WRITING A MEMOIR

As a former TV presenter, Susie Anderson is no stranger to taking centre stage. This week, however, Susie took to the lectern at the Weekly Club Meeting as our guest speaker and immediately challenged the audience members to write their own stories. She had placed pens and paper on each table, encouraging everyone to start jotting down ideas for their memoirs. No time like the present! She addressed common concerns people had about writing their life stories, emphasising that everyone had a unique and valuable story to tell.
She acknowledged people's common hesitations when contemplating writing their memoirs, including feeling like they aren't writers or worrying that their lives haven't been extraordinary enough. Susie urged the audience to see this endeavour as a precious gift to leave for their families and as a record of a bygone era.
To guide the process, Susie advised setting aside specific time dedicated to writing and prompted the audience with questions like "Who was I? What have I done? Where have I been?" She emphasised the importance of creating chapter headings, providing suggestions such as childhood memories, education, career, relationships, hobbies, travels, and present life.
Encouraging the use of old photos to trigger memories and describe different eras, Susie advised that some writers might decide to focus on specific parts of their lives. In contrast, others may prefer to capture their entire life journey. Irrespective of the approach, Susie assured members that the task is less daunting than it seems.
She emphasised the significance of using one's own language and voice, recommending jotting down thoughts about the past as they came, even the painful or difficult experiences that had shaped their lives.
Susie shared anecdotes from her writing experiences, such as surprising and fascinating insights about famous female aviators she gained from attending a talk by Gaby Kennard and from interviewing Nancy Bird, illustrating the importance of delving deeper into research and personal encounters to uncover the truth and emotional depth behind the stories. 
She advised against just listing facts, encouraging writers to vividly describe the details of their past, including family life, surroundings, and personal experiences. Susie also stressed the significance of immersing oneself in the places they were writing about to make the stories more authentic.
Acknowledging the challenge of writing about living individuals, Susie recommended honesty in storytelling without aiming for revenge or anger when depicting others. She highlighted the importance of capturing small, fascinating details to engage readers.
Transitioning into a Q&A session, Susie addressed questions and shared insights, again, encouraging the audience to consider writing as a way to preserve their memories for future generations. She offered support, advice, and encouragement. Now it's time for members to take up the challenge and leave a literary legacy, remembering that for success, write regularly at a designated time, carry a notepad and pen and capture the feelings as well as the facts.