I sit here on the patio gazing across the yard at the little stream, the birds hopping and playing and the squirrels chasing each other. While I still have to wear my jacket to be warm enough, I think spring is finally on her way. At this time last week, we had a Winter Storm [...]
Note: A memoir essay is just a story from your life that isn’t book length. There’s no rules about how many pages — 1, 2, 10, 100 — just not enough to make a book. Below is a memoir essay; a short one so you get the idea. I hope you enjoy it! It’s the [...]
May 5th, Cinco De Mayo, my father-in-law would have celebrated his 74th birthday. Unfortunately, he passed away 14 years ago at the tender age of 60, so young. My husband and I are back in the area where my father-in-law is laid to rest after a 15 year absence. We got flowers and went to [...]
It’s been a rough 3 years. Four moves in three years but each time, for the better. Ever notice how the “event” that changes your life seemingly happens instantly but the recovery process takes forever? Not a completely true statement but that is the way it seems — or the way it is perceived. One of [...]
Two years ago this past December, I had the worst day of my life. I wrote about it in a short essay titled Something Was Wrong — A Daughter’s Story. It lives with me everyday. Two nights ago, I had a bit of deja vu. It was New Year’s Eve afternoon and we were moving [...]
Today, I was gearing up to clean house. This is quite a chore right now since we are also in the midst of packing and moving. But, since I had uncovered some dust and debris while wrapping and packing treasures to take to the new house, I figured now was as good a time as [...]
I walked to the steaming coffee pot this morning, after a pit stop in the bathroom, filled my Mickey Mouse mug to the brim with the aromatic brew and headed to the front porch. Still a bit chilly but I was hoping the cool, crisp air would lift the fog that had settled on my [...]
The prompt for this short memoir writing was – “A Serreal Moment in your Life.” The glorious light — amber, crimson, and gold with hints of azure — had a life unto itself. Beautiful even as it consumed its victim. Shimmering and swaying at the mercy of the wind, the dance continued. It would [...]
“This post is about me – I know, I know, why would anybody want to know about me and my life? I’m not a celebrity, tops in my field or famous in any way, shape, form or fashion (at least outside of my mind). I don’t have a rags to riches story nor have I overcome [...]
I sat in a hospital room with my father today. As I looked at him frail and weak, I couldn’t help but think how this person wasn’t daddy. It was, of course, but my memories are of a strong, full of life career Navy man. His flat top and straight posture always in attendance. His [...]
It can be intimidating, knowing where to begin. After all, you have a lifetime of information and memories floating around in your head. Recently, my brother came up with a wonderful gift for my parents — a journal to help them get started with their memoirs. The Story of a Lifetime: A Keepsake of Personal [...]
Since staying with my parents, we have developed a routine of taking our morning coffee on the front porch and discussing past days and years and supposing what the future holds. Mom sits on the porch swing, me on the old bench from a defunct pizza parlor and dad in a chair. I look at [...]
I have been trying to put together a story about my dad’s time in Vietnam. Earlier this year, he was finally listed as 100% Agent Orange diabled through the VA for one of his on-going ilnesses – Ischemic Heart Disease. Since we moved North, we have been staying with my parents while we recover a [...]
I have been diligently checking through my analytics to find out what people that are landing on my blog are searching for. Examples of memoir writing is near the top but another item bringing people how to write a story from your life. I have written a lot about story elements, what makes a tradition story and [...]
Discombobulation — yup, that about sums it up. The mother in me is having a hard time dealing with “no kids” after our recent transfer from Florida to Indiana. Our daughter will be joining us again in August. My logical mind knows this but the emotional side of my brain is still mourning for the [...]
I sat forward in my stadium seat, straining to get the first glimpse of Haley as the graduates marched in to the familiar strains of Pomp and Circumstance. It wasn’t easy to pick her out of the 677 students. They weren’t arranged alphabetically and she had just said, “right side, close to the middle”. Beside [...]
Moving is a pain but necessary for brighter tomorrows! Getting ready for a garage/moving sale tomorrow (5/21) and packing feverishly, so my online time is limited. My blog posts will be erratic at best until we get moved. I appreciate your continued reading! The good news is I am making new memories that I am [...]
Yes, I am finding that going through a similar situation, it gets easier. When we lost our business in the economic recession, it was like the end of our world. We were going through personal and business bankruptcies and keeping only family memorabilia. We sold everything else we owned to finance a move south in [...]
Life seems so much easier with a plan. Slow, comfortable and expected is a way of life for some people. However, my life has never been that way — I wouldn’t know what to do if it was! Fate, Karma and Luck have always had a lot of fun with me. If nothing else, I’m [...]
Where the Heck is Easy Street? Did I Miss the Exit? I hear on the news that the recession is over and things are improving. They have a different view from their window than the one from my small apartment. I thought I was on a parallel boulevard to Easy Street at one time: a small business owner [...]
The past couple of weeks have given me a roller coaster ride of emotions. Some I have cherished, others I will never forget and wish that I could. My dad had an emergency double by-pass on Sunday, February 20th. He came through the surgery wonderfully and was off the ventilator in record time. The prognosis [...]
Tomorrow (Sunday), about this time, my dad should be in post-op after having undergone open heart surgery for a double by-pass. I know these type surgeries are done everyday, successfully, but not to my dad. Sitting here, a thousand miles away, I feel helpless. I’m not sure what I would be doing if I was [...]
Natalie Goldberg and Lou Willett Stanek agree that “I Remember” are the magic words for memoir writers. This means you can do your research from an easy chair — close your eyes and say “I Remember”. What comes to mind? What’s first and what comes next. The mind doesn’t always work in linear fashion. One [...]
My parents just left after a two week visit with my family and my brother’s family here in Florida. I miss them so much… already. Each time we say goodbye, I wonder if I will ever see them again. They are both in their early 70′s and have a few health issues. Mom is doing [...]
One of the great things about life is all the choices we are able to make everyday. One of the bad things about life is all the choices we are able to make everyday. Contradiction? Sure. True? Sure. Writing, for me, is a way to get my thoughts and feelings out. It’s therapeutic, cleansing and helps [...]
Hi there! Welcome to my Writing Life Story blog. Putting your experiences and stories down on paper is one of my passions.
If you are interested in writing life story too, join me on the journey of discovery, learning and the how-to's of memoir writing. Check back often and comments are always welcome.
Mandee
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I have written all my life — some poetry, some personal essay, some memoir stories (longer than essay). I enjoy reading non-fiction as well as fiction. Life is about learning
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