Anonymous Lives
A few months ago US author, Bill Bryson, made a comment about tales of 'some anonymous person's life' and self-published books being of 'no interest'. Just about everyone online was immediately furious and rushed to write livid responses.
Life is too short for getting caught up with online fury. But Bryson's comments did get me thinking.
A Forgotten Memoir
Last year, tucked away amongst discarded bestsellers in an op shop, I found a little yellow booklet 'A Bit Over The Top - And other stories of a Canterbury boyhood 1925 - 1936' by W J Foote. Typewritten, with a handful of sketched black and white illustrations and just 54 pages long - it looked sort of intereseting. I bought it, read it, loved it.
Foote recounts tales of fishing and cricket and people like the elderly lady who took in 'welfare boys' and cut their hair with shears giving a 'peculiar terraced effect'. And a fellow who would jump out of a hedge with a raised axe shouting 'Ha, gotcha that time'. He remembers his school days and the trials of choosing subjects and passing tests. It's a warm, funny and engaging look back at his childhood and life in a different time. I loved it and reading it was time well spent.
Writing A Life Story
I am in awe of anyone with the self discipline to sit down and write a book, but what drives people to write this kind of autobiographical stuff?
Author and writing coach, Jo Bailey, has run many workshops for those wanting to write their life story. One of her 'star pupils', published his first book in his early 80s, all about the South Island professional cycle races and the characters involved. The book is called The Spoken Word and the author is Alan Pegley, check it out.
"Most of the people who come to my courses are in the 50-plus age group, who perhaps have a bit more time to commit to writing their stories, and are at a stage of their life when they have more to share," says Jo. "Most are interested in writing their own memoirs or family stories, usually for themselves or family."
Jo helps workshop attendees to create a 'roadmap' for writing their memoir and discusses how to tackle tricky subjects and people in a considered way. But, her key tip for creating a readable memoir is to write in your own voice.
"When people pick up a memoir someone has written, I believe the writing should sound like they are telling you a story over a cuppa," she explains.
You can find out more about Jo and her workshops here.
And if you'd like to read some more amazing memoirs of 'anonymous' lives then check out this great selection.