I'm finding it hard to lift my head at times. I work on my completed memoir from time to time, desperately unhappy with editing attempts.
Other stuff intrudes like daily life tasks and my energy is absent. I do what I can. I started to throw out one item a day - usually into my recycling charity pile unless it's gone past its lifespan completely and lies sobbing in a corner somewhere. I exaggerate. But you know. I have a hard time throwing out stuff and am drowning in old photos, old books, detritus of an old life that no one else will care about. I promised family I would get a negative reader, but WORK. I promised myself ten minutes a day shredding masses of old papers, but WORK. And honestly? Digitized stuff? Does anyone look at it if I do it?
Speaking of the memoir, it is about a time I thought I'd never share with anyone. Ever. But it's haunting me. I need to get it to unhaunt by putting it out there.
And as I say at my writing workshops - most of our stories die within us. Repeat after me: get it out there.
Teacher, listen to yourself. It's time to just sit for at least an hour a day and think about it and restructure sentences and the unfolding of it all.
Just finished:
Reading:
I'm enjoying every single page. What a delight.
I think people should just get it all down first, then you can worry about editing, or if you have the money, employ one.
ReplyDeleteWhatever it is about, the title of the second book really grabs me. I'll take a closer look.
Re getting it all down, I am the pot calling the kettle vermillion.
DeleteVera Wong (in the second book) is one of the greatest characters of all time. I think you would enjoy her Andrew.
DeleteAnd yes, I need to straighten up and fly right and get 'er done and dusted.
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I should be going through stuff and tossing this and that, instead I sit by the laptop reading what my friends are writing and later, reading books, some on the kindle, others lent to me by "no-one". Before I know it the day is gone and dinner must be made.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it crazy River? The days blow by and I think what the hell have I done? I am grateful I am never ever bored, but seriously, where does the time gallop to?
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I am in the camp of not worrying about my stuff. I am fairly organized, purge papers regularly, same with clothing. I am slowly downsizing my library through ebay sales of the more valuable ones. I have told my sons to call an estate agent or auction company, because most of what I own is vintage or antique...and there are my booths full of stuff too. My house has no attic or basement and few closets, so there's not many places to squirrel stuff away. I do have 4 "memory boxes" of letter, pictures, kids' drawings, etc, that they can look through if they want, or just toss. My life has not been so interesting that a memoir is needed. The secrets I have, yes, I will take them to my grave. I applaud you for being willing to put your story out there. I am not nearly so brave!
ReplyDeleteI was inspired by one of my writers who wrote about a secret she never thought she'd put out there (I encouraged her) and holy Hannah the book is climbing the charts. So happy for her.
Deletethe most interesting books are the secrets we carry I believe.
I admire you greatly for keeping "the stuff" under control. I am very much in baby steps with all of this. Loads of yarn, unfinished stuff designs not completed. Etc. I will love to be at a shred as I go state. Dreams.
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I have that second book on my bedside table, in my TBR pile (which is enormous). I admire Granny Sue for staying on top of things. My house is bursting w/clutter and keepsakes.
ReplyDeleteWe'd get along quite well Elle, admiring each other's piles. Many of my friends are Zen. I can't understand it. These vast clean spaces and barely there items in cupboards. I think I'd be lonely without all the books and yarn and pictures on the walls that are meaningful, friends' art, my art, etc.
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I have a good local place to donate clothing and another, an hour away, to donate everything else, and these make it easy for me to part with stuff. There's still a long way to go but if I keep a receptacle and a bag handy to put items into, it's an ongoing process I feel good about. Even my pile of journals is dwindling by at least one page a day. As long as there's progress, some pressure is off.
ReplyDeleteI'll hope to read your memoir one day, and are you not going to share the title of your writer's book that is climbing the charts?
No on the book. My privacy (and my family's and even my friends - even worse) has been breached in the past and I am mentioned in her book.
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Well okay then, you fascinating, accomplished, private woman, you!
DeleteIt's brave you're tackling that memoir, especially since it's about a time you never thought you'd share. But you're right, getting it out there can be incredibly freeing. Your own advice to 'get it out there' is spot on! Take those ten minutes or that hour for yourself; your story deserves to be told. Hang in there.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.melodyjacob.com/
Thank you Melody, a little encouragement goes a long way.
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I have resisted decluttering and downsizing and continue to do so. I don't plan to change. My daughter, ever the practical one, says, "Don't worry about it, Dad, enjoy your "stuff." We'll take care of it when you are gone and even if we send it all to the dump, you won't know or care since you'll be dead!' I like her attitude. As for writing my memoir, that is the furthest thing from my mind. I hope I live in the moment until I draw the last breath. Wallowing in the past is just not my style. All the best - David
ReplyDeleteTo be clear, David, this memoir is about six months in my life only not the whole drawn out life thing which has been done as a stage piece. But that 6 months I have never written or talked about before. But I feel I can now and I view it as a memorable 6 months in many ways. Life is strange when taken in little chunks. And yes, your daughter is very, very wise and I'm not surprised. I think I will take her advice too. 😊
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I have a bag in which things go into for donations and they do not come, which is WHY I try to deliver the bag to where it's going ASAP. Downsizing is ongoing and this week, I found a home for 3 new and not needed coffee mugs, so progress is being made. I hve never read Jessie Sutanto so maybe a future read based on your recommendation.
ReplyDeleteGood for you Beatrice. I'm finding the shredding is time consuming even though I have an amazing shredder. It's boring as hell and there's a mad pile of it. I'll play some music maybe and make it go faster.
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Hello. I'm a friend of Elephants Child and she would like me to let you know her latest prognosis, but i don't have an email for you. Please email me at diane.patmore@gmail.com Thankyou.
ReplyDeleteI have the prognosis but thanks so much Dinah.
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Life becomes a slog at times and at those times I think we need to focus on survival first, surviving including the soul nourishing activities we need to keep our heads above water.
ReplyDeleteOnce we can get out of survival mode, then we can add to the to-do list.
As an aside, I think I would find shredding so therapeutic, I'd look forward to it :)
Hang in there, Mary.
I will take a fresh perspective on shredding Kylie. I have so much of it. Years of business (one has to keep records for 7 years!!) Now it's all digital. Less paper. Also years of writing workshops (hard copy). I'll be delighted when it's all done. More space for me.
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