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The Book
I always wondered if I had a book to write, and many others have tried over the years to convince me that indeed I have.
But I have resisted, it's been done, much earlier and in much better fashion than I could ever hope to achieve. But more about that later.
and so...My intention is to blog as I go, creating a journal of the experience of writing what might (or might not) turn out to be my autobiography.
But we will see what develops along the way...
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Education - and the ageing
Got an email the other day, routed via my old turningsixty blog, inviting me to comment on a post titled "hey-grandma", on the subject of 'elders' in classrooms. It has generated a very lively discussion, 39 comments so far - I did go and have a look, even drafted a response, but then, silly me, hit submit without first having copied and saved, and it went wrong and the draft got lost. I didn't bother to type it out again. Quite a few of my 'elderblogger' mates have jumped in to have a say - elderblogger supremo Ronni Bennett from Time Goes By weighs in with her usual clarity on the subject of all things 'elder'. Additional comment and further discussion on Ronni's own site make for interesting reading. Poor Ann Austria, if, as she later claims, she just wanted to be controversial, she certainly got the response she wanted. Labels: Journal
posted at: 11:59 PM
posted by: DellaB
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halfway through Autobiography course
Well, we are in week 4 of the 8 week course, and I can say that my first impressions have held good. This is an excellent way to get started on writing. I am having some problems keeping to the required 10 minutes a day writing 'on topic' - but mostly because once I get started I don't stop, so the 10 minutes drifts into an hour or more. And then, on the days I am working (still 3 days a week), sometimes I don't even turn on the computer when I get home, then I get days behind. So establishing a writing routine hasn't happened for me (yet). On the other hand, I really am enjoying reading what the others in the course have to say. Mixed bunch of about 12 people, sharing their own memories - many of which jog further memories for myself. I've been juggling around the way this blog works - I started using 'labels' on each post, to separate out what is just journal, and what is 'book' material. Then I realised that some of my replies to posts in the course forum also contained information that would be handy for the book. So I added another label, miscellany, which will hold a copy of those replies. Then there are random thoughts, not necessarily course related, but still needing to be included, so that's another label. So, let's see, now I have 5 labels: 'Journal'
'booknote'
'U3Acoursework'
'miscellany
and 'randomthought' Some posts have a combination of categories, but I think in the long run I am going to be happy to have this sorting ability. For the purpose of the blog I need to investigate getting the sidebar link to show a list of topics. Not that it matters, but I've seen mention of doing it in the help groups, so I'll do some more reading in there. Labels: Journal
posted at: 5:59 AM
posted by: DellaB
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Why am I blogging my book?
Why am I blogging my book?- Because I can and it's a fun way to keep a journal. (keeps my hand in with the tech stuff).
- Motivation and time-management. (sort-of a commitment I don't want to get behind).
- I can add to posts (by edit or comment).
- Labels on posts makes a good filing system.
- Can sort posts into times and categories, help to collate and cross-reference.
- Sharing - although this is not a priority or even sought after at this stage, I might dig up some other people on the same path I can correspond with.
- Eventually it could be a way for family to contribute, anyone who wants to read and comment may add their own memories or notes.
Labels: Journal, randomthought
posted at: 11:17 AM
posted by: DellaB
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Sharing about my life - the good, the bad, and the ugly ?
Interesting topic has come up in the autobiography class. How much should we share? We've touched briefly on it before, about sharing in the class, and autobiography integrity but the discussion now ranges further, as in how much and what should we write? Some of the questions that have arisen: Am I being egotistical?
Is what I have to say that important?
Can I do this .. let others see me with all layers stripped?There are times and things in my life that are just not going to show me in the best light. I realised not too long ago that the clearest memories, the things that come firstly to mind, are the not-so-good memories, the moments of embarrassment, things I should have done and didn't, things I did do and shouldn't have. I have shame and guilt and regrets winding through the fabric of my life.. do I write of these? If I do, it will be painful. I am a proud (in the meaning of vain) person, and can/will always have a justification for anything. I find it very hard to admit to being wrong, and the fear of failure has often dictated what was attempted. On the other hand, I fit into the category of 'high-achiever', dedicating myself to whatever task was in hand until I reached success and mastery. I have lived by a philosophy of my own: 'If at first you don't succeed - give up and try something else!' In this way, I have enjoyed success in many areas of my life, things I have chosen to do, a wonderful career, success in sports, raised 2 beautiful kids, and gained the respect of friends and colleagues. There was/is sadness too, and druthers too many too mention, but I will write the truth, throw light on the dark places... whether I publish it, of course, might be another story, I may well end up with a 'sealed section'. Labels: Journal
posted at: 10:38 AM
posted by: DellaB
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Autobiography class - week one
Momentum is gaining as we get started in earnest. My first impressions still hold good, the topics the leader is setting are relevant, and boy do they take me down memory lane. It's amazing how many paths one memory can lead to. This is just what I needed, an idea for the way to get started, and what to write about. It also helps that we each post our entries to a forum for others to read, and comment. Not on the writing ideas (the leader does that), but a lot of the memories are shared, with most of the class retired or of retirement age. One of the participants wrote this (on Autobiography accuracy): "My brothers and I often talk about incidents that happened in
our childhoods. We often find substantial discrepancies in our memories. Its
probably important to be tentative about making statement about the past unless
we can find ways to have our momories corroborated. Particularly when we recall
childhood memories we need to remember that the initial incident is recorded by
a child with limited experience of life so the incident is interpretted in a
different way to an older person. We also tend to filter information as it comes
to us depending on our own biases, interests etc. Police for example can
interview two people who witnessed the same event and get different stories. Two
spectators can watch the same game of footy and report it in different ways
particulary if their kids were on different teams. Our memory can also be
influenced by commentary that is made by another person, particularly one who we
respect"
Comment by class leader: Truth is what you remember - but if possible avoid hurting others.
Interesting, and prompted me to write this, something I have needed to get off my chest for a while now: I can certainly re-inforce what Bill is saying here, from a very personal perceptive. My sister wrote an autobiography, in 3 volumes, all of which became best sellers. The first volume actually won a couple of important Australian book awards.
Apart from being the cause of my own reluctance/hesitancy to start my own chronicle, I can vouch for some of the criticisms of the books, that not all of the 'facts' presented, or the 'memories' recorded, can be verified as correct.
My interest, of course, is focussed on the events recorded of which I was (am) a part, personal events, not necessarily related to the telling of the story of her own struggles and achievements - but when I read her version of the events, several of which differ significantly from my own memories, I itch for an opportunity to redress or challenge.
Of course I realise that what she wrote is her 'reality', she has recorded the way she saw the various situations. I can only say that if that is how she saw them, if that was her perception of events, I wish I had been given a chance to discuss this with her, to put her straight about my part in the same events, that would have been a good thing... Labels: Journal
posted at: 8:18 AM
posted by: DellaB
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starting to write...
I have joined a formal course called Autobiography & Journalling. A professional course with a leader, and about 12 other participants. We are just doing introductions this week, but with encouragement to get started writing daily on given topics. Must say it is a very positive beginning and I have been motivated already to make some contributions. Next step is to get this journal sorted into sections so that I can store the bits that I write as I go, and not leave them mixed in with blog journal postings. If, as I hope this journey is successful and I remain motivated, I am sure the time will come when I will have enough material to consider a book format. I can already see that most of what I write now will be in the format of a memoir (at least I think that's what they are) and over time I will be adding as new thoughts occur. This is good, exactly what I need, some structure and help in how to get started. memoir
memoirist, noun. memoirism,
noun.
/'memwah/
noun
1. (plural) records of facts or events in connection with a particular subject, historical period, etc., as known to the writer or gathered from special sources.
2. (plural) records of one's own life and experiences.
3. Refer to biography.
4. (plural) a collection of reports made to a scientific or other learned society.
Labels: Journal
posted at: 6:23 PM
posted by: DellaB
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getting there......
Well, much progress has been made. I try not to think of it as a procrastination, but I did want the blog site to have a few things in it to look at - so I have spent the time and added some decorations and links. All about me, of course, cos that's what this blog is to be about, mainly.
The links go to other websites and bits and pieces I currently have online. And I've had to spend some time getting back into the swing of good old html, and xhtml and CSS2 and mucking about getting the pictures and icons and links all the way I want them to be.
I've done a little bit on The Book, but mostly still in my head, in fact I think I've probably written most of the book in my head, over and over, at least the paragraph headings - which could be a good place to start.
I think that will be my next task, listing the paragraph headings so I have some things to focus on. I already realise there is going to be quite a bit of research into some things, and I wonder how much my memory will actually provide. Actually, no, that's not true, my very next task will be to do the rounds of my turningsixty blog blogroll and let everybody know where I am... there will be links to change, and lots of people to catch up with. I just wanted to get this place prettied up first! Labels: Journal
posted at: 10:49 PM
posted by: DellaB
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The Book - first post
It starts here... I always thought that I had a book to write, and many others have tried over the years to convince me that indeed I have. But I have resisted, it's been done, much earlier and in much better fashion than I could ever hope to achieve. But more about that later. I have done some preparation, I have studied the craft of writing, completing a course of editing and proof-reading in the fond hope that I might be able to earn some money to help with expenses in my forthcoming retirement. My intention is to blog as I go, creating a journal of the experience of writing what I think will turn out tobe my autobiography. But we will see what develops along the way... Labels: Journal
posted at: 5:07 AM
posted by: DellaB
[Show Link Address]
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