Writing a Memoir type of book by Diane Craver

We all have a story we want to tell. Maybe we have lost a parent or a loved one and realize we can’t wait any longer to tell our family story. I always had in the back of my mind to write a story about my father. Although I wanted my book to have the emotional honesty of a memoir, I decided to fictionalize it. My goal was to capture a time and place in my childhood based on a true incident in my life that saddened and shocked me. An image of my father’s secret was burned in my mind forever, so the following sentences are the first ones in A Christmas Gift. “It was 1957 when I saw something that I wasn’t meant to see. I have never forgotten this night because it had such an impact on me.”

To write your memoir vividly and well while using fiction techniques, you need to research your past. Before beginning your memoir, start jotting down your memories in a notebook or if you prefer, in a computer file. Give yourself plenty of time to think about your past. At first, I brainstormed about my father since I planned on the main focus to be on his “disability.” I also listed old playmates, neighbors, siblings, and my mother. Don’t forget yourself and what you were like at a younger age. The narrator of the story is Debby Reeves, and she is sixty years old in the prologue and epilogue of A Christmas Gift. The rest of the book takes place in 1957 when Debby is seven years old. I thoroughly enjoyed reliving past childhood experiences to add credibility to my story.

Go through old photo albums and scrapbooks to jog your memory. Maybe you have a cherished item from a parent that will stimulate you into remembering more. I have a tie of my father’s, which he wore during the time period I decided to use for my book. Maybe you have a piece of jewelry of your mother’s that has a special meaning. When you return to an earlier time, make notes about what you see, hear, smell, taste and touch in your memories. Write down brief descriptions so you can remember them while you write your memoir.

I have four siblings but in A Christmas Gift, Debby has three. Young Debby is a lot like I was at that age. I’m sure my family felt that I was a brat at times, but they always knew I wouldn’t lose my childlike deep faith in God. Just as Debby knows Jesus will help her daddy to finally accomplish what he wanted his whole life, I have never lost my faith. Even when a tragedy occurred early in my adult life, I knew God would turn it into a blessing. And He did. Also Debby’s career is one I would have chosen if circumstances would have been different, but it wasn’t the career God meant for me. Because I wanted to give my father the ending he deserved and didn’t get in real life, the ending is fictionalized.

My greatest reward comes from accomplishing my dream of having a book about my father published. I hope your journey to the past will be as rewarding as mine has been. In sharing your family story, you will be opening yourself up to a wonderful experience. In doing so, you will enrich many lives by deepening family bonds, and perhaps will touch others with your memoir.

EARLY REVIEW OF A CHRISTMAS GIFT:

When I first opened this story I felt like I was reading an autobiography. A woman tells a story of a Christmas years ago that she remembers fondly. Let me start by saying that while I am not usually a fan of first person…..I really, really, really like it.

There was something so powerful and real about the story and the characters. The way a little girl looks at her daddy with hero worship in her eyes is a wonderful thing. And oh how my heart broke right along with Debby’s on several occasions. I cried more than once during this story…in a good way though. It was that touching for me that I was moved to tears.

A wonderful story that will really touch your heart. I highly recommend it.

www.sweetlyreviewed.blogspot.com

Diane Craver met her husband while teaching at an orphanage, and they married in 1975. While raising their six children in southwestern Ohio, Diane started writing nonfiction. Articles of Diane's have been published in Woman’s World Weekly, The Catholic Telegraph, Virtue, Down Syndrome Today, WritersWeekly.com, and other publications. Later, she decided it would be a nice escape to write fiction.

Diane has published through a variety of houses, including Booklocker.com, Samhain, Desert Breeze, Whimsical Publications, and Victory Tales Press. She writes fun and inspiring stories filled with memorable characters. Diane gives thanks to God daily for all her wonderful blessings.

Learn more about Diane and her books at http://www.dianecraver.com and Diane has lots of fun prizes listed on her blog. By leaving a comment here, you’ll be entered in her two drawings! More details on Diane’s blog. http://www.dianecraver.com/blog