moonbridgebooks

Singer/actress Miley Cyrus, still wet behind the ears at a mere 16 years old, is getting flack for writing a memoir. How can a kid have a life story? According to Merriam-Webster dictionary (online version) the definition of memoir is

1 a : a story of a personal experience b : autobiography – usually used in plural c : biography

Merriam-Webster people, don’t you know that a memoir is not at all the same as an autobiography or biography? The latter two are lifetime encompassing works of information about somebody’s life. A memoir is a personal reflection of only a portion of one’s life, hence Miley is quite qualified to have one. I’m sure plenty of youngsters will be delighted to read how Miley had similar experiences as they did growing up while at the same time superblasting into the teen stratosphere. Bullying, breakups, family relationships are the stuff of everybody’s lives, and plenty of writers have used those common experiences as the subject of their memoirs. So give the child a break! She’s living a life most of us older folks can’t even imagine. Miley fans will want to know how she handled her problems, what she learned, what advice she is going to give them, as well as get the skinny on what it’s like to be so young and famous. Let’s face it, Miley is a money-making machine that Disney is cranking the most out of. That’s just good business, whether you like it or not.

Did you know that many, if not most, of our kids today are writing life stories? Yes, they are – in school. Communication Arts teachers get the kids writing in daily journals at an early age. They also ask the kids to write stories about their life experiences – a trip to the zoo, getting hit with a baseball, a special birthday party. Sometimes the teachers even produce simply bound books out of their students’ stories. The kids won’t have a professional ghostwriter like Miley, they won’t have amazing tales of fame, but they do have something to say. And I think we should listen, encourage, and enjoy.

According to a 2008 MSNBC article, Miley’s memoir will actually have a lot about her mom in it. Miley says, “I hope to motivate mothers and daughters to build lifetimes of memories together and inspire kids around the world to live their dreams.” Now that’s a grown-up thought.

PS: Miles to Go has gotten good reviews on Amazon

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com

April is National Poetry Month. I came across a posting from the Los Angeles Independent about a Poetry as Memoir workshop, led by poet Steven Reigns, on April 15 at the West Hollywood Library. What an interesting concept, and difficult I would think. For most people it’s hard enough to sit down and write anything about their life, so getting artistic with rhyming words is out of the question. But for those who enjoy poetry, enjoy writing, want a challenge, or want to try something different, this could be your kind of fun. If you’re really good, advance to “haiku memoir.”

I do think there are many poets hidden amongst us, though. Everyday people with a little secret, because sharing a poem is like stripping the skin off your soul. Poems tend to be highly personal, creative expressions of sensitivity, and when exposed to an eye-rolling, cynical society wanting perfection, one can only cringe while waiting for a response. Just as in memoir writing!

If you do toy with writing poetry, think about including some in your lifewriting. You really don’t have to be a “professional” poet for your family and friends. Just as a passed-down recipe or favorite song lyrics or some doodles add a little spice to a memoir, so can a poem be a special piece of you. Your poem can be of feelings about a childhood home, a love note to a child, a memory of any moment in time that affects your heart – no rhyming necessary. I have a couple hidden poems about each of my daughters, part of mini journals of their childhood that I plan to give to them when they leave for homes of their own.

So, in honor of Poetry Month, try your hand at writing a little poem. Or at least read one.

“Poems hang out where life is”
-Poemcrazy: Freeing Your Life With Words by Susan G. Wooldridge

Linda Austin
“Cherry Blossoms in Twilight”
http://www.moonbridgebooks.com