Thanks, Jeannie. I’m writing memoir pieces (among other personal essays here on Substack), and building the book-length narrative in the process. You can find links to many of last year’s memoir pieces from this post (scroll down to ‘Index of Selected Posts’): https://www.howtoevolve.me/p/how-to-evolve-start-here
This just sounds so sensible. And your “Penis in the Patè” brought back memories of my Mum walking round the house with her tits out - empty sacs hanging down in front of her ribcage. I think it’s why I detest nakedness.
I have realised lately that my brain has some definite aversions to certain body parts (including all feet, some noses, old ears, wrinkly bits, hair) and I would rather not see them.
In fact the only part of the body that I really like is hands. I love the stories that hands tell.
Memoir is hard for me - I don’t have memories.
I think it would take some intense therapy-like work for me to access memories for decades of my life, which I have never had time for. I construct my history from photos, single memories like snapshots that have no before or after, and diary notes, in the years when I kept diaries.
Every so often, I think of diving in, but I am a little cautious of what I might find there. It would be like a trip to a war zone, and I am not sure the value of the journey!
I felt like that too for a long time and didn’t want to go there. Now I do! I think because I’ve realised that it can’t hurt me anymore and I want to try and understand. But I completely get why you wouldn’t want to. I’ve got very sketchy memories too but lately more keep reappearing. A few happier ones too, which I’m amazed by!
My mum’s boobs are the reason why I always wear a bra (including a sleep bra); gravity is a bitch!
I understand your reluctance but I find memoir like an exorcism. Better out than in. It is genuinely therapeutic… but yes, it brings up emotion. I find that is a necessary part of feeling better about things and letting them go.
'to speak up where we have been silent' That for me is the power of memoir. Also the connection we feel when we read memoir. We are not the only one! Looking forward to Amanda's course.
Oh no! I was this close to resigning myself to just forget it. All unfinished 65 pages that aren’t enough. But yes, you are right. ❤️
Beautiful, Ros. May I ask where I can find your memoir to read it?
Thanks, Jeannie. I’m writing memoir pieces (among other personal essays here on Substack), and building the book-length narrative in the process. You can find links to many of last year’s memoir pieces from this post (scroll down to ‘Index of Selected Posts’): https://www.howtoevolve.me/p/how-to-evolve-start-here
Wonderful. Thanks, Ros. :)
This just sounds so sensible. And your “Penis in the Patè” brought back memories of my Mum walking round the house with her tits out - empty sacs hanging down in front of her ribcage. I think it’s why I detest nakedness.
I have realised lately that my brain has some definite aversions to certain body parts (including all feet, some noses, old ears, wrinkly bits, hair) and I would rather not see them.
In fact the only part of the body that I really like is hands. I love the stories that hands tell.
Memoir is hard for me - I don’t have memories.
I think it would take some intense therapy-like work for me to access memories for decades of my life, which I have never had time for. I construct my history from photos, single memories like snapshots that have no before or after, and diary notes, in the years when I kept diaries.
Every so often, I think of diving in, but I am a little cautious of what I might find there. It would be like a trip to a war zone, and I am not sure the value of the journey!
I felt like that too for a long time and didn’t want to go there. Now I do! I think because I’ve realised that it can’t hurt me anymore and I want to try and understand. But I completely get why you wouldn’t want to. I’ve got very sketchy memories too but lately more keep reappearing. A few happier ones too, which I’m amazed by!
My mum’s boobs are the reason why I always wear a bra (including a sleep bra); gravity is a bitch!
I understand your reluctance but I find memoir like an exorcism. Better out than in. It is genuinely therapeutic… but yes, it brings up emotion. I find that is a necessary part of feeling better about things and letting them go.
I completely understand where you're coming from, Sarah. I, too, grew up in a war zone!
Me three!
'to speak up where we have been silent' That for me is the power of memoir. Also the connection we feel when we read memoir. We are not the only one! Looking forward to Amanda's course.
Looking forward to reading your writing on this course, Michelle. Your memoir has been brewing a good long while! 💙