Honestly, all you need to start is a pen or pencil and a scrap of paper. What you’re starting isn’t a fictional novel or even a story so don’t think about plot or characterization, just start remembering. On top of that, don’t force your memory. Start to reminisce about a period of time that stands out. For many of us, our high school years were pretty intense so maybe start there. What were your favourite subjects? If there was a teacher who influenced you, what was her/his name?
Start with snippets of memories, simply words or thoughts that mean something to you. Maybe something like, “…that time I fell in the mud when we were at the zoo.” Or just “fell in the mud”. Unless you’ve done that many times, those few words will trigger the whole story. When you have time, fill in the rest of the details.
Head to the dollar store and pick up a few of the notebooks they have there. The ones I use are about 8″ by 10″ (20×25 cm. approx.), and have 100 lined sheets. I’m a terrible writer plus I have arthritis so my ‘writing’ is really scribbles. But I know what the scribbles mean, even if no one else does. I use a pen not a pencil but that’s up to you. Put a notebook beside your bed, beside your favourite chair, by the sink in the bathroom, even in your car. Later on here, I will tell you how to record your ‘snippets’ without a pen and paper. This is 2024/2025 so you can easily go from analog to digital.
OK, once you start down this path, memories will most likely come flooding in. You’ve got yourself ready for them, locked and loaded so to speak. Good news! You’re on your way!
Cheers!
Brian Mahoney
December 9th, 2024