Why Write?
How writing not only gives meaning to your memories but also helps you hold onto them.
Last weekend, I found myself cataloging our recent family vacation in a journal, jotting down everything—what we did, who we saw, what we ate, and how our sons perfected their eye rolls. Unlike my usual journal entries where I explore how I feel about the events in my life and the meaning I make of them, this entry was just facts.
Why was I spending my precious writing time on monotony? I wasn’t sure, but I knew all writing was worthwhile.
Turns out, there’s a good reason to commit these experiences to the page (even if I didn’t know it yet), particularly as I watch my mom’s memory decline from the ravages of Alzheimer’s disease.
I want to remember the details. All the details. And the meaning I might make from them years from now.
After the new year, it struck me that what I was doing, to some degree, was creating a revivable memory. When one of my editors asked for pitches about relationships and parenting last week, I pitched the idea as a reported essay about how to help myself, and my children, if I get hit with dementia.
We’ve all read stories about parents with terminal illnesses who have written letters and wrapped gifts for their children, but I’ve never seen an author extol the virtues of writing to your future, ailing self.
A bonus to this approach: Research shows that writing, especially if you do it by hand, produces brain-protective benefits. A January 2024 study published in Frontiers in Psychology found distinct differences in brain connectivity patterns between writing by hand versus typing. Another study published in The Journals of Gerontology in 2016, reported that journal writing predicted more than a 50% reduction in all-cause dementia risk.
So maybe I’m on to something? Maybe you can be onto something, too!
Upcoming Classes
My 2-Sunday essay writing workshop kicks off THIS SUNDAY and I would love to work with a group of dedicated writers who are interested in mining their experiences to produce personal and reported essays.
The first Sunday we’ll focus on three things:
Discussing the difference between personal and reported essays.
Reviewing effective essays of both types and identifying the key elements of a salable essay.
Brainstorming essay ideas in a low-stakes environment.
The second Sunday we’ll workshop your essays and reported essay pitches live. As part of the class, you’ll receive a bonus: A 1-hour webinar about writing personal and reported essays featuring Good Housekeeping editor Marisa LaScala.
Attendees are limited to 8. Please send me a sample of your published or unpublished work to reserve your spot.
Please note: I am offering a scholarship to writers who have been affected by the LA-area fires. Please email me at amy@amypaturel.com to apply.
Pro Quote
“People write sometimes because they need to be known, they need to be seen. They need to not be invisible. The definition of an artist is don't erase me.” – Liz Gilbert? Cheryl Strayed? Glennon Doyle? I can’t remember who shared this nugget of wisdom, but I was struck by the words and committed them to the page.
Student Clip
Jeni Driscoll, a student in my self-guided course, wrote this beautiful essay about how her garden helped her recall treasured memories.
A favorite line: “It wasn’t lost on me that as my plants were thriving, my mom was dying.”
And an important reminder: “Mom knew something was very wrong. She told me, ‘Jen,’ make sure you do the things you want to do because one day you won’t be able to.”
If you’re a current or former student, please share your essays with me when you publish! I love keeping a running list of student wins—and you’ll likely get a few more eyeballs on your work, too.
Hey Amy - this resonates with me big time! My biggest project (still unfinished) is a scrapbook with a page(or pages) for every year of my life. The pages have photos, lists (like what I was listening to music wise, reading, etc.), family names (birthplaces, birthdates, etc.), where I lived (home addresses), pics of school achievements and my degrees, etc. etc. The origin story of my scrapbook project? When my mom started to suffer from Parkinson's-related dementia, I figured it would be helpful to me at some point in the future to have my life documented - mostly with the hopes that what I was seeing and reading would help retrieve memories. I should get back to it - thanks for the reminder!