Back to Jerry.
In Memoir Revolution you talk about the psychology of memoir writing. I’m interested in that aspect as well and would like to ask you a few questions about it.
Madeline: In your experience, how does memoir writing aid healing? This is a subject very near and dear to my heart.Jerry: For many years, journal writing has been used by individuals to help them improve self-understanding and weather emotional storms. When I was in my twenties, I went through a period of deep confusion. To survive, I wrote an hour a day in my journal. Those writing sessions were like a lifeline that kept me sane. I’ve heard of many other stories from people who journal or who otherwise turn to writing as a form of healing.However, journaling is hardly ever intended for any other eyes than our own. As a result, even though we’ve reduced our confusion, we still might feel very much alone. When I realized I could develop a story that would allow me to share my life experience, I discovered a fascinating new healing dimension to writing.
I could go on and on about this subject, which is exactly why I wrote Memoir Revolution.
Madeline: And I highly recommend that all interested in memoir read Memoir Revolution. Here’s another subject that comes up among memoirists all the time. Do you advocate telling our deepest darkest secrets in our memoirs?
So when I think of telling secrets in memoirs, to me that means revealing our unique lives as we actually lived them. I think it is liberating to stop pretending we are exactly like each other, and to fully admit that we are unique.
Jerry: I’ve been working on my own memoir since 2004. I have found it to be one of the most creatively stimulating periods of my life. I never wrote stories, so I am learning to construct a story. This is a fascinating learning process! I like the way you phrase the question, challenges and fun. In fact, the challenges ARE the fun, because I learn so much from striving towards excellence. In addition to organizing the material, I have been motivated to learn many microskills such as dialog, story structure, description, scene building. I’m still learning!
My real mission, the thing that gets me springing out of bed in the morning and racing to my writing desk, is joining together with everyone in the world who wants to write their stories. I’ve written a couple of books about this, including a unique one called Four Elements for Writers, a self-help book for aspiring writers who want to overcome the psychological obstacles such as self-doubt, finding the time, and embracing their audience. Based on workshops I offer to help overcome internal obstacles, I published the first version in 2005 and made it available from my website. I am rewriting that in an updated format, and will release it on Amazon in paper and eBook sometime later this year under the new title, Writers: Train Your Brain!
Memoir Revolution Synopsis
In Memoir Revolution, Jerry Waxler shows how memoirs link us to the ancient, pervasive system of thought called The Story. By translating our lives into memoirs, we discover the meaning and purpose that eludes us when we view ourselves only through the lens of memory. When we share these stories, we create deep connection and mutual understanding.
The author traces the emergence of the Memoir Revolution through his own journey from rebellion and chaos in the 60s; from mysticism to computers in the 70s; and from receiving talk therapy to providing it in the 80s and 90s. Through extensive commentary on over 100 memoirs, self-help and fictional works, Waxler draws you into the power of this literary movement, where you can find a voice for your own life experience.
Jerry Waxler shares his passion for life story writing on the blog Memory Writers Network which contains 100s of essays, interviews and book reviews. His two books, Learn to Write a Memoir and Four Elements for Writers are available from jerrywaxler.com. He teaches nonfiction writing at Northampton Community College in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, is on the board of directors of the Philadelphia Writers Conference, and is an advisor to the National Association of Memoir writers. He has a B.A. in Physics and M.S. in Counseling Psychology.
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