A Decade of Writing a Memoir … my story.
I started writing a memoir in 2015. My first draft had a total of fifteen hundred words. Which was a disappointment for me because I thought I had so much to say. But felt lost. To be honest, I didn’t know how to show you, my story. So, I frantically searched my journals hoping to find turning points in my life to fit into my manuscript. But I also felt embarrassed to discover many failures in my life.
What I’ve learned is that thirty years of a failed life can be erased with a moment of joy. When you find meaning and purpose in all you do, love conquers all.
Ten years is a long time for writing a memoir, don’t you think. I must admit it’s been an amazing decade of learning the craft. I’ve read many books about structure and writing in scenes. And it’s challenging but everything slowly came together when I started watching the first season of Stranger Things.
I’ve learned to use various strategies such as flashbacks, foreshadowing and worldbuilding in my writing. Oh, and not forgetting I’ve killed many darlings too. It’s helped me piece my coming-of-age story together. And I can’t wait to watch the final season of Stranger Things this November when the full story of what happened in the first season is revealed. Breaking all the rules!
In this post, I share why finishing what you start is really a step forward from getting unstuck.
The Stories We Tell Ourselves
I come from a family of storytellers. As a young child I’d sit with mom for hours listening to stories of how she and her family survived the Japanese occupation in Singapore. Growing older, I’ve kept her stories in my heart because her words gave me hope to never give up in my own life. And I hope my story will pass on that same hope to you too.
Ten years ago, I was a naïve writer sowing the seeds of possibilities. Wishing and hoping! That someday, I’ll complete my book and publish it. I believed my story will help you understand why we get stuck and how to move on. But it was hard for me to convince myself that I was capable to write this story. Trust me it’s really a hard story to tell. So, here is where I show you the steps I took to reach here.
The first step you must take is to believe in yourself even when no one else will. The craft of writing is a constant roller coaster ride where in many instances I’ve landed at the bottom of the ladder. Perseverance has helped me to work my way up again by developing my writing craft through constant practice of reading and writing. And with watching TV series and movie, I learned the skills of storytelling. The most important lesson of all time is to ignore the naysayers voice. Never let them rent a space in your mind. Both the physical and the internal doubt. Let them go!
The World is your Oyster
I didn’t just want to write and tell you my story, I wanted my story to come alive so you can feel yourself walking with me into a different realm. One where anything is possible. As an observer experience everything real and firsthand.
Let’s face it! We all want to experience the extraordinary in life. To escape the everyday norm of routine and monotony. And that’s okay! It’s what inspires us to keep going. In a good way.
If you would like to read deleted scenes from my memoir, use the form below to download them.
What if I tell you, the world is filled with endless opportunities waiting for you to discover. And that you can achieve your life endeavors if you work hard and set your mind to follow your dreams.
There is so much noise in the external environment and often many of us are lost in all the chaos. I’d like to think that somehow, we can find our way back to ourselves. And perhaps learn to create the poetry of our life … on our terms.
My Journey with Writing
Writing is my go to task when I’m feeling lost. I’ve been journaling since I was six. And it has given me a whole different perspective on the way I see myself in this world. I wish for you to find the same.
Writing my story involves a lot of unlearning what I picked up from school. So, I could listen to the unseen. And I’ve found my way back to the path I was meant to be. There is so many talented authors with valuable advice to learn from. But I had to do the hard work of sieving through the noise. I’ve been overwhelmed by it. But rather than dwell in a sea of chaos, I chose to take a break and continue with a breath of fresh air.
Many of us will fall or get lost but when you know who you are in all this chaos, that truth is like a precious pearl. Remain true to yourself and know that nothing is impossible. And my wish for you is to search and know who you are. Because I’m sure you are an incredible person.
If you dream of writing your story, what are you waiting for. Listen to your inner guide and writing the poetry of my life!!!
