Post #115 – Women’s Memoirs, Writing Prompt – Kendra Bonnett and Matilda Butler
Memoir Writing about People in Your Life
Who are the ten most important people in your life?
I got the idea for today’s memoir writing prompt from Southwest Airline’s Spirit magazine. I pulled an article explaining how four stars had been stolen from Hollywood’s famous Walk of Fame.
Many years ago, we took our two children still living at home to Disneyland and related sites. We included a stroll along the Hollywood Walk of Fame where each of us picked out a couple of favorite actors. We were approached by a man giving out tickets to a Jay Leno show so we included that in our trip set of events. This turned into a special trip that we’ve all commented on over the years.
The Spirit article brought to light the unexpected story that four of the official Hollywood stars have been stolen over the years. Female actors can rejoice — only stars of males have been taken. And of the four –Gene Autry, Kirk Douglas, Gregory Peck and James Stewart — all have been recovered except Peck’s. It turns out that his was removed from the sidewalk with the aid of a saw. I’m not exactly sure how one saws out and removes a 300 pound terrazzo-and-brass star, but it seems it can be done.
Writing Prompt
1. Imagine that you will be given 10 stars to put into the sidewalk in your town. You need to choose family members who have been important in the movie of your life. Who would you choose? Write down their names. Then go back and write a few sentences about how they have helped to make you the person you are today.
2. Assume you receive a phone call saying that there has been a change in plans. Instead of family members, you are to put the names of 10 important friends on the 10 stars. Who would you choose? Again, write down names. Once you are happy with your list, write about the ways each person has been a good friend.
It feels good to honor the people in our lives. At the end of the writing prompt session, you might want to call or email the people on your list and thank them for all they have done for you.
It’s wonderful to both give and receive gratitude.
