Taking the summer off to write my memoir….led to the truth of needing more time.
The first two months I write nothing…sitting in freeze mode. then flipping it and giving myself permission to not write.
Not do anything. I’ve worked steady since the age of twelve. Entrepreneur since 24. The “business ME” feeling like she’s always doing. so cutting myself some slack.
The home(s) you grew up in…. tell me the story.
To break through the writing ennui I ask “what can I do?” “what will be fun?” My guidance said draw them; which means opening up my cad* program to build in plan form all the floor plans of my childhood homes (ages 0-14). Zillow becomes my friend.
There are markers in your life.
The Befores.
The Afters.
The house at…
486 Irving Ave.
The River House.
The Osborne Lane House.
480 Irving Ave House.
Four houses in New Jersey.
Five house in Florida (ages 14-18)… Every move is tied to money. Being broke, making money, having money, losing money, borrowing money. The cycle repeating itself over and over again.
All the houses gift me their before and after stories.
When you go back into the past you’re excavating memories. Each house has a story to share about family, love, money and power. Those childhood houses spoke their messages to me. Laying the foundation for the story aka memoir.
In your life there may be a theme present to each house you’ve lived in… there may be joy. There may be soul loss. A theme will emerge. For me it’s around belonging, connection, safety, isolation and abandonment.
When I start writing there are bits and pieces scattered through the years… of writing then stopping. 20,000 words here. Digital journals there. Making my way through it.
At times the content became too much for my psyche and Word program so I edited and sorted all of the digital content into Scrivener.
At 150,000 words there’s enough content for two books; the “shitty first draft” is done, and now being distilled. So yay!
