Deeply Ingrained: #1 in Blog Series

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Naturally, since I am a memoir writer, I spend much time thinking about the influences our ancestors played in the kind of life we live after they have departed this Earth. For me, this topic can not be covered all in one blog post. This is the first in a series of three writings on this subject. What I have in mind for the final, I am especially excited about because it will culminate the series into an obvious thread of ponderings.

“I remember with great affection my mother’s wonderful eye for design and the well-coordinated home she made for us four kids and my Dad, the one who custom-built homes for our family and so many others…The hunt for economical, special cast offs is something I have developed…they bring interest to an abode…” ~ excerpts of writings from my personal journal which sits on my  inherited 1920’s antique spinet writing desk of my grandmother. ~  Sue Batton Leonard.

Do return for the 2nd in the series of blog posts about my life as a memoir-writer and other ponderings about my family flock. Our ancestor’s influences have been cast into the big net of family who took great notice.

 Without tradition, art is a flock of sheep without a shepherd. ~ Winston Churchill

Memoirs: Never the Same Thing Twice

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I believe that the memoir is the novel of the 21st century; it’s an amazing form that we haven’t even begun to tap…we’re just getting started figuring out what the rules are.” ~ Susan Cheever

On Friday I wrote about chiggers, of all things! Just hearing the word “the chiggers”  set off memories of a significant time in my life. That’s what happens when we see an image, smell an odor, hear an adage or touch something that brings us back to the past.

For instance: Remember saying “ Ewwwww…..he’s got the cooties.” It was a 1950’s thing. My girlfriends and I used to say that in reference to boys we didn’t care for.

Now you might ask “how did we get from chiggers to cooties?” One memory led to another! And the mention of the cooties has led me to these thoughts:

cootie game

Uncle_Wiggly_Game

battleship

concentration

hands down

 

lets make a deal

Candyland

barbie game

cheyenne

In my opinion, the goal of memoir writing should be to stir memories which will  inspire others to write about their experiences in the game of  life. Because each persons perspective and experience is so different, memoirs will never lead to reading the same thing twice.

To read more about the art of memoir writing, follow this link. Books about Memoirs

This blog is brought to you by Sue Batton Leonard, author of Gift of a Lifetime: Finding Fulfilling Things in the Unexpected.Click here for info & ordering Sue’s memoir

See you tomorrow on All Things Fulfilling!