An End Times Memoir Writing Update, with Reflections on the Act of Memoir Writing

I'm currently working on a theological memoir of sorts, telling a bit of my story while reflecting on a massively influential theme of my early years: the keen conviction that we were living in the end times, as depicted in the Book of Revelation. It's been quite a journey so far (writing memoir is an odd endeavor) but I'm now working with a good first draft. By "good" I don't mean it's good writing, far from it--this is the first draft after all. But I do mean I've now got a good amount of material to work with: I've written 11 full chapters, and I'm waiting to complete the final one when I have a stronger second draft.

I'm playing with two working titles at this point.

Diving into the stories of the past, writing them as you remember them, and then reflecting on the way you were shaped in those moments and relationships is such a profound experience. I do recommend it for anyone, even if you have no intention of publishing. And it's uncovering just how much story there is to tell, to consider, even to interpret from my own, simple life.

As I said, memoir writing is an odd endeavor. I never grasped how it is that someone could write a number of memoirs, but as I've dived into my own past with this apocalyptic theme in mind, it's become clearer to me how many different ways we can examine and even interpret our own stories.

If you are looking through a family lens, you might tell your story one way. If you are considering a particular event, you'll likely come at it from another angle. If you are thinking of your education, or some specific development (perhaps as an athlete or entrepreneur), then the stories you'll tell will reflect that focus. It's not that stories won't overlap, but what and how you tell it will be influenced by your hunt for meaning and the story you are telling now. And there is illumination along the way.

I'm writing a memoir on the end times, looking at people and events which shaped me as I grew up under the power of a particular belief. I'm discovering that certain stories will be told, while others won't be, all because of how they relate to my theme. The reason I am telling my story is not only so that I can understand myself more, but also so that I can help others who have experienced similar theological influences. That influences how I tell it.

And so, though I'm now facing the daunting task of more editing, fleshing things out, cutting it down, then adding more back, all the while trying to make it honest, real, helpful, and compelling, I'm excited to be moving forward. I'm writing 3-4 mornings per week, usually in the wee hours of the morning, and so far enjoying the process.

Have you ever considered writing your story?