I'm really looking forward to writing a memoir! I have never done any writing in this capacity and I think It will be a great learning experience. I personally have never thought of any type of personal narrative other than journaling as an obtainable goal in my writing. When I hear the word memoir, I only think of "novel" length pieces of writing. Having learned that memoir writing is not just that has opened up a new style of writing for me. I have started my piece, and I feel like writing whilst keeping an audience in mind, has created a new style in my writing. I hop to hone this craft and learn how to write something personal while also entertaining my reader.
I hope my audience can enjoy what they're reading as well as learn a little bit about me and my past. I hope to be able to convey the lessons I learned from what I'm writing about, to my reader in an effective way. I kind of feel as if that's the reason people read memoirs: to learn what the writer has learned through their experience.
I am having a hard time keeping my writing concise. I think writing about something personal can be difficult for me because I think everything that happened is important and affected the event n some way, however in retrospect it didn't and the reader shouldn't have to sift through too many details to take away the point of the piece. keeping extraneous detail out has help to keep the writing direct. I am trying to leave out the little things. I am writing about major happenings at the time and leaving the rest out. It's shaping up well, and I am excited to see what the finished product will be like and who knows? Maybe I'll continue with it and develop it into a longer piece of writing!
Monday, February 16, 2015
Friday, February 6, 2015
Memoir Ideas
1. My audition to Western Michigan University for their Vocal Performance program.
Coming to the end of high school, I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to study in college. I had always been interested in politics, but I had recently gotten into the performing arts and the drive to be on stage was somewhat insatiable. I applied to many universities but sent in to a few, an application for their vocal performance program to study music education and opera singing. The experience taught me a ton about self discipline (preparing for such an important audition) as well as self-confidence (prior to this endeavor I had little experience performing for other people). The audition was on a Saturday so on Friday night I journeyed to Kalamazoo, MI, with my mom as well as two of my best friends who were auditioning for other programs in the performing arts at WMU.
2. My decision to transfer from WMU back home to Oakland University.
About half way through my Freshman year at WMU, I began to feel as if the program I was in wasn't quite right for me. I had many friends in different music education programs who would tell me about all of the classroom experience they were getting and how much they enjoyed school. This got me thinking about transferring. I toyed with the idea for many months but after a lot of buckling dow I decided my education was the most important thing and made the decision to transfer. I was a very hard thing to do, leaving all of the friends I had made, and heading back home. This ordeal taught me a lot about acting on what is best for you. I was nervous when deciding to transfer back home that people would think I couldn't handle being on my own. Although this wasn't the case, I couldn't shake the fear. Eventually though I felt as if it didn't matter. That even if someone felt that way, I didn't care because I needed to do what was best for me.
3. My volunteer experience with the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, GA.
My sophomore year of college, I traveled to Atlanta, GA with a few great friends, and a TON of strangers to spend a week volunteering at a center for Refugees from all over the world. I had never even thought of doing anything like this, but my good friend talked me into it, and alas, there I was. We spent the week doing various things at the center, but I spent most of the week specifically teaching English to a group of about ten 30-50 year olds. The experience was eye opening. Hearing the various stories about these people, laughing at the failed attempts at communication, and realizing that we are all the same no matter what walk of life you come from. This is perhaps the most impactful week I have ever had in my life. I shaped the path in which I want to follow for a career, and changed my heart in a way I cannot justly explain.
Coming to the end of high school, I was having a hard time deciding what I wanted to study in college. I had always been interested in politics, but I had recently gotten into the performing arts and the drive to be on stage was somewhat insatiable. I applied to many universities but sent in to a few, an application for their vocal performance program to study music education and opera singing. The experience taught me a ton about self discipline (preparing for such an important audition) as well as self-confidence (prior to this endeavor I had little experience performing for other people). The audition was on a Saturday so on Friday night I journeyed to Kalamazoo, MI, with my mom as well as two of my best friends who were auditioning for other programs in the performing arts at WMU.
2. My decision to transfer from WMU back home to Oakland University.
About half way through my Freshman year at WMU, I began to feel as if the program I was in wasn't quite right for me. I had many friends in different music education programs who would tell me about all of the classroom experience they were getting and how much they enjoyed school. This got me thinking about transferring. I toyed with the idea for many months but after a lot of buckling dow I decided my education was the most important thing and made the decision to transfer. I was a very hard thing to do, leaving all of the friends I had made, and heading back home. This ordeal taught me a lot about acting on what is best for you. I was nervous when deciding to transfer back home that people would think I couldn't handle being on my own. Although this wasn't the case, I couldn't shake the fear. Eventually though I felt as if it didn't matter. That even if someone felt that way, I didn't care because I needed to do what was best for me.
3. My volunteer experience with the International Rescue Committee in Atlanta, GA.
My sophomore year of college, I traveled to Atlanta, GA with a few great friends, and a TON of strangers to spend a week volunteering at a center for Refugees from all over the world. I had never even thought of doing anything like this, but my good friend talked me into it, and alas, there I was. We spent the week doing various things at the center, but I spent most of the week specifically teaching English to a group of about ten 30-50 year olds. The experience was eye opening. Hearing the various stories about these people, laughing at the failed attempts at communication, and realizing that we are all the same no matter what walk of life you come from. This is perhaps the most impactful week I have ever had in my life. I shaped the path in which I want to follow for a career, and changed my heart in a way I cannot justly explain.
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