Maybe I’m ABNORMAL.

It seemed quite normal to me, flipping through a magazine in the dentist office in my usual way (starting in the middle or anywhere but the beginning).

That was, until I noticed another woman watching me with a puzzled look as she waited for her turn in the chair to be called.

In this Jottings Tip,  I’m giving you permission to do something that may puzzle you, and even seem quite abnormal.

Are you feeling ready to jump into more joyful jotting and wondering where to begin?

DON’T START AT THE BEGINNING!

What?! How does that even make sense, to start a story in the middle or toward the end?

Here’s the thing, your jottings may someday end up in a book, of sorts. But for now we’re not talking about writing a historical novel or a complete family memoir where chronology rules. That means you can write about whatever you want without being constrained by the order in which it actually occurred.

As you may have noticed from my StoryJots Blog posts, sometimes I’m jotting about a current moment which leads me into a childhood memory which meanders in a totally different direction. Going off on what may seem to be a tangent can bring me to that “sweet spot”, the moment that truly matters to my heart on that day.

To support you in getting started, I’m suggesting that you begin a Memory List.

Now, before you think “The last thing I need right now is to make another list!” or “How boring is that. I just want to start writing something!”, let me give you a picture of what your Memory List can be. It’s just a way to capture a memory when it hits you.

Here’s what an entry in my latest little spiral notebook looked like.

It started with overhearing someone at the Farmer’s Market saying “That’s just peachy!” I jotted that phrase and the first 2 memories down right away and added the rest later that night.

-stopping on family vacations at roadside stands for peach breaks

-Grandma Barker’s peach cobbler with homemade blueberry ice cream

-learning to make clabber and biscuits

-stringing green beans

-backyard playhouse with favorite cousins

-front porch swinging

Turns out something about front porch swinging would be the first jotting I would do from this list of moments. Who would have guessed that would emerge from the “peachy” beginning point?

Now you’re probably wondering what happens to the rest of those memories?

That’s how your Memory List takes shape. What you don’t use at first may become part of your jottings later on. Or may never.

So keep a small journal in your purse or use the voice recorder on your phone to capture memories on the go. Whenever you feel like moving them from there, add to your ongoing Memory List in a looseleaf notebook or online document.

Ready to try out NOT starting at the beginning? Jot down memories just the way they flow to you, and start your version of a Memory List.

Let me know how that feels…

Need help getting started with your family mini-story jottings? Wondering what to add to your Memory List?

JOIN US IN CAPTURE YOUR MOMENTS

4 week group program starting March 18!

JOYfully jotting,

Katie

Family PhotoStory Curator

Mini-Stories Writing Coach

Your Legacy of Memories Mentor

Capturing Mini-Moments that Matter…

Energizing & Connecting Families for Generations!