Where do I Begin?

"I have so much to say; I just don't know where to start!"

(If I lost an ounce for every time I've heard someone say this, I'd be one skinny woman.)

One of the distinguishing characteristics of memoir writing is that one's memoirs are cut into slices so that each slice makes a good story. And that may be one of the reasons it is hard to know where to start. Autobiographies begin in the beginning, but memoirs may--and do!--start anywhere.

Here's a couple of ideas:

Begin right before a turning point in your life. What did you want right before the turning point? Begin with your desire. A soldier might desire to be courageous in a firefight. A young woman who is up for a promotion might want to be the most sophisticated and intelligent candidate. A man who is proposing to his beloved might want to quell the acid burning a hole in his gut while, at the same time, winning his darling's heart. A younger brother might desire to be accepted by his older brothers as they go out on the town.

Begin in the middle of a crisis. For example, in telling the story of sneaking out with buddies/girlfriends, begin with your mother's fury when she meets you at the door the next morning: "Where were you last night?"

Begin with the inner conflict. Often what we wanted growing up and what our parents wanted for us were in opposition. This is a story of struggle for sure, and, perhaps compromise, perhaps regret, perhaps triumph, perhaps courage, perhaps "mom/dad knew best" or perhaps not.