In Your Own Words, the Art of Memoir Writing

You do not have to be famous to tell your story. Like most would-be writers, when 63-year-old Susie Baxter set out to write the history of her Suwannee farming family, she did not even know where to start.

And she surely did not think anyone would have an interest in reading it, let alone in buying it.

Now it may as well be on the bestseller list — at least among her family.

"They read it within the week and called me," Baxter said. "I was so thrilled that they were really happy to get it. Even my grandson read it from cover to cover in a week."

Baxter got started on her memoir in 2001 after her grandmother passed away. She registered for a writing class taught by former Gainesville resident Dr. Hilda Ross. After several years of research, interviews and revisions, Baxter published “C.G. and Ethel: A Family History” in June 2008.

Now she teaches that very same beginner’s class on memoir writing every year. The course provides general guidelines for writing your life history, and participants can then choose to take the second part of the class, which involves sharing aloud your writing with other authors.

The idea of condensing several years into an easy-to-read account can intimidate beginning writers. However, documenting your life story does not necessarily mean writing a lengthy autobiography and it can take whatever shape you wish.

"Memoirs can take a small section of life and focus just on that," Baxter said.

Baxter advises her students to hone in on a specific event or time period. She uses fill-in-the-blank questions (“The job that brought me the most satisfaction was....”) to jog her students’ memories.

"We do exercises that help them focus on a particular theme," Baxter said. "A lot of people take it by decades, according to where they lived or what their career was or when their children were born."

With technology at its peak, it is easier than ever to research family history on public records databases and genealogy Web sites. This research can be a good branching off point for writing a memoir or story.

"There's so much on the Internet that you can get that's free and in the public domain," Baxter said. "Most Seniors, if they don't know how to use computers, can learn."

In preparing to write her book, Baxter interviewed her parents, C.G. and Ethel Howell, about their family ancestry and history dating all the way back to the 1800s. With a pen and legal pad in hand, she scribbled notes as the two fielded many a question about their early lives. In the process, Baxter said she heard some stories for the very first time.

"It really makes you appreciate where they came from and makes you appreciate what you have," Baxter said.

Of course, compiling your information is the easy part. Writing can be a different story.

When you start, do not worry about the outcome or not finishing 1-2-3. It is more important to get the words on paper — you can always revise it later.

Try not to limit your story to accomplishments and accolades. Do not be afraid to reveal some of the more serious, humbling times in your life — even the sad ones.

Whether the subject matter is funny, happy, serious, or sad, it is your story and your voice.

For those who believe taking a class or two is not enough, try hiring a professional writing coach. Several freelance writers advertise their services online on Web sites like the popular Craigslist.

Seek out someone who will give you guidance rather than write your memoir for you.

"If you hire a ghostwriter to do it, it's their voice, not yours," Baxter said.

Writing workshops can also provide invaluable feedback. One of the most renowned is the local Writing the Region Writers Workshop held every summer in honor of Marjorie Kinnan Rawlings. The next workshop is scheduled for July 25 to August 2, 2009, and participants must register prior to attending. Call 917-226-2588 for more information.

"I think every writer should treat themselves to [Writing the Region]," Baxter said. "It's not free, but it's well worth the money."

How-to books are also great resources. Baxter recommends Hilda Ross’ workbook, “Writing Your Life History: A Journey of Self-Discovery,” which is available at the Alachua County Library District’s branch libraries.

After writing your story, or at least a good chunk of it, Baxter recommends having about five people read it and provide feedback. Be careful with constructive criticism, however

"I usually recommend that my students not change something just because one person tells them to, unless there are two or three people with the same advice," Baxter said

Once you have the finished product on your hands, publishing it can assure it is never lost or forgotten. Depending on how widely circulated you would like your writing to be, publishing can be done inexpensively through a local printer or on a larger scale with the help of a literary agent.

Baxter's next memoir-writing class will be held in March 2009, on every Tuesday of the month, at 3 p.m. inside the meeting room of the Tower Road Branch Library in Gainesville. Call 352-339-2033 to register.

People of all ages and backgrounds are welcome

"Everybody has a story to tell," Baxter said.

Laura Wright is a writer and editorial assistant. She may be contacted at laura@towerpublications.com.