| Why Not Write? A Challenge. | |||||
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Why are seniors and boomers so reluctant to write? I've been writing this column for a long time. One of my main purposes has been to encourage everyone to write. The reaction has been underwhelming. A few stepped up to try some of my suggestions, but not many. Remember, I'm promoting (to quote the subtitle of my book "Seniorwriting") writing "to Discover, to Heal, to Reinvent, to Share"--and to enjoy. The idea is not to become a famous author (although if you're talented enough, go for it), but to share those valuable memories and family stories. My main follower on eGenerations has been Aneway (Wayne), who thanked me for encouraging him to share his life story with his family. He even tried poetry! Read about him here in the column archives at http://egenerations.com/article-1486-6-the-power-of-writing--featuring-aneway. Pd and a few others had tried my self-interview suggestion and/or other writing. Let's get active again! In addition to my two public blogs, "Never too Late!" at http://www.seniorwriter.blogspot.com and "Write your Life!" at http://www.seniormemoirs.blogspot.com, I have begun a blog for "Clarity," the web site for residents of my new senior residence, The Clare at Water Tower. Again, I'm trying to encourage my fellow seniors to write. The Clare residents are generally articulate and educated. At a meeting of the Life Style Committee, I listened as every member told the fascinating story of his or her life, everything from professorial careers to swimming championships. Yet when I began my blog and urged others to join me by creating their own, I got no response. I advocated beginning with self-interviews, but there were no takers. I'll keep trying to encourage writing after we all move to The Clare. Still, I'm not abandoning eGenerations. Here is my challenge: Go back to "Flexing Your Writing Muscles: Interviewing 101" here in the archives. Try it, or try it again. One way to reinvigorate this web site is to become better acquainted through writing. That may lead to more questions and contributions and livelier forums--and new members. Here are eight possible self-interview questions. You don't need to answer them all. 1. Describe yourself, your family, and/or favorite family activities, past or present. 2. Where have you lived? (One place or many): What are the advantages and disadvantages of living there? How do you or did you like it? 3. Describe your career or job (past and/or present), interests, hobbies, activities, daily routine, etc. 4. Have you done any traveling? If so, where? 5. What’s your most challenging life experience? 6. What life lesson have you learned that is most important to you? 7. If you could re-do something in your life, what would it be? 8. What “odd” thing about you don’t most people know? I know that all eGenerations members are interesting. Go ahead--prove it! Don't be afraid to make writing errors; just go for it. Write life stories, fiction, poetry, anything. Post them here as journal or memoir entries or stories. The "Member Write" list needs more variety! Please leave some comments and suggestions here. What can I do to help? |
