, we drove to the Hoover Dam to see the new bridge. On a previous trip we had taken the Hoover Dam tour and watched the history of its construction. This time, it was just a quick over the new bridge into Arizona and back.
Lake Mead is quite low right now. There are islands showing that are usually well under the water surface. In the photo on the left, you’ll see concrete towers that also are usually under water.
This got me thinking about a memoir writing prompt for you.
Memoir Writing Prompt: Look Beneath the Surface
Imagine that your life is like a lake. Most people see the surface you. Now imagine that you drain some of the water out of your lake. Not everything will be visible — just the important elements — those events that have mattered the most to you — that have made you the woman you are.
Now write for 10 minutes about those elements that are visible. First, name each event or person that has been important in shaping you. Second, write about each of these to capture their essence.
It is easy to get caught in trying to share everything about our lives. Let this exercise help you focus on what is most important.
