THE MEMOIR

What is a memoir? It is the story of how we got to where we are and how we got to be who we are. It is a chain of memories triggered by a few notes of a song, a certain color, a scent. It is the composite of our lives--how we have lived in the past and how that will affect our future.

First, put your worries away. No one will read the memoir unless you want us to read it. Do not worry about who your readers will be or even whom you want them to be. This is for you and you alone; if someone else benefits and learns from you, great. If no one ever reads it except you, that is just as great. You might be uncomfortable writing;  you might not like some of the unavoidable truths; you might be troubled by some of the memories. But writing the memoir will help us see the paths of our lives.

HERE IS THE START

• get a notebook you like. if you are satisfied with a school notebook--fine. but if there is something tactile and interesting about a notebook that speaks to your head, you will want to carry it around and write in it.

• find a pen you like. buy two and don't lend them to anyone or lose them.

Keep your memoir private. This is your life and should not be shared unless you want it to be shared. Losing the memoir takes away your power to keep your own confidence.

In the coming days, you will find "assignments" here. They will be exercises in the collection of the story of you.