Yesterday I read a few rambling autobiographies by Sherri, Peter, Elisabeth, and Angela. Angela shared the mentor text by Linda Rief and the link to her Quickwrite book, where you can download a sample of some of her very accessible prompts. Thanks for all the inspiration, and to those who have been inspiring me to get up and write in the morning, thank you, too. This is my first morning slice in a while.
I took Linda’s autobiography and made a list of her sentence starters. It was nice to have a structure, but I veered off as necessary. I used the prompts like a Rorschach ink blot–I wrote whatever thought came first. I’m putting her openers here in case anyone wants to copy them.
I was born…
I adore…
I bought…
I have…
I never…
One of my…
When I was (age)…
My favorite place…
I can still (sense)…
I dated…
I fainted…
I gave…
I once had…
I am…
I want to…
Here is my rambling autobiography for today.
I was born the same year as the microchip. People were hula hooping, singing “Catch a Falling Star,” and dancing the Cha-cha when I debuted. I was kissed by an angel and set into a family with enough girls already, thank you very much. I crave sourdough toast. I bought my first car for $250 and burned out the engine after two weeks. The new motor cost $250, but my uncle who sold me the car paid for it. I have stolen penny candy from the dime store. I never drank alcohol after I turned 21, only before. One of my first memories is sleeping in a crib in my parents’ room and watching my dad get ready for work in the dark. When I was ten, I cut two half circles in my leg trying to use aluminum lawn chairs for crutches. My favorite place to sit is on the Lazy Boy love seat with my husband of almost 40 years. I can still taste the popovers dripping with butter and honey that my grandma made for us when I was young. Today I use her very same dishes to bake them myself, though they are never as good. I dated a few people only to confirm the choice of my husband. It took me seven years to say yes, and I’ve been saying yes ever since. I was seven years old when my father died, and I didn’t go to his funeral. I gave a kidney to a friend; it lasted twelve years, dying when he did. I am grateful Jesus saved me from my narrow and fearful self. I once came close to making all-stars in Bobby Sox softball. My husband just brought me oatmeal pancakes with banana strawberry topping. I am here to love and be loved. I want to live fully and die giving my all.
Happy morning to you, Denise. Writing is such a perfect way to get to know someone, and I’ve loved getting to know you through your posts and poetry on EthicalELA. I’m a big fan on this form, but when i first learned about it in 1992 (maybe a year or two earlier), it was called a Random Autobiography. My professor said it came from the NWP. I shared it w/ students often over the years and was in awe of their brilliance. I think often about where ideas originate and wonder about who first created this form.
This is a great format and your details show the intensity of your love for family and friends. I might just have to try this.
Denise, I am loving your autobiography – it’s such an amazing way to know people. Two circles in your legs using lawn chairs as crutches – oh my! I didn’t mean to laugh, because that’s not a laughable thing – – but I’ll admit I chuckled a bit at the irony of trying to use crutches you didn’t need and finding a reason to have to use them. Those pancakes sound delicious. Too many girls in a family is never enough. I’m glad you’re you!
This is an amazing rendition of the rambling autobiography with so many things unique to you. One of the things Linda Rief says about it is you can get so many stories out of this one exercise. You have enough here to slice you through March and beyond. Giving a kidney is such a selfless act. I’m not sure I could do it. I’d love to hear more about this.
Love the idea of a rambling autobiography! I am smitten with this line, “My favorite place to sit is on the Lazy Boy love seat with my husband of almost 40 years. “
Denise, this rambling autobiography is a gorgeous piece of writing. Look at all the varied threads of a life, how they are wound together, and how full of meaning and importance…I shall have to try this. Thank you for this magnificent inspiration!
Denise, there are so many stories here, and I’m dying to know more. When ever will we get to sit and chat over a cuppa joe? 🙂
Also, I can’t wait to try this format!
Denise, I just had to read your rambling autobiography after reading Fran’s. I love the format and feel I know more about you now. Giving a kidney is a beautiful gesture of love and faith. Thanks for sharing that.