IT’S HERE. FINALLY. You think I mean Spring, or gardening season, or college-acceptance season, right? I don’t. Maybe I’m referring to prepare-to-get-into-bathing-suit season? Nope. Not that. Or, more to the point, all that plus this one other altogether totemic annual moment: that first run of holidays (as opposed to the November-December sleigh ride) during which memoir writers are given ample opportunities to take notes. Get out your notebooks, writers: Your family is on its way to your holiday table.
Just like the first sighting of the robin, or the return of the skunk cabbage, this time of year carries with it the anticipation–or dread–of gathering together and seeing one another. So how about we drop the dread this year? How about we assume that all will go well, at least in terms of the writing? It can, you know, if you’re prepared.
Between now and June 1 occur an extraordinary number of opportunities for you to observe your family in action. There is Easter, Passover, Federal Income tax day. There’s Buddha Day (April 28), and Arbor Day (April 30), May Day, Cinco de Mayo, Mother’s Day, and Memorial Day. And those are just the big ones. After that, we’ll gear up for graduations, Father’s Day, and the first day of summer.
Just like a basket of Easter eggs, you’ve got material coming your way. The only question is, what are you going to do with it?
First and foremost, you’re going to do these four things.
- You’re going to be hospitable, both with your guests as well as with your material.
- You’re not going to serve up your basic fare
- You’re going to bring something extra to the table
- You’re not going to be intimidated by others’ versions of what goes on
Treat these rules like you do your grandmother’s holiday china, and who knows what might happen. You might:
- Come away from the table with a story about why to set an extra Passover seder plate for your daughter’s imaginary friend
- Come away with a new rule for living your life
- Come away with a new Jell-O recipe
Happy holidays, sisters. Enjoy every minute. And take notes.
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Dear Marion, Margaret, Jan and Catherine: Thank you for sharing your stories and poetry at the Art’s Center on Monday evening. The readings were loaded with gripping imagery, and some sad, tender and funny memories. What a privilege to have been there. Ann
Hi, Ann. Thanks for the kind words about our reading from this book. We had a ball. It was lovely to see you there. Please come back soon and visit us here again.
I have the craziest, most wonderful and sometimes contentious family that I adore (and sometimes hate) but I have a very hard time writing about them. I can do fiction just fine, thank you, but memoir freaks me out. Glad to have discovered the tips and inspiration here. And I’ll be keeping my eyes farther open at all the upcoming holidays.
Hi, Charlotte, and welcome to TSP, where we love us some crazy, contentious, wonderful families. Don’t let memoir freak you out. Write on, sister. So glad I’m helping you out with those tips. They are there for your use. Keep in touch, and let me know how you are doing.