This memoir is not just any story, this is my story, the story of the Dog Lady of Lansing Prison.
Two elements are a must when writing a memoir. First, the prerequisite for a memorable life story is a memorable life. My life has been not only noteworthy but passed through notorious. The dramatic contrast between my infinite compliance and my ultimate breakdown of the rules was a rollercoaster! From invisible house-wife to America’s Most Wanted. I have since discovered that my behaviors and consequences were incidental to more profound flaws in my character.
“A memoir takes readers to a place that they aren’t ordinarily able to go, or frankly, wouldn’t want to go of their own accord” (Balzer. 2011. Writing and Publishing Your Memoir. )
Yet all this describes only the first aspect of writing a memoir.
The second necessity is the ability to convey the story. Writing, by itself is a complex gambit of talents. Meanwhile, I’ve been exploring the gears of Toby’s clock, my own inner workings. I’ve healed and become stronger and more familiar with me. As it turns out, I’m just like everyone else, broken.
The endless nostalgia of my life before February 12, 2006 simply provided a canvas to the colors spun from my life since then. In fact, that day was bigger than every day before it and since, except one. Today is the day that has the most impact on tomorrow, not that winter day a dozen years ago. There’s a lesson here for all, yesterday is never as important as today.
Yes, I am a writer, but more importantly, I am an explorer, a risk-taker and… a butterfly.
