Memoir Musings

I've published a good amount of what I've written thus far on my little story. Eventually, I'd like to shape it into something that's less about my own life and more fiction. But I haven't done that yet. What strikes me is how often people comment on how sad the memoirs are. I don't really mean them to be sad, but I did have a fairly rough childhood. It's not easy when your family splits and your mom has very little visible means of support. There were happy times, but I haven't written too much about them yet. I suppose part of this is that the bad things that happen to us probably stick in our heads more than the regular, boring, blah days, or the sort of good ones. But you know, I wasn't really a sad kid, despite all the things that I write about. I am a very happy person, and not just because my life is happy now. But I've been, for a long time, a very cheerful person. I used to be told all the time back when I worked in malls (as a retail clerk, and as a waitress) that I ought to work at the Disney store-- cause they're always so perky-cheerful there. It's not fake; it's really the way I feel most of the time. When I don't, it's more often a crankiness that is lack-of-food induced or "hormonal" or it passes very quickly. Of course, like everyone, I've had my moments of "deep despair." But they pass; they always do.

I guess all in all this is a little defense....the story I've been writing here is not the whole story. It is a story that has a lot of sad moments, but it ends up pretty darn "happily ever after". It could have been very different, I realize. And I think, perhaps, that is part of the point of writing about it... to come to some sort of equilibrium with the universe. Plus, writers have to be unhappy at some point. How many great writers can you think of who never had any hardship in their lives? I couldn't think of any either. :) At least I'm not a great POET. Those folks are all pretty much in need of some anti-depressants. I know back when I was a pretty good poet, I certainly had my share of miserableness. (Generally related to guys I was dating, yes.) :)