Friday, January 18, 2013

My Storykeeper Odyssey, Vol 1: An Introduction


As you know, I’ve dedicated 2013 to writing all of my memories and my life story. I want to get all of my memories down on the page. I want to leave my trace on this world. I want my life to be remembered—as a life dedicated to journaling—and encouraging others to do the same. It is important to me.
I have decided to start over with the writing of my memoir. Earlier this week I made this decision and I am glad to have made it because it’s already taken on a life of its own. The title of my memoir is:
THE STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY, VOL. 1
It’s my story about my writing and journalkeeping.
I have lived—and God has me here, at this time, for a purpose. It is my life story and is my life’s purpose. God wants me to journal first, teach others to journal second, and write my life story third. Every day has a reason and an opportunity for me to live my God-given destiny. I can live a life fulfilled or one that is not. This is the how I will bring God maximum glory (and I will bear much fruit).
I will share some of the memoir here on this blog. But, some is far too personal, so I am going to share it in book format in its unedited, rough draft version at my store on Smashwords. So, check it out next week.

WHY SHOULD YOU READ MY MEMOIR?
Do you like to hear other people’s stories?
Do you want to get the most from and your of your life story?
Have you ever had a dream?
Do you want to know and live your life’s purpose—your big dream?
Have you had obstacles get in the way of you living your big dream and your life’s purpose?
Do you journal?
Do you want to write a book?
If you answered “yes” to any of the previous questions, this memoir, blog post series, and book are for you.

WHAT IS MY MEMOIR ABOUT EXACTLY?
It’s my journaling about my life as a writer and as a journalkeeper. It’s the story of my odyssey as I journal and write, and all of the obstacles that have tried to hinder me from doing either. It’s my story of how I’ve overcome. 

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Abiding

Journaling is how I abide in the Lord and in his Word..

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

There is a reason: A Journaling exercise or prompt

You are alive, and on this earth, for a reason. There is a purpose you are here, where you are, at this time, and the reason is very unique to you. It is what makes you who you are.

The question is: Are you living your life's purpose?

And, do you know your life's purpose? 

How are you living your life's purpose?

What does it mean to you?

How does it shape your priorities?

How does it shape how you live?

How do you live your life's purpose every day--all day long? 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

Rest, Review, and Journaling: A journaling exercise or prompt

How do you plan on resting this weekend?

What do you want to journal this weekend? 

How is 2013 so far?

how is your journaling in 2013 so far?

How is your writing in 2013?

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

Download

It's that time again to download the latest FREE version of THE JOURNALING & STORYKEEPER ENCYCLOPEDIA OF 2013 at my Smashwords Bookstore listed in the link below:

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013
The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

It's in the small details you find the most meaning


As you journal and/or write your story (your memoir), you start by writing the facts of a memory. you write a report like a reporter of just the facts, ma'am. This is the best way to start.

Then, you ask: who, what, where, when. why, how, and what-if questions and answer the endless possibilities.

Next, you add the five senses of: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste.

Finally, you look at the finer, smaller details, more minute--like the sight of Granny's gravy boat--what it looked like, what it meant, and how you have a gravy bowl you use, but it always makes you think of Granny's--and of her--and how much she meant and means to you. 

It's those smaller details that go to the heart of the matter--and the heart of our story. 

These are the memory snapshots. These are the memories we mine and we find the msot valuable treasure in these details and in these memories. 

Look at the smaller details in your journaling. This is when you are finally writing deeply. This is where your true exploration begins. This is what you include in your memoir. This is what you should journal most about. 

But, it takes all of those other steps to get to the heart of the matter. 

These smaller details mean the most and are what will capture your reader's attention mroe than than anything. they also define who you are and what makes you who you are and what make you tick. 

The smaller, finer details are what mean the most. 

It's in the small details you find the most meaning. 

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Memoir Writer

Daily Word Count Goals: A Tip and a Tracking System


I want to share this new Daily Word Count Goal Tracking System with the writers who read this blog. But, it would also work for journalkeepers to track if your journal each day--and if you want to do a minimum word count goal daily. 

I am always looking to streamline how I do things--regarding my writing and journaling. This includes how I keep track of my word count goals. Consequently, two weeks ago, I started a new system and it is one I like the most so far and, when I can write and am not trying to avoid getting really sick, I've found that I really like this new system and it inspires me. 

Now, you need to know that I started to write one version of my memoir and decided on a new angle, so I started to write the book over from the new angle. Therefore  I had to start all over with my word count goals. I still want to accomplish 1,000 words per day Monday-Friday of writing in 2013. Therefore  as of today, I have 14,000 words due that I need to write. I have 5,000. I am 9,000 words short, needless to day. And, it took me less than a minute to figure that all out because of my new word count goal tracking system. 

So, what is this new tracking system? 

I printed out on one page a 2013 calendar. At the top, I wrote, "Due: 1,000 words per day, Monday-Friday." Then, I wrote: "/ shows 1,000 words are due." Then, "X shows that 1,000 words were written. Meaning, I hand-write in a color ink one half of an "x" on the date that 1,000 words are due. I finish the X with another color of ink to designate that I got that word count goal done. 

Therefore, when I look at my calendar this morning, I can easily see that I have 9 days of writing I need to get done to get caught up. 

It's the easiest system I've found since I devoted myself to writing daily, Monday-Friday (at least) 11 years ago. I usually get about 1,000 words extra done on Saturday and Sunday as well, but I give myself two days a week to rest and if I get anything done, great. It's a bonus.  

I am sharing this with you because it is so easy and I cannot wait to watch as the days get more X's on it throughout the year. 

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Writer

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Making time to journal: Priorities

There just aren't enough hours in the day. Therefore, I cannot journal like I would like or what I would need. 

Busy! Hah! You wish you were just busy. Busy doesn't quite describe your life, does it? 

Does this sound familiar?

How do we find more time to journal in an already full day--never mind all of the interruptions that get thrown at us?

First and foremost, I think it is critical we look at our priorities. Do you even know what they are in your life? List them in order now. 

If it took you longer than a minute, I suggest stopping and really thinking about this. Your priorities should be so fresh in your mind at all times that you can list all of them in priority order in less than a minute.

Why is this important?

It's important to know your priorities, and the order of them, so that you can play your day, week, month, quarter, year, 5 years out, 10 years out, and 20 years out. 

And, if you know your priorities, if anyone asks you to do something, you can go through your priority list. If it fits in line with your priorities, you can say yes. If it doesn't, say no. But, if you say yes, does it push any of your other priories out of the way and shuffle the order of your priorities? If so, think again  you might want to say no. Your priorities must stay the priority and keep in the order you have decided. The top three to four always come first. Period. End of discussion. Your other priorities  you can cut a little slack with and not be so anal about  But, your top three, you must keep the top three--except in life and death situations. Other than life/death situations, you should keep your priorities. Period. 

Your priorities dictate everything you do. 

Go ahead. List them now, if you haven't already. Then, put them in priority order.

Now that you have your priorities straight, and in order, I have a couple of questions for you.

Do you believe in God? Is he number one? He should be.

Are you married? Do you have kids? What priority order did you put them in?

If your kids come before you spouse, you need to rethink your priorities. Who will be there, after all, when the kid leaves home? Who do you go to bed with at night? Who did you make a commitment to--by choice? Just saying.

Also, did your kids or spouse come before you in priority order? If they did, think again.Who was there when you were born? Who will be there when you die? Who is with you all the time? You are.

I am not saying to put yourself first in a narcissistic way. No. Rather  self-care should be the part of yourself that comes here in the priority order. If you don't take care of yourself, you aren't any use to anyone or anything else. 

So, your priorities should read something like this:
1 God (if you believe)
2 Self-care
3 Spouse
4 Kids
5 & on... Work, family .. Or whatever else you have. From here down, it's very personal. 

Journaling is part of self-care, by the way. As a matter of fact, journaling is the best part of self-care you can do, besides eating right and exercise. 

If your priorities are in order then your time should be filled with more free time than busyness. Why? Most busyness is because we forget what is important in our lives. We suck up too much of our lives with the unimportant and the things that are not our priorities.

Let me give you a hint as to how you can tell if you keep your priorities straight. If you open up your calendar/planner/schedule, it should reveal what your priorities are. If your calendar does not reflect your priorities, changes need to be made. Start today. Do not delay. This is critical. 

That being said, if you haven't kept your priorities straight, it will take a little bit of time to eliminate the unimportant from your schedule. Put your priorities on your calendar now. Go out a year with them. Then,in another month, go out another 6 six months. In another month, go out on your schedule another 6 months. Do this until you have a minimum of 5 years planned--where you are keeping your priorities straight. 

I know. How can you go out 5 years when you don't know hat's going to happen in 5 years? It's easy., If you are keeping your priorities straight, and are living them, you have at least a couple of hours of free-time in your schedule every day. On the weekends, you have at least three or four hours of free time. That's how you can make these plans out 5 years on your calendar. 

Then, keep your calendar out at least 5 years from here on out. Every month, add at least a month on your calendar so you can keep your priorities.

So, how do you make time to journal? See all of the above.

But, until you can devote an hour at least per day to journaling, you need to start to add it in your schedule--until you can devote at least an hour each day to it. So, how do you do that?

I said it before and I will say it again: Start with one sentence per day this week (at least). Then, next week, add another sentence per day. Then, the following week,a dd another sentence per week. Keep adding a sentence until you are writing pages per day and at least an hour per day. 

Another secret is to steal time. Did you know that each of us has 30-60 minutes per day of wasted time... And even more than that if you add commute time. We wait in line, we wait on hold on the phone, we sit on porcelain, we wait for an appointment, we drive, we have breaks during our workday, etc. Journal at these down times. We can write in a journal or speak into a voice recorder. Use your commute to speak into a voice recorder for some journaling. Then, type it up when you get home or on the weekend. 

Just adding those times can add pages of journaling each day. 

There was a time when I worked full-time, wrote full-time, and helped a friend raise her two boys and watched them for four to five hours a night, and I was still able to journal pages per day. It all depends on your priorities. 

I know if I journal, I have far more to offer those I love and to do the things that are my priority. After all, I am healthy and more energized. I can think clearly and am far more content. 

How do you journal more? Keep your priorities straight and steal the time. that's how. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013
The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

Your Bedroom: A Journaling prompt or exercise

Do the first part of this exercise while not in your bedroom.

Journal about your bedroom. What does it look like. How does it make you feel? What do you think there? What plans have you made there? What ideas have come to you? Is it a place of refuge? 

Now, go sit in your bedroom and journal about what you see. Describe what you see. Then, describe what you cannot see. 

What memories come to mind about your bedroom--now or in the past? 

Write whatever else comes to mind. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

Why?: A journaling exercise or prompt

Why do you write and why do you journal?

Take some time to answer that question. Be thorough. 

Then, put it down and take a break for an hour to two and answer the question again. Take some time to do so.

Then, wait 24 hours, do it again.

Then, wait a week and do it again. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

2013 and January Journaling and Memoir Class Notes and homework Summary

I just wanted to put all of the class notes here in one blog post to date so you don't have to hunt for them on this blog. These are the homework and class notes. Here they are in chronological order:

12/31/2012



1/1/2013

1/2/2013

1/4/2013

1/9/2013

1/14/2013 Week 3 Homework:




Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013
The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Monday, January 14, 2013

Writing Your Memoir and Your Idea List and File

YOUR IDEA LIST AND FILE
Your 125 memories and your Future Journaling List comprise your idea list and idea file for your memoir writing. This is where you put every single memory and possibility of something or someone to write about in your memoir writing--this book or in future books. This is your catch-all. It's your project file and contains everything that is possible now or later. 

This is your holding bed or crock pot of ideas that simmer for long periods of time as you sort out what to include exactly in your memoir--and what not to. 

Make sure to literally write anything that comes to mind: memories, thoughts, ideas  people, places, things, objects, experiences, memories, lessons learned, etc. that comes to you as you journal your rough draft. 

By the way, anything you do not include in your memoir still should get a journaling entry done on it to expand just the listing of future journaling. Write it out. There is a reason why it came to mind. Make sure to explore everything you can about it. 

Make sure to write it all down--anything that comes to mind--and keep in this catch-all list/file. 

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT
Think of how you want to write your memoir. Jot down anything that comes to mind.

Then, read through your list of 125 memories and jot down anything else that comes to mind.

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper

Writing Your Memoir: The Steps

What are the steps of writing a memoir?
1 Make a list of the first 125 memories in your life that come to mind.
2 Write a full account of each of the 125 memories. Do a SOC, a mining your memories exercise, and memory snapshots of each of the 125 memories. 
3 As you list and write about each of your 125 memories, other memories will come to mind. Make sure to jot those down on a Future Journaling List so they are not forgotten. They will be covered in another memoir that you will write later. 
4 Once you get all 125 memories journaled out and at least 1 page of journaling each, it's time to look at your old journal entries if you have them. Journal about what your recollection today is different, and the same, as when you wrote about it originally. If you did not keep past journals, skip this step.
5 Look at your journaling and see if any patterns emerge. Whatever patterns you see, or whatever seems to fit together is what you will write about in your first memoir. You may use only a handful of the 125 memories, or you may use a majority. See what feels right to you and what makes the most sense.
6 Start to write your memoir. Remember that a memoir does not go in chronological order. 
7 Finish your rough draft.
8 Edit your first draft.
9 Edit your second draft.
10 Edit your third draft.
11 Publish it. 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

The 5 Dimensions of Journaling

There are 5 dimensions every journaling entry covers. Every journaling entry covers at least one or more of these dimensions:

- Experiences
- People
- Places
- Objects/Things
- Thoughts

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

Meaning and Purpose: Journaling Exercise or Prompt

Journaling helps us to understand the meaning of our lives and the purpose of our lives.

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT
What gives your life meaning?

What is the purpose of your life? 

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013

What journaling offers

Journaling helps you to look at your inner life, what matters to you, and is writing them on the page.

Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper & Author
* My Storykeeper Odyssey in 2013: Journaling & Memoir
* The Journaling & Storykeeping Encyclopedia of 2013
The Journaling Path Blog Network: http://thejournalingpath.blogspot.com
dba Remembering Your Present, LLC & Storykeeper 2121

Journaling of the Soul: A Spiritual Journaling Odyssey


Journaling of the Soul is probably the most important journaling we can do. 

Journaling for your soul is going deeper with everything we do and everything we journal. It's not glossing over stuff. It's trying to find the heart of the matter of everything we journal. It's taking the time to get it all out on the page--and then explore the treasures of not just what was written, but why and for what purpose. It's trying to dive deeper into figuring out what makes you tick and what matters to you. 

So, let's take a look at that.

JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT
What matters to you?

What are your priorities?

Dopes your schedule reflect what matters to you and your priorities? 

~ Stacy Duplease
Journalkeeper

A SPIRITUAL JOURNALING ODYSSEY: A NEW BLOG POST SERIES


I am going to start a new journaling series. In time, I will do a series on every single type of journaling possible. This series is the second in this series. Each series will be an ongoing series, by the way. The 1st blog post series is of Memory Journaling. This 2nd series is on Spiritual Journaling. 

Spiritual Journaling is that of the spirit. It's what matters most to you and is what you believe--and why you believe it. You also might say that this type of journaling is journaling what is on your heart. 

AN INTRODUCTION TO SPIRITUAL OR BELIEF JOURNALING
Before we begin here we must answer a few very basic questions. First, who are we as individuals? Not simply our name or occupation, but who are we at our core, what is the essence and substance of who we are as individual people?

Secondly, what is it in each of us that will determine not only why we think and do what we do, but ultimately who we become in this life? What do we believe? Why do we believe what we believe? Those are foundational questions which we must answer. More importantly, how do we go about knowing and understanding what is right or wrong, correct or incorrect, and more importantly, why?  Much of how we answer these questions is based in what we understand to be true, but how do we determine what’s true or not true? 

Let’s walk together for a little while. In this and future volumes we will explore these questions and see if we can arrive at answers that can help us to make sense of some things. Who we are, what we’re made of (our character and integrity), and why we do what we do has to do with our belief system.

Our relationships, choices, careers, speech, behavior, and way of life, indeed our life path itself is impacted by our beliefs as well. In other words, everything we are and all we do is because of and based on our beliefs.

So, what do you, or don’t you, believe?

Even more importantly, why do you believe, or not believe, what you do?

When was the last time you really gave any serious thought to these questions?

I would venture to say most of us don’t evaluate what we believe or what we don’t believe on anything approaching a deep level very often, if at all. What a tragedy that is, my friend. If we do neither, we’re really walking around half empty and half alive. We’re going through the motions, but that’s really about it and that really isn’t a good way to live. We don’t really want to miss out on half of our lives. In order that we don’t, it’s time for us to devote some serious thought to our beliefs, and their antithesis, and maybe our unbelief, through Belief Journaling.

WHY AM I WRITING THIS BLOG POST SERIES?
As Socrates said, “The unexamined life is not worth living.”

I think many of us go through life without evaluating ourselves or analyzing our lives. Some of us might think highly of ourselves, but not in the way that leads to any significant self-improvement or growth, especially in the realm of maturity.

I also think most of us have no idea what we believe in full and are wrong about much of what we believe. We either have a faulty premise or a misunderstanding thereof.

Therefore, we really aren’t making our lives any easier and we surely fail to lead as deep a life as we could or should. In other words, we shortchange ourselves and live shallow lives. (Me included.)

We need to know what we believe, what we don’t, and why so we can live better lives and contribute to society (vs. take away from). After all, our beliefs are absolutely critical in our lives since they shape who we are, how we live, and ultimately who we become. This book is to help us think about our beliefs and why we believe them.

THIS ISN’T AN EASY PATH
Journaling, and spiritual journaling/belief journaling isn’t easy. It will take a lot of time, work, thought, and self-reflection.

Remember, there are easy paths in life, but the easy way is rarely the best way. Doing what’s right always takes more work. After all, if doing the right thing was easy, everyone would be doing it…right?

So, are you ready?

WHAT DO YOU BELIEVE?
A PLACE TO START

OPENING
Good day, my friend. I hope you’re doing well and are ready for your first real day of Belief Journaling. It will require a bit of work, but I’m sure you’re equal to the task. The reason it’ll take some effort and intentionality is because you can’t know what you believe, or don’t, unless you explore the depths of your inner being. In order to get to the depths, you have to work hard.

Most people identify self more as “what” they are. “I’m a parent” or “a cop” or “a doctor” or “a waitress” or some other occupation. Those are not who we are, but are only titles for what we do in order to earn a living. It reduces us to an occupation and can, if we’re not careful, rob us of our identity.

We are so done with that. It stops…now.

Answer the question: “Who are you?”

Now, we’ll probe the depths of self in an effort to learn “who” we are. Journaling will help you to get past the superficial layers and get to the core of who you are as a person, a human being, not just a worker in an occupation. What is your purpose? From what do you derive meaning? We’ll go forward and do our best to find out. Get in and buckle-up. This ride’s about to leave.

SOMETHING TO REMEMBER
What we have to keep in mind is some of this might appear a bit daunting at times. Don’t ever quit. I’m going to give suggestions with regard to time and page count. They are just that—suggestions. These are what work for me and are simply examples. These serve as something of a baseline and are not meant to be understood as absolute requirements. What works for you might take more, less, or about the same as far as time needed or pages or word count required, to accomplish a particular part of what we’re dealing with.

By the way, in rough-draft journaling I tend to be wordy. Your written expression might be wordy, too. If not, bless you! But if so, we’re kindred spirits! So again, the time and page/word counts are merely meant as guides. Keep that in the background as we embark on our journey. And also remember to keep your hands and feet in the ride at all times—safety always!

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING WHAT MAKES UP A PAGE OF WRITING
You’ll notice every journal on the market is a different size, shape, and color. Every journal holds a different word count because of the differences. Therefore, whenever I refer to a page of journaling, I refer to 350 words per page. Therefore, we can do the math and figure out what that looks like with each new journal you use from here.

If you use a paper and a pen journal, average the first 5 full pages of journaling you complete. You’ll probably have to write 2 to 3 pages of handwritten material before you get to that 350 word count. Make sure to take this into account and fulfill the proper amount of pages of journaling as requested.

If you have a computer, your page will, most likely hold more than 350 words, by the way, if it’s double spaced. So, take that into account, too.

Now that we have something of a standard, let’s take a look at a scenic point of interest on our way to Journaland: Reflection Questions. 

INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING REFLECTION QUESTIONS
Most blog posts in the upcoming weeks, regarding spiritual or belief journaling, will have a section called: REFLECTION QUESTIONS. They are questions to ponder and journal about as you explore the core of your being. Consequently, do not answer with “I don’t know” or “I’m not sure.” Also, don’t answer with just “yes” or “no.”

~[1] Answer each question as completely as you’re able. Explain your answer. Go into detail. Write as much as you can as quickly as possible. Capture your thoughts on the page.
~ With every answer, give at least 5 sentences of response—unless you are asked in that Reflection Question to give a longer response.
~ Once you answer the Reflection Questions in that section, go back and add an additional 2 to 6 sentences each. There’s a reason I ask for this repetition.

You’ll feel compelled to add to the responses you’ve previously given because each question is interdependent on the others. In a few days’ time, you may have more to add to them as well. These questions will often make us roll things around in our minds for a while. Needless to say, do so. The goal is to go as deep and be as thorough as possible.
All these tips will help with that endeavor.

So, shall we get started?

Grab your journals and let’s start to Belief Journal.

REFLECTION QUESTIONS
I suggest 2 to 5 pages for the following questions.

With regard to the first thing(s) which comes to mind, answer these and remember don’t discount anything that comes. Go deep. It all counts. List everything you can think of in list form and be extremely methodical.

~ 1. What do you believe? Why? Explain your answer.
~ 2. What don’t you believe? Why? Explain your answer.
~ 3. Do you believe in a Higher Power? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
~ 4. Do you believe in a God, many gods, or idols? Why or why not? Explain your answer.
~ 5. Do you believe in religion? Why or why not? Explain your answer.

CLOSING
I realize this is a time-consuming blog post, so we’re going to end it here. Keep thinking about your responses and make sure to add to them as needed over the next several days, several times a day, after you move to the next chapter. The longer you think on these things, the more you’ll have to add to the page. See you in the next blog post.


[1] Whenever you see ~ it’s there to draw attention to a new point, item, or bullet point. It also demarks something you’re supposed to do. 

MEMOIR WRITING


Have you always wanted to write your story? Or is it something that has just come upon your heart--and won't let go? Either way, this blog post is for you.

4 QUOTATIONS THAT MATTER
There is something really important you need to know before you take another step in the direction of writing your story. Listen carefully and read carefully.

Your story matters.

There is something else that is critical for you to understand:

Your story is sacred.

And, there is one more thing for you to know:

Your story matters, and is sacred, because it's exclusively yours--and because it intertwines with every single person you come across in your life--including those who hear about you and your story.

And, the final thing to know is that:

Every single person you come across, their story intertwines with yours and shapes and transforms your story.

Stop. Re-read those several times and let them sink in slowly, word by word. 

You should not write your memoir until each of those quotations sink in and you take them to heart. 

Go through and journal about each of those 4 quotes. 

Spend a couple of days fully digesting, pondering/contemplating, and journaling about these quotes before you continue to the next section of this blog post.

YOUR PAST JOURNALS
Given the 4 quotations written previously, what do you think I am going to say about your past journals? 

Here is the answer: Until you look back at your memories through today's lens, I would not look back at your previous journal entries. In other words, I would start to write my memoir today through journaling my past memories today. Then, I would go back and look at old journal entries--and journal about those--from today's perspective. I would then see what has changed and how my perception has changed. Also, I would look at how they've influenced the road I've traveled, how I got here  who I am today, and where I am headed in the future. 

This is critical. It is important to keep this in mind. Please re-read that previous paragraph and then read ahead. 

WHY SHOULD I NOT LOOK AT OLD JOURNAL ENTRIES FIRST?
They will cloud your perception today.

Figure out who you are today and where you stand today--then look back. After all, there is a reason why you see the things you do today and in the manner you see them. Do not ever shortchange this. Do not ever take this for granted. There is a reason why you perceive the things you do today. There is a reason why you remember the things, and in the way you remember them, today. Do not ever--and I mean EVER--not take this into consideration. It's important what you see and how yous ee things today. Your point-of-view today matters far more than it did then. 

The previous paragraph is critical and important and should not be overlooked or taken for granted. (Yes. I was just extremely redundant in what I said. That was intentional  I want to get your attention and cannot stress this enough.)

HOW TO WRITE YOUR MEMOIR: YOUR LIFE STORY
1 Figure out where you are today. Journal about things from today's perspective. Then, look at the past. Journal your memories from today's perspective. 

2 Then, look back at your old journal entries. Do a new journal entry talking about what you observed, including what you had forgotten, and how your perception of the memory and journal entry has changed and/or remained the same. 

3 Look for lessons learned--then and now. Journal about them from today's eyes. 

4 Look for patterns in your old and new journal entries. These are important. These patterns are what make your memoir and shape it. Journal about the patterns.

5 Taking everything mentioned in this blog post  including items 1-4, start to write your memoir. 

2013 STORYKEEPER ODYSSEY
I am taking 2013 to do #1. I have 125 memories I am focusing on. This is the first part of my memoir. Then, in 2014, I am going to look at items 2-5 and write the next part of my memoir. After all, I need to fully know where I am today in order to understand yesterday and get the most out of tomorrow. 

You can find your rhythm. But, whatever you do, make sure you look at things through today's point-of-view before you look at yesterday's or tomorrow's. 

2013 and January Journaling and Memoir Classes Notes and Homework

Week 3

CHECKING IN: JOURNALING EXERCISES OR PROMPTS
So, how is everything going with your journaling as you mine for the precious jewels of your life--your memories?

Have you started to see how special your memories are--and how they have brought you to where you are today and made you who you are today? Also, have you seen how they shape where you are headed as well?

How is your journaling coming along?

How many new memories have you added already to your Future Journaling List--on top of the 125 original memories we've done in this class?

By the way, if you want to chat about any of this in the Google+ community, even better. 

HOMEWORK FOR WEEK 3
Write about 7 memories this week at least. 

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO WITH WRITING EACH MEMORY? 
I have been quite vague up to here and haven't given you much instruction on how to write down your memories. There has been a reason. I've wanted you to try things your way and experiment to see what works and what doesn't work. 

Well, here is some new information for you to apply to your journaling of your memories:

SOC Journaling (See Stream of Consciousness):
Journaling Exercise or Prompt 

INTRO
If you were to ask me what type of journaling I do most, I would say I do the SOC the most. It's Stream of Conscious Journaling. I think 90 % or more of my journaling is this.
SOC Journaling is writing whatever comes to mind, without censoring or correcting it. It's putting whatever I think onto the page. Sometimes, I use a journaling prompt and/or journaling exercise, but how I respond, is through the SOC.

I try to do a DOC for at least 10 minutes at a time.

I do a separate SOC for every memorable thing I list in my journal each day. Sometimes I do this at the end of the day, sometimes at the end of the week and/or month, whenever I want to journal more about something, and sometimes when I get stuck and don't know what else to journal about. I do a SOC at the end of every JRT (Journaling Review Template) as well.

HOW TO DO A SOC JOURNALING EXERCISE OR PROMPT:
1. Write as fast as you can, however long you can, and don't stop until either the timer goes off, you get interrupted, or you have nothing more to say.
2. When finished, underline or star 3 of the most important points you wrote.
3. Write those 3 points you marked in #2 at the very end of your SOC. This is your reference point of stuff you want to write more about later.
4. Take one of the points listed in 2 and 3 and write more about it at this time--through doing a 5-10 minute SOC (or longer) at this time.

Stream of Consciousness Journaling

DEFINING THE SOC (STREAM OF CONSCIOUS WRITING)
A Stream of Consciousness (SOC) is a journal entry in which you write anything that comes to your mind, no matter how silly, outlandish, irrelevant, foolish, or futile, it may seem. There’s a reason for this; we’ll hit that in a bit. But write it all down even if it doesn’t seem relevant or appear at that moment to make sense.

Just make sure to write fast, don’t stop or even hesitate. Capture on the page anything that comes to mind, whether it’s just single-word thoughts, notions, or complete sentences.
The reason you do this is because you may not know what to write just yet, but that doesn’t mean there isn’t an infant thought there just waiting to be more fully developed in time.

Initially, your first thoughts may seem vague or unimportant. Not so! These are the ‘bare-bones’ thoughts which lead to a more contemplative expression at some point in the future. These thoughts are all gems which must be shaped and cut…fashioned by past events which you revisit—things you have not thought about (but probably should have) for years. The combination of things seemingly blurted on the page, along with the contemplations these entries generate, will expose them in their full brilliance at a later point. But that cannot happen unless you first capture them on the page. This brings us full circle.

For example: in the event you don’t have a fully developed thought, write in your journal, “I don’t know what to write, so I think…” Often by doing just that, you’ll get ideas of deeper things to write about. There will be days when that’s all you write for this exercise, but that’s okay. There will be other days when you do the SOC for an hour straight because you have so much to say. Capture it!

Make sure you don’t edit anything. Don’t worry about scribbles on the page or typing errors as you do the SOC. Just let them go until you’re finished with the SOC. Then, you can go back and fix stuff. Just as importantly, don’t delete anything. Ever. If you ever feel the need to make a neater presentation, that’s great. Just do not discard your rough draft(s).

It is crucial to remember humble beginnings. It is essential to remember origins. Your original thoughts on the page or in blank e-documents, scribbles, errors, and all, are worth keeping for just these reasons. To discard them is to discard your thoughts. Please don’t do that! Your thoughts are emblematic of your life—don’t throw them away!
Keep all of your original work not only to be reminded of things of the past, but also to give yourself the opportunity to track your own progress through a particular series of thoughts or time in your life.

It’s important to remember that a SOC is meant to extend the life of undeveloped thoughts and ideas. Editing is not the goal here—that comes at some point later. It can happen immediately, but sometimes editing your work is what happens days, months, or even years later.

This practice of keeping all your work will help you see your progression later to help you learn and comprehend how you grow. It’s also a great tool for review and personal analysis later. So, hang on to your drafts! It can be a wonderful thing to understand and therefore appreciate where you are by realizing where you’ve been. It can even help you to navigate to where you’re going.

THE “HOW TO” OF THE SOC
~ For 5 to 15 minutes (but of course you can go longer than that, if you wish) first thing in the morning, do an SOC entry. We’ll call this one your “Daily A.M. SOC.”
~ When you’re finished copy and paste what you want to write more about later into a new document/journal and title it what I’ll refer to as the “Future SOC List.”
~ Then, do a SOC any time during your day you get upset, need to vent, or need to work through a problem. Also, whenever you’re really inspired by something or are very pleased with something. Don’t forget to copy and paste what you want to write more about later and put it on your Future SOC List.
~ Finally, do the same thing at the end of your journaling day. We’ll call this one your “Daily P.M. SOC.”

As we discussed earlier, the SOC is a wonderful idea generator. I find it’s the single-most important tool in my journaling toolbox. I can write entire books from one sentence of my SOC. The key is even though it might not inspire you at the time, it’s important to review your SOCs because years later they can inspire you to write about something new and different.

 STRONGEST MEMORIES LISTS
PLEASE NOTE: If at any time you feel too upset to carry on with this journaling exercise, try to add more of a description of your positive memories. If that does not help you feel better, take an hour break. Then, try again. If you still are upset, take the rest of the day off of remembering stuff from the past. You might want to list recent memories instead for a while. List as many as you can. If none of this helps, you might consider talking to someone and see if that helps. Or, vent it out in your journal. My point is, if it is too difficult, do not push yourself too hard. Some discomfort is healthy, but not to the point of depression or fury.

~*~ What in your life do you not want to think about? List it.
~*~ What in your life do you not want to talk about? List it.
~*~ What in your life makes you feel uncomfortable--past, present, and past? List it.
~*~ What in your life do you want to avoid? List it.
~*~ Make a list of the top 10 strongest and most powerful memories in your life for the positive.
~*~ Make a list of the top 10 strongest and most powerful memories in your life for the negative.
~*~ Now go back and write a sentence or two summary of each of the 20 memories you just listed.
~*~ Wait a couple of hours and do your next ten strongest of each. Repeat all of the steps above with other memories you have not listed yet.
~*~ If you feel like it, repeat this until you have every strong memory you can think of written down.
  
Summarize Your Life Journaling
 If you were to summarize your life in 1-sentence, what would it be?
If you were to summarize your life in 2-sentences, what would they be?
If you were to summarize your life in 1-paragraph, what would it be?
If you were to summarize your life in 2-paragraphs, what would they be?
If you were to summarize your life in 1-page, what would it be?
If you were to summarize your life in 2-pages, what would they be?

Memory Snapshot Journaling

This is by far the most beneficial exercise you can for your memories.

* Part 1

1 List in your journal at least 5 memories of the past year you have or haven't mentioned previously. Give each of the 5 memories a memory title, date (or at least approximate season or month as well as year), how old you were, a paragraph description, and how it's shaped your life.
2 Choose 3 of the memories and write a page about each. List the 6 senses of: discernment/intuition, smell, sound, taste, touch, and sight. Also, answer who, what, where, when, why, how, and what-if questions to that memory. (You may also choose to do a SOC about them as well.)
3 Choose 2 of the memories which stand out to you the most and take 3-7 snapshots/photos of the memory with your imaginary camera. If the memory is crystal clear and you remember lots of detail, make it 7 snapshots. If it's foggy, make it 3. If it's in-between, you decide how many snapshots. Then, describe each in your journal. This will add about a paragraph per snapshot per memory.
4 Take 1 snapshot from each memory and write it from the perspective of a stranger who's looking into the moment. Remember, the stranger doesn't know any of the people or events in the snapshot until the stranger sees this snapshot for the first time. Be descriptive.
  
* Memory Snapshot Journaling: Part 2

OVERVIEW AND PLAN
Our memories have shaped or lives and who we are. Therefore, it is important for us to remember the good memories and the bad ones--not just the good and not just the bad. We even started to list some memories. Today, we are going to list even more memories and then we are going to start to actually doing the Memory Snapshot Journaling. After all, it has just been a list of possible memories so far.
Shall we dive right in and start to explore this?

WEEKLY LISTS
If at all possible, every week, do this exercise in preparation for Memory Snapshot Journaling.
~*~ List three new memories from the past you have not listed before.
~*~ List three memories you have made this week.

That is it. Imagine the goldmine you will have at the end of the year. Then, imagine this after five years, ten years, etc. How incredible would that be?

MEMORY SNAPSHOT JOURNALING
~*~ Pick a memory from the past you want to journal about more fully. Go through your journal at your memory lists if one does not come to mind.
~*~ Picture in your mind the memory. Play it from start to finish.
~*~ What three images jump out to you about the memory? List them.
~*~ With each of those snapshots, write what happened before, during, and after.
~*~ What did you see?
~*~ What did you hear?
~*~ What did you think?
~*~ How did you feel?
~*~ What did you smell?
~*~ What did you do?
~*~ Who was there?
~*~ What strikes you most about the memory?
~*~ How has this memory shaped who you are?

Then, do the same, but with a memory from the last week.
Ideally, you will do this exercise once a week.

Mining Your Memories with Lists: A Journaling Exercise or Prompt 

LIST TO DETAILS
The best journaling helps you to put your life on the page and leave your legacy. It also helps you to dig deeper and live a fuller, deeper, and more intentional life. This is where you start to live on purpose.

However, how do you do that? What does that look like and why would you want to do that?

It's important to mine your memories. That way, you learn what is really important to you and what is less important. Every memory you have is important, it's a matter of what you find most important today and how it has shaped you to be who you are and what you have done. Get them all down on the page in lists.

Then, you take items of each list and write more about each. You get to what is most important and what stands out most in your life--today. And you focus on that. You try to get every memory and every detail out of that (Whatever "that" is.)

For instance, take a simple coffee mug in my cabinet. It's one of two favorites. This seems simple enough and not very important. It's just a mug, after all. However, if I look further into it, the mugs are important to me.

There is a reason why they are my favorites. So, I need to explore this. How do I do that? 
First, I do a SOC.
Both read, HISTORIC JAMESTOWN.
MINING YOUR MEMORIES JOURNALING EXERCISE
Start with writing lists of your memories. Do all sorts of journaling prompts to make as many lists as possible (List suggestions: people, places, things/objects, memories, favorites, least favorites, 10 objects of each room of your house, songs, books, TV shows, games, specific years in your life, decades of your life, etc.).
Get it all down in the list--your memories and anything else that comes to mind. Do a SOC (Stream of Consciousness) writing to get them all down. Write down everything that comes to mind in a list.
Then, take three of those items and write more details about each. Do a SOC on each of the three items.
Do a word association, mind map, SOC, or anything else that comes to mind about each of the three items.
Take those three items and write a longer journal entry on each.
Write about the six senses of: smell, sight, smell, touch, taste, and perception/intuition on each of the three items.
Ask who, what, where, when, why, and how questions about each of the three items.
Then, a week from the time you finish this, do it again for this list. Choose three items to write more about.
Then, take two weeks off and do it again.
Then, take a month off and do it again.
Then, do it in three months.
Then, do it in 6 months.
Then, do it in one year.
Then, do it in 1.5 years.
Then, do it in two years.
Then, do it in 5 years.
Then, do it in 10 years.
Then do it in 20 years.
Then, do it in 25 years.

Memory Mining List 2: A journaling Exercise or Prompt
Take inventory of your stories. All of them. Make lists of each memory that comes to mind. Do this every day--including new memories and observations you made that day.
As memories come to you, make sure to get them down on the page.
Then, in time, write a paragraph of each and every memory you have.
As you find the time, journal 2 paragraphs of each memory, and then 3 paragraphs of each memory. Finally, of the most important memories, write 1-page or more of each memory.

ADDITIONAL RESOURCES