How to write your memoir #3
When you have a shiny new project, you might feel a burst of passion, exhilaration and motivation. That buzz can carry you a little ways, but what happens when it wears off?
Action
Set yourself up for success with a few practical early steps.
Good intentions pave the way (to an unfinished project drawer)
Back up your good intentions with strategies for focus and discipline. We all work a bit differently in what motivates us, but there are a few tricks to try:
Accountability — tell people what you’re doing. Even better, join a writing group to check in on each other, support and encourage each other through the process.
Routine — build writing time into your regular schedule. Don’t just tell yourself that you’ll write this week; instead, block it in your calendar “I’ll write at 10 on Tuesday, for an hour”. Make sure the people that you share your time with are aware of your routine, your ‘do not disturb’ time.
Incentives — reward yourself as you progress through your writing goals. Choose a range of small and large rewards for your various goals: a square of chocolate, an episode on Netflix, a fancy new pen, a professional massage...
Coaching — just like a sportsperson can benefit from coaching, so can a writer. Find a writing coach who fits your vibe, and let them help you lift your writing game.
Collect your info
Think about what is going to support your story’s structure and planning, and bring them all into an accessible place (eg, a box in your closet, a computer folder). Even if these snippets don’t relate directly to the story that you want to tell, they will serve as a great foundation for your memoir. Between the lines, what you’re doing is stockpiling inspiration, to dig into later. Here are a couple of ideas:
Make a chart showing every year from your birth till now. Jot down significant events as you remember them. Here is a downloadable template you can use (Excel file).
Collect your memorabilia. Old letters, photos, sketches, ticket stubs, receipts… anything that could prompt a memory or illustrate a story.
Write down lessons that you’ve learned along the way, challenges you’ve overcome, funny stories you’ve lived through, unexpected adventures you’ve had…
Break it down (the joy of goal-setting)
Instead of giving yourself one huge goal (eg, “my goal is to write a memoir”), break it down into manageable chunks. Be specific.
“My goal is to write an outline”
“My goal is to write 500 words”
“My goal is to choose a photo to illustrate chapter 2”
“My goal is to edit a chapter”
Set small goals that you can achieve in a single writing session, as well as bigger milestones that you can tick off every few weeks. It will feel great to see and track your progress in a productive way.
In the next post, I’ll respond to a few other concerns from aspiring memoir writers.
