Micro memoirs: Life stories 100 words at a time

 I recently participated in a challenge* to write one 100-word micro memoir every day for five days; each day had a theme that we were encouraged to use as the springboard for our writing. The genre was creative nonfiction, so this challenge was not about inventing stories, but, rather, about going deep into our memory banks to pull on the thread of experiences, big or small, from which to weave stories.

If I were to summarize the five stories I wrote, it could go something like this:

Once upon a time there was a girl named Amanda, who grew up with cats, so, as an adult, she always had at least one cat in her life. She was good at languages and because she was only 17 when she graduated from high school, she went to France to work as an au pair before returning to Canada to attend university. That first degree got her into a post-graduate journalism program, which she really enjoyed. While she never worked as a front-line journalist, her training became the foundation of her own writing journey. A friend introduced her to Val, who became her life partner and who, in turn, introduced her to the joys of outdoor adventures, including canoeing. Amanda had to muscle up to be able to do her share of the portaging of the canoe, and she was thrilled when she managed it. Her experiences with Val made the challenge of early-autumn swimming appealing; she liked that, too. (163 words)

But I wonder if you agree that the stories presented separately (below) have greater depth and impact as five distinct micro memoirs. I think they show the power of diving deep into one’s history and turning a slim memory into a compelling 100-word story through vivid compressed writing.

The challenge was fun and rewarding for me, and I think anyone could do it on their own, in their own time. The trick with memoir is to not wait too long to begin harvesting the memories and capturing them in writing, because, one day, it will be too late. 

Why not begin today, using the themes of the stories below? See what you might come up with. I bet your family and friends would love to read your micro memoirs.

Day one: Tell us about a formative experience

Generation gap

I loved my grandmother, intimidating though she was with her stern adherence to social etiquette and social standing. “No one respects their place anymore,” she pronounced firmly. Granny’s statement stopped me in my tracks. I had landed on her at the end of my gap year, full of experience yet nervous about my future: Where was my place in this world? Returning home, I jumped into university where I learned gloriously (ideas! politics! sex!) that my place is with anyone working for change, smashing the norms, bringing respect to difference. Times change, dear Granny, and I am working for more.

Day two: Tell us about a departure of some kind 

The Courage to Quit

On paper, it looked great. The right location. Decent title. Perfect start date. But on that first day, it all went wrong by noon. The office was nice, my desk adequate, the manager lovely. But the work? Not so much. Fresh out of journalism school, I wanted news, but as ‘editorial assistant’ got data entry instead. That evening, a miracle. The phone rang with a job offer at a big newspaper in Toronto. Yes! The next morning, I quit as editorial assistant and the following week was Copy Editor at The Financial Post. Good location. Perfect title. Life-saving start date.

Day three: Tell us about your body
The Body Beautiful

In the wilds of north-western Ontario, on the shore of the lake with the sun warm and the wind blowing, I stand firm on my feet, feel my body as power, raise my arms and receive the canoe — held up by my paddling partners — onto my shoulders, adjusting the full weight spread across the yoke. I had trained for this, but the sixty pounds are still heavy on my 5’ 2” frame. I move slow and steady along the portage, navigating the terrain as much by feel underfoot as with my eyes. This is the body beautiful: strong, determined, capable.

Day four: Tell us a love story

Four-legged love

Beautiful Bountiful, the ginger cat: You were my first fur-love. I found you in Halifax, then moved half-way across Canada, but you staked your territory, King of the Block, as if raised there. You had your share of hits and hurts and overnight losts — stuck up a tree or wandered too far, but, always, you found your way home. Cancer once, you vanquished; cancer twice brought death. Beautiful Bountiful, you opened my heart for Blanco, then Lewis, then Chester, now Holly — one cat leading to another. Small, demanding, loving, they are teacher, tyrant, therapist, and friend. Naturally. No training required.

Day five: Tell us a nature story

Cold caper

I descend, rung by rung, the water up to my neck, I gasp, breath caught, I push off, turn onto my back, arms moving fast to propel me through the water, heart racing, the lake water so cold, but it’s a dare, keep swimming, the bright blue sky, the sharp clear September sun the canopy to this foolhardy lark in waters so cold it’s crazy and also exhilarating, until it’s not, it’s too cold, I turn back, swim to the dock, climb out, feel the coolness of the air kiss my skin and I am glad I took the dare.

*Nicole Breit led the challenge I participated in. I have modified her original prompts for this blogpost. 

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Land acknowledgement: I respectfully recognize that I live on the original lands of Anishinaabe, Cree, Oji-Cree, Dakota and Dene peoples, and on the homeland of the Métis Nation.