Welcome to part two of our six-part session, where we’re writing six related micro-memoirs.
Post the second segment of your micro-memoir collage in the comments section below. Once you’ve done that, read some of your fellow members’ stories and leave them a note of encouragement.
On August 13, 2024, at 5:00 p.m. ET, we’ll use the following question to discuss pages 27-52, chapters “Him, Me, Us” through “Cocoon”:
We often hear we need conflict in memoir, but conflict need not be a physical fight or high-speed car chase.
Conflict occurs when someone wants something and someone or something gets in the way of that person obtaining his/her desire. What conflict do you see conveyed in these pages?
Conflict can also be internal or external. Identify the conflict as internal or external. What techniques does Jennifer Lang use to describe this conflict?
Formulate your ideas, and we’ll talk about them soon.
Second micro memoir of a series of my kids playing hockey.
Micro Memoir Style Trials – Part 2
Part 3 of micro-memoir.
OOPS! Put on wrong page.
I enjoyed your story of your summer job and modelling. You have had such an interesting life.
Second micro-memoir of “Where I’ve Laid My Head.”
m SORRY DUPLICATE.
Number two micro-memoir of homes I’ve known.
So many things happening in this story. Well done.
Oh my Barbara, what a story. I take it no one was hurt in the crash. Losing all your belongings had to be devastating. Amazing how strong we learn to be. Hope to hear more.
hERE IS MY SECOND STORY. CHAPTER 2 SOLID KNOWLEDGE, CURIOUSITY FOUNDATION, ADVENTUROUS LIFE By Jacqueline Raymond Never regret a day in your life; Good days give happiness; Bad days give experiences; Worst days give lessons; Best days give memories. My repository of memory and experience built the foundation of who I am today, what I accomplished, adventures pursued in ninety-two years of living. My genetic links, sense of self-spirit, and intellect were nurtured and formed in the first sixteen years in Cincinnati. REMEMBERING: My cherished only child life, where unconditional love flowed from parents who treated me as an… Read more »
Enjoyed your story, Jackie. Thank you for taking us on what felt like a “cinematic reel” of your life and the enduring influences that made you who you are. Credit to your wonderful parents who nurtured you and lovingly equipped you with the tools to navigate life successfully. We see the results in the stories you tell and in our interaction with you.
Jackie, As always, this is a beautifully told story. The cherished memories of loved ones teach you so much more than a book ever would. You were blessed.
Thank you, Juliee, I have gotten a lot of my inspiration from you and your blogs, email treasures.
Jackie, that is wonderful. I think you took advantage of all situations and learned to live life fully. Sandy
MomJa, lovely recollections of your life. You were lucky to know your grandparents and soak in their wisdom.
Wonderful memories, Jackie. Yours was a nurturing childhood. You had such wonderful introduction to so much. I love reading about our “old days.” Well done.
Jackie, as I read this I felt a little the way you must have felt, wrapped up in an extended family of aunts, uncles, and cousins. I especially enjoyed your description of Grandmother Axtmann and her hand-cranked Victrola. You certainly were cherished and surrounded by music and dance from an early age.
Let’s see if third time is the charm. My six-word story SOLID KNOWLEDGE, CURIOSITY FOUNDATION, ADVENTUROUS LIFE.
I goofed, let’s see if this might work. See info below
My six-word story SOLID KNOWLEDGE, CURIOSITY FOUNDATION, ADVENTUROUS LIFE.
No not really, that is the title of Chapter 2, a 307-word story, minus 9 words of title. It is done in REMEMBERING: List Form, I think!!!!
Here’s my story for Week 2 of “Places”. I’ve been having issues with my internet provider, so if I don’t respond to messages it’s not that I’m ignoring you! Fingers crossed it will be all okay by Tuesday.
Gripping and very emotional story, Terry. I was there in the audience, cheering you on. Is in not amazing how the many quotations from Shakespeare remain embedded in memory as they speak, and remain relevant, to life and the human condition? ” I still have both, worn touchstones of my childhood.” This sentence is very touching and say a lot about you.
“I’m the only one still to remember.” Doesn’t it take courage to write? When I read you Terry there is this underlying depth in so many words and unwritten ones equally. This story is so much about the essence of life and “sleep”. Your approach resonates with the path I’m following these days. Merci.
Thank you, Thierry! It was a little darker at the end than I intended, but that was where the story wanted to go. It does take courage, or at least persistence. I won’t deny that I wept over this one. Next week’s will be lighter, I hope.
What lovely memories, Terry. You had great rapport with your sister and parents. Your presentations showed good preparation and keen knowledge of Shakespeare. Well done.
“Shakespeare’s lines weren’t easy for an eighth grader, but I loved the words as much as I loved sharing the stage with my sister.” This line says all about you, my dear friend. Beautiful writing and vivid imagery.
Hi, all. I am having one heck of a time getting these stories down to size. This piece started off as 475 words, and it’s taken me all week to cut it back. I’m not sure I like this exercise at all. Anyway, I finally got it down to 299 but had to leave out so much. This is painful. Are y’all having this struggle too?
I loved your story about falling off the horse. Horses are tricky creatures. They seem to know when they can get away with things. Your descriptions of how you felt when you were on the horse brought back memories of our horses on the farm. I hope you were OK.
Terrifying experience, Patricia. So happy you survived. Your cutting back was effective. I hung unto each word, phrase, sentence. Great writing. Thank you.
Patricia, You left me wanting to read more. I hope you are okay. I can imagine your fright as I was also thrown from a large horse. And who was Carl?
Thanks for reading, Julie. I’m mostly okay. I will need to have an ankle replacement and a couple of other ankle surgeries down the line. Carl was introduced in the first story. He was the man I was obsessed with.
What a thriller. I can’t wait to find out what happened next.
Yes, it was thrilling, too much so. Thanks for reading.
Nope! I treat cutting down on stories as I would desert. Easy to cut on sugar when salt and spices leave lasting impressions. I scrape words as I do icing on a cake. As I suggested before Patricia, go for it… or maybe we French are just used to guillotine excess!
I know the feeling, horses need not be taken lightly, Ed should have heard you and acted accordingly. Great suspense. Weren’t you badly hurt that time, from what you shared once before?
Thanks so much, Thierry. I appreciate your encouragement. Ed was a veterinarian, so he should have known what could possibly happen. Yes, I was hurt very badly. Details are coming in the next few installments.
Gee, Patricia, I was bouncing in the saddle with you. PK refusing to go brought up a memory of mine. Horses do try to spill off their riders when they’re displeased. I’m waiting to hear the next chapter.
Glad you are here with us today. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks, Barbara. Yes, horses do have minds of their own. They say you have to show them who’s boss. I was definitely not the boss.
Wow, Patricia! Your story is gripping from the beginning to the end. I cannot even imagine the impact of you hitting the pole with your leg still in the stirrup. You are so lucky you survived! I can’t wait to hear more!
Yeah, I am very grateful I survived. I had no idea at the time how badly I was hurt at the time. Thanks for reading, Etya.
My pleasure.
Absolutely! It’s hard paring down, but good exercise in looking at every word to see if it’s essential. Your story is tight and emotional, and what a cliff hanger. I’ve been reading about Laura Collett’s riding accident. You are both lucky to be alive!
Cutting is a good exercise but a painful one. I hadn’t heard about her fall. I remember hearing Christopher Reeve talk about his fall being the equivalent of tripping on his shoelaces. My fall was much worse in many ways, but not in the most important way. Thanks for reading, Terry.
How harrowing does it get? I was right there with you as the horse took off. And I’m not an equestrian.
Agreed. I wasn’t an equestrian either. That was the problem. Thanks for reading, Linda.
Next chapter
Linda, I loved your list story. How challenging it became to marry a farmer and learn your expectations simultaneously! Hope to hear more.
Linda, what an awakening. You had so much to learn: driving a old truck, expectations of you – delivering snacks to the fields plus three meal a day. I would have felt bruised. And, sorrowful times with mothers.
This list was well done.
An eventful first year, Linda! Your use of the list format here is very effective in giving the impression of one thing piled on top of another and another. It’s clear that you have deep reserves of strength and humor, or you wouldn’t have survived. I enjoyed the details: Gordon’s brother showing up, “needed or not”, and that “four-on-the-floor, straight stick 1952 pick up with sideboards” – it sounds hard to drive, especially across slushy fields.
Linda, your farm life was not a bed of roses. You overcame a lot and it only made you stronger, my friend.
Chapter 2 submission. “Bazooka”- 300 content words.
I like the way you described the competitiveness of childhood games. Good dialog. You captured childhood taunts perfectly. Well written.
Well told and vivid story, Norma. I’m enjoying the interweave of life lessons with your descriptions of the pastimes and enthusiasms that were important to you. Thank you for including a photo of the game – it made the action clearer, though your words certainly conveyed the mechanism and the high stakes involved.
Norma, your desire to be the best is greatly shown in this piece. In addition, to learning new lessons taught by life.
I tweaked the story I posted yesterday, so here is an updated version. Thank you.
Beautiful story, Etya, and a masterful condensation of a tale that could go on for much longer. I love your closing paragraph. A blessed mystery.
Sometimes I am not sure we even deserve dogs. I am glad your father had Rex. Great story.
thanks
This story was originally 595 words. So, I removed the Linda portion to meet the limit. In my eyes it took something away from the story. I feel the submitted version is now too clinical…lacking John Pop. Now in at 290 words.
John, I enjoyed your descriptions and characterization of Carl. I’ve learned through life that there’s always a Carl near. We had a neighbor when Don and I lived in Dallas who was like Carl. If something didn’t please her, you knew about it. I’m also glad you found a way to get even.
Carl sounds like the kind of person who would pinch a penny until it squealed. What he gave away with one hand, he seems to have found ways to take back with the other. Your story paints an effective portrait in very few words; great job. Glad you got even with him!
Not clinical at all. Great use of a list method to write. So far I can’t write well in the other formats.
He earned a spot on your asshole wall of shame. He broke the law in cheating you.
OOOOOPZ!!!!
Wow, Carl sounds like an A….hole with a capital letter. My husband, who had an auto repair business specializing in limos, never kept the tips his customers gave him. Instead, he gave them to his workers. As for Linda, if she was wicked, write about her in part 3. Just an idea.
Week Two. Whew. Four more to go.
Dave, Wow! What a highway. Can’t say I’ve tackled any quite like that. Now, I want to find out if you lost any parts or had any bruises from your excursion. Such great descriptions.
David, this is a gorgeous piece of writing. I love the wet tee-shirt simile, the “demonic” light in Lisa’s eyes, and your comment, “if the devil had a Christmas tree, this would be it.” Your vocabulary is rich and evocative: infamous, macabre, mutilated. Your theme keeps ratcheting up the tension: I don’t know whether I’m anticipating the next chapter with eagerness or dread …
I was waiting for someone to get hurt. Glad it didn’t happen. Great writing.
Dave,
I thought 17/76 had an issue. When are you going to grow up. My cycling has slowed down in the recent years. Yet you’re still biking on questionable routes. Lisa may be making you young again. But as 17 told 76, “I will hurt you.”
Loved the wet tee shirt simile.
John
Wow! What a challenge. I assume you and Lisa had no mishaps. I hope so. That tree should have scared a lot of viewers. As always you write a exciting, well-developed story. Looking forward to reading more of your adventures.
thanks. We navigated the road without injury or damage. It was fun but also like being on a roller coaster after a while, one that lasts so long you are glad when it’s over.
Here is my story for week two.
Lorna, this is powerful writing. As with your first story, the telling is simple and matter-of-fact, giving the dream and its aftermath enormous impact. You leave the readers to reach their own conclusions, which adds to the mystical element. The final exchange between you and the Matron is tender, a beautiful place to stop. Thank you for sharing your witness.
Thank you for your touching comments, Terry. Much appreciated.
Just what I needed Lorna. For almost fifty years, I’ve been fascinated with dreams…where they come from…what they’re about…why they happen. You’ve just added to the mystique.
Awesome accounting.
Thanks, for your comments, John. Much appreciated. Hope you are closer to getting answers to your quest.
This is a remarkable story Lorna.
I appreciate your feedback, David. Thank you.
That was a nice turn in your recovery. God does assist us in times of trouble, even through dreams.
So true, Barbara. Thanks for your comments.
Fascinating story, Lorna. I’m so glad you recovered and are well. Well written. Thanks for sharing.
I appreciate your feedback, Etya. Thank you so much.
Here is my part 2 story about animals in my life.
Here’s my Part 2 story.
This is an effective use of lists to convey information. As an Air Force brat and introvert who went through thirteen schools in twelve years, I appreciate the way you brought back all the excitement and anxiety of those moves. Your lists have a lot of punch, especially the speculations about the new place and what they tell the reader about your experiences.
Julie,
In all honesty, I’ve joked about your 2,856,521 moves. But I can’t imagine in my wildest dreams, what you’ve gone through in your life.
Interesting use of lists.
John
Great story. I Loved the two lists, the list of your fears and anxiety and the list of facts about how kids are affected by moving. The final line says it all, your PARENTS were OK with moving, but the lists tell how you fared.
Julie, I like how you listed the reactions children feel when faced with many moves. I felt those worries, too, as I moved from place-to-place during my childhood. Your parents set a good pattern of taking moves in stride. Good job.
Well done, Julie. Your parents made sure, the moves did not affect your psyche.
Good use of lists Julie. My only question is did you take moving in stride like your parents. I can’t imagine how difficult it was for you to move so often, so emotional.
I have yet to recognize my theme, but here is a story referencing a place with a small conflict.
I love this story about an important little moment between you and your dad. In just a few words, you give us a clear picture of both of you, and your relationship. It’s a sweet reminder of those days when we thought our fathers knew everything. Great dialogue, and a nod to Patricia’s favorite word, “specificity”.
Great job Kit. 10,000 is a lot!
Here’s my second story under “Animal Encounters”
I envy you the experience. Your story not only gives us delicious sensory details but also conveys the sense of wonder you felt at interacting safely with wild creatures. Well written.
What an amazing experience and a great telling of it.
Judy, I was there. It was the most invigorating experience with a sea life creature I had. Amazing!
What an experience, Judy. I would have been terrified of a sting. The photos complement a well-written story.
Strikingly sad story, beautifully written, Dar.
The Wedding Dress-Week Two-Theme-Loss-296 words
Oh, Dar, so brave. This is devastating. Your choice to write in third person, as if you were a character in someone else’s story, gives a distance that has an almost elegiac feel to it, gentle and graceful, allowing the reader to imagine the emotions without being overwhelmed. I’m so sorry you had to experience these betrayals, but your exquisite writing has made them into poetry.
This is a powerful story Dar. I’m sure it was hard to write. The phrase “but there were a few fake pearls tucked into the bodice” was a nice touch, a great way to show the hidden secret.
Dar, The emotions in your story are raw. Made even more so by what is left unsaid. Impactful Micro Memoire. Your writing is powerful.
Beautifully written story packed with emotions and sadness. I knew someone in my life who had to give up her baby. I believe they found each other decades later.
Dar, this is such a beautiful yet emotion-packed story. You are such a special author. I love all your pieces.
Much emotion packed into a short space. The hurt reaches across the page to the reader very well.
Dar, I felt your pain. Your story is heartfelt and very moving, beautifully written.
This is a 300 word sequal, to Part One story “Carole”. An attempt to dialogue and children’s storybook, perhaps.
This is a striking, unique perspective on last week’s story. It reads like a fable. In spite of the somber conclusion – given what we know of Carole’s fate – there are touches of humor that lighten the story: the reference to “cloud nine” and the bureaucratic aspects of snowflake management. I don’t know whether you intended it, but I felt a parallel between the reluctant snowflake, lonely and sad, and Carole; two sacrifices. The suggestion that each one gave some brightness to the other in their last moments is beautifully written.
Excellent. The snowflake comforts the young girl as she passes, giving him meaning. This phrase at the beginning is good. “double star snowflake dreamt of a slow descent” If you’re thinking of writing it for kids, maybe a name for the snowflake.
So sad, Thierry. Nice visuals throughout the piece.
Love this story! Can’t wait to see how it ends.
I had to read it twice before I realized the snowflake itself was speaking. At the end I realized it settled on Carole’s body on the car. Beautifully descriptive Thierry.
Very interesting; I think it would be perfect for young children, stirring imaginations. I need to read part 1 though to understand the story.