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Memoir Writing for Older Adults: Part 2
Many of us worry about the mental health of our aging loved ones. Fortunately , research shows that writing your life story can dramatically improve symptoms of depression and enhance cognitive function. In addition, writing about life experiences can counter loneliness and stimulate conversation as suggested by Psychology Today.
Citing some literary scholars and cognitive neuropsychologists, “constructing narratives is an essential mental process through which human beings make sense of their experiences” (Journal of Medical Humanities, Dec 2021).
Therefore, we decided to devote two blog posts to memoir writing which we hope will inspire older Americans to consider engaging in this challenging and intellectually stimulating activity.
Don’t try too hard
Contrary to popular belief, one of the best ways to start writing your life story is to stop trying. Believe it or not, you may find your groove when you let go, relax, or let yourself play. Why don’t you change your mindset and think of the writing process as a playground rather than a battleground. This is your chance to play, explore, learn, and have a good time. In other words, don’t think of it as a chore – embrace it as a new fun activity, something to look forward to and something that could enhance your life, give you energy, and stimulate your mind.
Let prompts be the compass guiding your memoir journey
You can dive into your memory and transform it into a captivating tale, one prompt at a time. Start by choosing what is important to you. From a cherished relationship, fascinating friendship, or special celebration to a fancy souvenir you brought home from a special trip – just get the ball rolling by writing about that event, item or memory and see where your thoughts take you from there.
Here are a few other prompts you could use to get your creative juices flowing. Can you think of a beautiful song you used to listen to all the time in the past? Does it come with strong feelings or special memories? Can you think of an encounter, a conversation, or interaction that inspired or influenced you or made you look at things from a fresh perspective? Was there a turning point in your life that you would like to describe, and how did it impact your past, present, and future? What were some of the most important traditions your family observed when you were very young? All these ideas can help you set the wheels in motion and initiate the process with confidence and passion.
Turn the reader into the protagonist
This particular suggestion may surprise you a bit. After all, YOU are the subject and the story revolves around YOUR actions, experiences, triumphs and falls. That being said, it is not all about you. What matters is the extent to which your readers can benefit from your revelations. Although the story is mainly focused on your personal experiences, you should make sure the reader can relate to what you are going through.
Avoid a traditional starting point
Start your story in an unexpected way. Don’t stick to the usual chronological order which can make it so much more predictable. Instead of starting at the very beginning, kick things off with a surprising, funny, or intriguing incident from the middle of your story. As you may already know, a compelling start should grab your readers’ attention without giving away the ending and “spoiling the surprise”. Later, you can go back and share the actual beginning and provide the background details. This is a good way to keep it interesting and keep your readers hooked.
Keep on going no matter what
When writing your memoir, resist the urge to take a break or put it aside when the going gets tough. Let me assure you that putting the project on hold can make it hard to pick up where you left off and resume the creative adventure. There is no need to stress about making every word, phrase, or sentence perfect; you can polish it later. Just concentrate on getting your story out. If you keep at it, you will make progress.
In conclusion: You don’t have to be a professional or charismatic writer and you don’t need publishing connections when it comes to memoir writing. Just be yourself! By not trying to be a perfect writer with extraordinary writing skills and amazing talent, you can keep your unique voice and perspective intact. Remember, it’s up to you whether to publish it or not. Most importantly, the process of writing a memoir is a reward in itself. So have fun sharing your story and good luck with your creative undertaking! You can do it.