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November 1999 West Vancouver Historical Society Pages MEMORIES - OURS AND YOURS Here is the second part of Patricia Anderson's articles about old memories, in which she explains how we can preserve the day-to-day history of our years. As we learned during our school days, the leaders of nations were the ones whose deeds - both good and bad - were chronicled for history. However, it is the everyday memories of people like you and I which, if preserved, will give future generations the true flavour of life as it has been lived in our part of the twentieth century. THE FINE ART OF REMEMBERING Patricia J. Anderson, Ph.D., is an author and historian who gives workshops and private consultations on memoir writing and other literary projects. Part II; From Recollection to Writing In Part 1 of this article I wrote about West Vancouver's old summer cottages, many of which are long gone and little remembered. They are among many other examples of gaps in our cultural heritage. We can't reclaim what is already lost, but we can each make a personal effort to help preserve our past. It might start with summoning a few memories and sharing them with younger family members. As readers of this publication well know, it might further entail supporting one or more historical societies and heritage initiatives. Or, as more and more of those who value both history and literature have discovered, it might mean trying your hand at memoir writing. If, as Samuel Johnson believed, memory is an art, then producing a memoir is both art and craft - the fine art of remembering combined with the more down-to-earth skills of research and writing. The following tips reflect my own experience as a professional writer and historian, as well as that of colleagues, clients, and students who have successfully completed memoirs: * Whether a room, comer, or end of a table, find a space exclusively for writing. * Set aside a time to write, and stick to it. * If you're blocked on your project, write something else â€" key words, phrases, a letter, anything; blocks disappear with practice. * Don't rely on memory alone â€" collect photos, letters, clippings, and other memorabilia; consult reference works to verify dates and events. * Use a filing system for notes and ideas -according to preference, notebooks, card indexes, or computer files all do the trick. * Work from an outline -- it may be chronological, thematic, or a combination of both. * Know your genre - read published memoirs, biographies, and histories, as well as reviews of them. * Learn your craft -- enrol in a workshop or read a how-to book - for example: Judith Barrington, Writing the Memoir; Lois Daniel, How to Write Your Own Life Story; Janice T. Dixon, Preserving Your Past; Ruth Latta, Life Writing; Nancy Smith, Writing Your Life Story. The sum of recollection, research, and creative expression, memoir writing is both challenging and rewarding. In a larger sense it is also crucial, for an individual or community is entirely shaped by the present. To lose our history is to lose part of ourselves. 9|e]|c]|e)K]|e:|e]|e]K)|e