Anyone can write 100 word flash memoirs.
Famous Autobiography Examples
From small novels to short essays, many famous writers have written micro memoirs that explore different aspects of their lives. These powerful memoir examples make you think. Not only do they give you a look into the writer's life but leave a lasting message for readers.
Just remember one punctuating life-moment. It could be 20 years ago, or just yesterday. Perhaps something painful, perhaps blissful. Then, be in that moment, and write a few lines.
Settle On Your Theme. Your unstated theme must be, “You’re not alone. If I overcame this, you can. Time needed to read: 7 minutes. How To Start a Memoir – 6 Bestselling Ways. Make them wonder. Humans are by nature curious, so if you start a memoir with a puzzling statement, there’s a good.
Thanks to Joan Leof and some Twitter friends, I’m re-inspired to get back into my memories, and start writing again. After journaling for 28 years, I’d given up on trying to make a coherent, succinct chronicle of my story. I thought I’d be content just to keep journaling.
Then, in a conversation with Joan, she stirred the soup of my creative complacency. She reminded me of my belief that my story is worth telling. She rekindled my hope that stories should connect our human race, like a patchwork quilt of peace. This re-awakened my vision of publishing my story.
I used to be overwhelmed by the thought of all the work involved in piecing together the bits of my life into something interesting for the public. Characters. Plot development. Themes and sub-plots. Point of view. Do I flash-back or flash-forward? But when I learned about Flash Memoirs from Jessica Jensen (@jensen_jessica), the story started writing itself.
Each day, I write just one mini-story: a 100-word piece, inspired by a memory or one highlight on my timeline. Flash-Memoirs are to an autobiography what Haiku are to poetry.
Here’s an example:
Closeted on a Cruise Ship
I accepted the offer. A fresh start, new beginning. A crisp uniform. My first chance to explore the world. What a miraculous opportunity! From a dead-end desk job, to a luxury cruise line officer. Far from everything I ever knew. New people. Sights. Languages. Foods. A buffet of cultures. An open space in which to declare myself whatever I want to be. Teacher. Author. Healer. Purveyor of truth and justice. A beacon for those who are striving to understand and accept themselves. Only, this ship is one socially screwy place. A repressed and chauvinistic environment. A swarm of gay men, but deep in denial! I’m lonely, and back in the closet again.
About the Author of this post, Nathan Ohren
Nathan Ohren researches the web for journaling experts who have a story to share. He found me a couple of months ago and we have started a stimulating dialogue. When he shared his positive experience with 100-WORD FLASH MEMOIRS, I invited him to share it here.
Famous Memoir Examples
Nathan is the host of JournalTalk, a bi-weekly podcast featuring expert information and inspiration on journal-writing. He has been keeping a personal journal for over 28 years, and enjoys coaching people and facilitating groups for creativity, self-empowerment and effective life management. Nathan is the founder of www.Write4Life.us, a resource for “living with passion, clarity, and purpose through journaling.”