| p>Before you begin to write your memoir, there | | | | start writing from the point that most commands |
| are a number of non-writing tasks which you | | | | your attention. |
| must do--this phase of compiling your memoir is | | | | 3) Write on half-sheets of paper. Filling a full sheet |
| called pre-writing, and it is essential to writing | | | | of paper with words is often the hardest part of |
| better stories. | | | | writing--so take an 8 1/2 by 11 sheet of paper |
| Pre-writing can include: | | | | and cut it in half. It is easier to fill a half sheet of |
| -list making. | | | | paper with writing than to fill a full sheet! |
| -rereading letters, journal entries, newspaper | | | | On the half sheets, write whatever comes to |
| clippings. | | | | mind--without deciding how any of this will all |
| -talking to people and reminiscing. | | | | come together. At this stage, it is more important |
| -doing any of the numerous writing exercises in | | | | to write regularly and voluminously than to write |
| this book or others to stimulate your memory | | | | well (that will come later). On top of each half |
| and keep your interest high. | | | | page, write the name of your writing topic as |
| Pre-writing can actually occur at several points in | | | | your title. (Your topic should come from your |
| the lifewriting process: at the very start of the | | | | lifelist.) |
| lifewriting task, as an effective warm-up, | | | | Your goal now is to produce a stack of half |
| whenever you pick up your writing after an | | | | sheets of writing. Do not be concerned with |
| absence. | | | | whether or not you are writing well or how your |
| 1) Don't start writing until you have done | | | | final draft will shape up, nor what the beginning |
| pre-writing. Pre-writing generates memories to | | | | scene of your story will be. Do not even be |
| write about. Making a list of memories and | | | | concerned with whether or not you are filling up |
| emotions associated with those memories | | | | the whole half-page or whether some half pages |
| provides a convenient list of story topics. This is | | | | are full and others have only a few short |
| called a lifelist. | | | | sentences. |
| 2) Let the pre-writing dictate where you will start | | | | You will organize later what you have written: |
| writing a lifestory. Pre-writing often reveals a point | | | | shuffle the half sheets into a more appropriate |
| at which you will feel most comfortable starting. | | | | order than they were written in; decide that the |
| This is your entry point, the point at which you | | | | material on Page 4 belongs before that on Page 1 |
| simply must begin to write. That point can be a | | | | and that the piece about the picnic belongs after |
| setting, a dialogue, or an action. Paying attention | | | | the piece about the conversation with your father. |
| to what you most feel compelled to write will | | | | As you order your sheets, you may realize that |
| prove to be not only the most enjoyable way to | | | | you already have written something that can |
| proceed but also the most effective. | | | | serve as a beginning or that you clearly don't |
| Resist the urge to start writing from what seems | | | | have a good beginning yet. |
| like the beginning of your story. Instead simply | | | | Good luck pre-writing! |