The Story of Me
So, I’ve been reading Julia Cameron’s book Vein of Gold, about taking your creative life more seriously. I mean, seriously. Apparently it gets into silly, fun ways of unlocking more creativity, but I’m not that far yet. I am undertaking what she calls the “narrative timeline” and I call, you guessed it, The Story of Me.
I’ve done the prep work for this project, making notes on various phases of my life. It’s meant to be a very personal autobiography never read by anyone else, with an emphasis on telling your life stories from your own perspective, not just reciting your parents’ versions events. It’s an interesting idea, if somewhat intimidating.
Why bother? Well, apparently this exercise really helps to develop the ‘voice’ of the writer. Taking ownership of your own life, being the lead character in your own story, seeing from such an overview the themes and strengths and cycles one’s life leads to a greater sense of self-posession. A clearer, more distinct voice.
So tomorrow I begin this project, while simultaneously attempting to finish my first 5 rewritten chapters. Because I work best (sometimes only) under pressure, that’s why!