Before the advent of written language, the first memoirist drew on cave walls to give the oral tradition permanency, recounting a perilous journey to an unsafe world, personal heroism and a safe return. Today, the desire to leave a permanent record of one's life is as undeniable as ever. Fortunately, you don't need to spear a mastodon to be the hero of your own journey. Memoir writing is therapeutic, revelatory, satisfying and communal at many levels.
Retirement is a good time to get started.
It sure beats boredom. Actor Karl Malden's heroic journey took him from the steel mills of Gary, Ind., to stardom. We laughed a lot and we cried some as we went through this together. I learned how wonderful she is. You needn't be a famous actor or a writer, a conqueror or a captain of industry.