Why did you start where you did?

[Bluegate]

Why did you decide to start your memoir where you did? Of all the places you could have started your story why did you start there?

I have wanted to ask this question for awhile now but was shy of doing so because it seemed like a no brainer. In novels or scripts we start with the action but memoir is a little different in some ways.
I can understand that everyone just starts where it feels right but I am really curious about why...why did it feel right to start there?

[Newport2Newport]

Great question, Bluegate! I look forward to hearing everyone's answers.

I begin my book* by describing the first tent revival meeting I remember. The story of the Miracle Baby--my story--was the centerpiece of my father's sermon that night, and my memoir begins and ends with its impact.

*CAN I GET A WITNESS: Memoir of a Tent Evangelist's Daughter

[bclement412]

I'm not a memoir writer, but if I was, I'd pick the scene that starts the story-- the one that gets the ideas and themes rolling, and the one will play an important role by the end of the book. Or maybe pick the one that really stands out when reflecting on your past. I doubt that was any help, but that's just the point of view of a fiction writer :)

[Red Bird]

Great question, Bluegate.

I started my memoir with my work situation because it allows me to reveal my present day self and pull from the past, too. My first patient has an identity problem because she was raised by a black woman, but her father was white. She didn't know him. Anyway, I started with her because my mother had some of the same issues. In order to be fair to my mother's story, which includes the mistreatment of her children, I wanted to show how she became a woman who would have little emotional attachment to her kids.

Fever gone?

[Organique Gal]

For me it was a turning point in my life. My mom's death sparked a series of events that completely turned my world upside down.

[Bluegate]

Hey guys! These are very interesting responses by everyone. I think it is very helpful to hear how and why you chose the starting places you did. Thank you very much for sharing this.

I do still have that blasted fever Red Bird, thank you for asking. I'm keeping my fevered paws away from any real writing and trying to study between naps. I am so bored.

I'm not a memoir writer, but if I was, I'd pick the scene that starts the story-- the one that gets the ideas and themes rolling, and the one will play an important role by the end of the book. Or maybe pick the one that really stands out when reflecting on your past. I doubt that was any help, but that's just the point of view of a fiction writer :)

You know I think this does help and when I look at what the others have posted here I see that they have gravitated toward this very thing. Fiction or memoir, it still has to read as a good story.

[jerrywaxler]

Hi Bluegate,

Thanks for asking this fabulous question. I think it has two different answers depending on what aspect of memoir you're looking at.

First, when crafting the story, one needs to understand the driving emotional force. From that point of the view the story "Begins" with the major emotional challenge. The writer sets up a challenge at the beginning, and then goes through the journey of the book to resolve the challenge by the end. My challenge as a young man was to figure out who the heck I am and how the heck I'm going to fit in to life. So for now (I'm only on the third revision), in my first chapter, I'm a nerd in all boys academic high school, struggling to relate to the people around me.

The second answer has to do with what the final published book will look like. A lot of teachers and agents etc want us to have a hot scene in the beginning, like an action scene, to get the reader instantly engaged. I have not yet found a hard driving scene. But maybe in a few drafts, I'll think of a different scene for the opening. Or maybe I'll be happy to start with walking through my high school hall, trying to make nerdy jokes.

One of the best writing tips is that you should write the kind of book you like to read. After a lifetime of reading books, I know for sure that I don't read a book because of the first couple of pages. Instead if I'm attracted by the blurb, and the reviews, and if the book makes it to my pile, I don't mind reading a few pages while the author is setting up the scene and plot, even if the initial setup is not particularly exciting.

Jerry

[Alpha Echo]

What a great question. I don't write memoirs though I have thought about it and am not ruling it out completely.

If I were to start...well, last year, I would have chosen the beginning of the relationship with the man I was divorcing. Because that was where it all started, I guess, since at the time, I think my memoir would be focused on life and love and where that brought me. How I ultimately found myself after many ups and downs, trials and errors.

Now, I'm not sure where I'd start or when. I guess like others have said it would depend on what I'm trying to show through my memoir. What am I trying to say to the readers? Then I'd search for a relevant story from my life and start there.

Now you have me curious about writing a memoir....

But I need to finish my WIP first! Don't throw me off track!

[jlhooker888]

mine is about my childhood of abuse and molestations by my stepfather and how that experience influenced my life. it has haunted me for over 50+ years the pain i went through and I have now decided to tell it all. I have named it "Putting Out The Fire".

[Bluegate]

jlhooker888 :welcome:

It's so great to have some new blood...er, I mean new meat...oh, dang it! Well, welcome to our little corner of AW. Pull up a chair and make yourself at home.

[Bluegate]

Alpha Echo you bring out a very good point. Peoples' lives are not neatly broken up into chapters with clear starting and stopping points. One thing bleeds into another with the fluidity of a watercolor. Depending on where your standing at the moment a thing appears to start at one point but give it a little time and suddenly you realize it actually all started way before that. Fictional characters walk onto the page wherever we start them. Real life people usually start about five books before that.

[Chrisla]

Interesting question and interesting responses. I don't think memoir is too different from fiction in the need for the right opening.

I started with a scene where my family is camped out alongside the road because 1) the tug-of-war between my mother and my paternal grandfather (the primary conflict in the story) took us back and forth over the old road between Texas and California, so the road is one of my most vivid memories; 2) it's an interesting scene that (I hope) grabs the reader's interest; and 3) it immediately draws the reader into a different era.

[Bluegate]

Organique Girl have you posted any of your memoir? I wonder that you and Jerry might have some interesting comparisons in your lives.

Chrisla I love the idea of the road in your story. I have done that run before and nothing quite compares to those long dry stretches of road in Texas. Sheesh, that state is big.
Your story actually starts before your birth doesn't it? Also a very interesting choice.

[Seams]

Hello Blue,

in answer to your question, I started where I did because my first memories are never my own, so I have to steal them from others, that heresay, until i reached the age, where my memoirs(i still feel weird saying that) become my own, then I start at my beginning, not theirs.

[Bluegate]

Hello Blue,

in answer to your question, I started where I did because my first memories are never my own, so I have to steal them from others, that heresay, until i reached the age, where my memoirs(i still feel weird saying that) become my own, then I start at my beginning, not theirs.


This is interesting. I would love it if you expounded a bit more on this. I do think I understand but would really like to hear more of your thoughts on this.

[Bushrat]

My book (about living in the bush) starts in early winter, when I spend 3 1/2 months by myself. I think that gives the reader a much more intimate intro to the wilderness and me because it helps to convey the isolation and the big role the land and animals play. Also, the effects of isolation are a theme in my book and this way, the reader gets thrown right into what it's like to be the sole human being, how your mind and personality adapt.
The story then goes on to recount the return of my partner, assorted adventures in spring, summer and fall, and then ends with the following winter. This time, the reader is already familiar with the pariculars of that season - the peace, quiet, intensity of it which for me is the true essence of wilderness. I think that gives the book a nice rounded ending because it refers to the beginning.

[Kwill]

Hi Bluegate, The 'how' of where our story starts was originally with the date of my husbands birth, his writing style is Marine Corp battle summary. Now, because of some good advise(wink) I have taken over from here and added detail.
Talking to my husband about his past, different things, the beginning now is at a time when he was reflecting on what to do, it was very picturesque and has regional appeal I guess.
It just seemed right, and I really like the scene that he described. When he was telling me about it I saw that it would be a great way to begin.

He is sitting on a lava rock watching the waves and the sunset, wondering and remembering. That is when he saw the greenflash.

It just seemed like a good beginning.

[Bluegate]

This has been so interesting to learn where everyone started their stories and why. In fiction there is so much importance given to the first sentence, the first page and so much thought and imagination are focused on it. In memoir, your life is what it is, so it seems to pose a unique challenge. It has been fascinating to hear all your stories. Thank you again for taking the time to share them. I know that others will learn as much from them as I have.

[Newport2Newport]

Speaking of starting points (we're still discussing this, right?), ...I just came across this wonderful blog post, "Where Does A Story Begin?" (http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-does-story-begin.html) Though written for novelists, I think it has cross-over value for us memoirists.

The author suggests several guidelines for beginning our stories (with examples!), but advises us not to get all angsty. Why? Because "writing is not about hooking the reader at the beginning. It's about hooking the reader and keeping her hooked for every single sentence."

Oh yeah...that. :)

I like reading craft-related articles at the start of the day; they help jump-start my own writing. I enjoyed this author's voice and appreciated the fresh perspectives on familiar concepts. Should you choose to read it for yourself, I'd love to hear your take-aways.

Hope your Monday goes well, and that the week gets even better from there. Happy writing, everyone!

[jerrywaxler]

Wow, You have found a beautiful, generous writing blog (http://helpineedapublisher.blogspot.com/2010/01/where-does-story-begin.html). Good work! There are some wonderful advisors out there, and I just love how many people are willing to help others. Thanks!



Jerry

[johnrobison]

My next book starts on a darkened stage, Madison Square Garden in New York. Spotlights sweep the crowd. What's next?

That draws the reader into the story, but as other people have said, you have to keep readers engaged. So it has to start out interesting and stay that way.

[Bluegate]

My next book starts on a darkened stage, Madison Square Garden in New York. Spotlights sweep the crowd. What's next?

That draws the reader into the story, but as other people have said, you have to keep readers engaged. So it has to start out interesting and stay that way.

That image does draw me in very quickly.

[jlhooker888]

Thks all for all of the valuable input on you critique of my autobio. It was very helpful. I will be putting some of the changes in . thks bluegate, seams and red.

[Bluegate]

Thks all for all of the valuable input on you critique of my autobio. It was very helpful. I will be putting some of the changes in . thks bluegate, seams and red.

Whoops, almost missed your comment here. You are very welcome Tlhooker. I hope you found something worthwhile in the crits to work with.

[aruna]

For me, too, it was obvious. My 12 month backpacker trip through South America ended up with me in jail in Colombia (for grass) and no way out. It was a time of great distress that led to the inner revolution that in turn led to the second journey, to India. So I start with the prison episode, then backtrack to the start of that journey.
No different from fiction, really.

[Bluegate]

Aruna that sounds like a pretty dramatic spot to start from. As a person that must have been awful and terrifying as a writer that's great material.

[aruna]

Aruna that sounds like a pretty dramatic spot to start from. As a person that must have been awful and terrifying


It certainly was... and that's what makes it the pivot of my story: the end of one adventure, and the start of another. The story I htink is in itself great... I just have to write it well enough. With the wisdom of hindsight I can even see a lot of humour in it. Like the time my prisonmate, a prostitute, walked into my room (we had rooms, not cells) and found me standing on my head. You should have heard her shriek! She thought I was crazy!

[Bluestone]

I just came across this thread, so I hope no one minds my picking it up again, because I think it is an interesting subject. I liked the blog that Newport introduced too and think it's absolutely applicable to good writing of any genre.

For me, it was a period that included an FBI sting, Grand Jury testimony, and the downfall of doctors who elevated patient care at the same time they allowed their greed to bring about their own demise. Because it has to be much more than our own personal story, I'm thinking about it in a social context too, and an inside look at a profession that will hopefully have commercial appeal. And, as that blog says, I have to make readers care about my characters.

For now, my starting point is a frame of reference - how a Catholic boarding school girl ended up running the largest abortion clinic network in the country. But it may change as I proceed. Beginning a project is always the difficult part, but just putting pen to paper gets it going. You can always move things around later.