Why Your Story Matters
Your story matters because it is our story. You are part of the evolution of human consciousness during these unprecedented times, our youth and future generations will learn from what you have to say.
You are the point of change that wants to happen in the world.
The Changing Face of Memoir
The style of writing memoir is shifting, driven by evolutionary change in human consciousness. Memoir has already changed from it's origins as an expression for political leaders to record their accomplishments, to a medium for ordinary people to record their family history. And memoir is still changing. It has already become more than just a factual record of events.
Memoir: Fact or Fiction?
If you Google ‘is memoir fiction or non-fiction’ you'll see a debate in the writing world is currently underway. It started out as non-fiction but is shifting toward fiction. Why is this? Because the purpose of memoir is no longer about recording factual events, but rather the impact of those events on the heart and consciousness of humanity and the deeper meaning, insight and wisdom that comes from our individual and collective experience.
The Evolution of Memoir
ancient times - 18th century
Memoirs were factual accounts of the achievements (usually conquests) of kings and leaders.
18th - 20th Century
In addition to kings, memoirs were also being written by people who had accomplished greatness in their chosen professions.
From 1990's
Memoirs started to be written by ordinary people to record their family history.
21st Century
Memoirs start to include fictional elements, becoming more story-like, and more distinct from autobiographies, which are strictly factual. Fictional elements allow us to describe events where we may not recall every detail, in order to bring the reader into the emotions, feelings and experience of the event.
Example:
Compare these fact-based and fictionalized accounts of the same event:
Fact: Henry won a medal in World War I for carrying a wounded officer to safety, while under enemy fire.
Fictionalized version:
Blinded by smoke and choking with the nerve gas from enemy shells, Henry could hardly see, let alone think. Up to his knees in mud, when the officer went down in front of him he didn’t know how badly he was hurt. He did know he was more likely to drown face down in the mud, like many others before him. Henry had no choice but to pick him up and wade back to the trench where the officer could get medical attention. The medal that was awarded months later was meaningless to him. He put it in a drawer and never spoke of it. Nothing could erase the memories in his head, or the recurring nightmares that he would experience for the rest of his life, as a result of the nerve gas.
We can see how the fictionalized version brings us deeper into the scene, honoring Henry's story, and our human experience.
The Next Iteration of Memoir - New Modern Memoir
New modern memoir takes fictionalized memoir even further, building on it to deepen our wisdom and understanding. For example, with the new modern memoir approach, Henry's grandchildren could use writing as a tool to recognize patterns in the family system, and understand how Henry's experience has ripple effects that are still continuing today through their family lineage, affecting them and their children.
Defining New Modern Memoir
I am redefining memoir to reflect the current acceleration in the evolution of consciousness. My definition of new modern memoir is:
"a unique approach to memoir writing that emphasizes the wisdom, insight, and lessons learned from our experiences, rather than just relating factual events. New modern memoir blends the factual and the fictional, as a way of recognizing the underlying energy dynamics, and then moves us beyond the experience itself, into who we become as a result."
Meaningful Memoir Six-Week Course
Starting next January I will be teaching a six-week course on the basic principles of new modern memoir, called Meaningful Memoir. The Meaningful Memoir course is designed to teach you the approach, mindset, and specific techniques of writing in the new modern memoir style (maybe soon new modern memoir will become it's own genre).
Intended outcomes of the Meaningful Memoir course:
learn the new modern memoir style and techniques
a new perspective on your life
understanding the 'crack where the light of healing gets in'
revealing the hidden gems in your story
seeing your experience in the light of higher awareness
in your memoir you will emerge as "The Hero" in your life journey
deeper insights, personal healing, wisdom, and transformation
having the foundation for a published book (if you wish)
Your Story IS Our Human Story
Here’s the cool bit (where the magic happens):
Some people want to publish their memoir as a book. If that's you, the Meaningful Memoir course gives you a foundation to build on for that very purpose. Others will want to keep their story private in their private journal. If that's you, know that your contribution still makes a difference.
The beauty of taking the new modern memoir approach is this: either way your story will still contribute to, and accelerate, the evolution of human consciousness! Why? Because your consciousness is part of the evolution of human consciousness, and what you think, say, and do affects the whole! How cool is that?
The six-week course runs four times a year. For current course information and dates add your name and email address to the course mailing list.
"By putting pen to paper the words that flowed told a story of their own, opening my heart a little more each day. Anya has an amazing knowingness that supports exactly what is needed for each member of the group. " - K. M. Michigan, USA
"I still feel a lightness, beauty and peacefulness and still carry it with me. I have been profoundly changed by knowing everyone shares the same problems they just show up differently. I feel lightened up." - R. M. Tennessee, USA
I'm loving this new modern memoir approach! I'm currently on one of Anya's memoir courses, and each week I am continue to be amazed at the deeper insights that come as a result of applying the fieldwork, in the light of her expert guidance. She truly is a gifted facilitator of our story and our personal journey! Thank you Anya for sharing your genius with us!