This March I will be participating in the mont
h-long Slice of Life Challenge. Each day I will be posting a ‘slice’ from my life. This year I am using Natalie Goldberg’s book Old Friend from Far Away: The Practice of Writing Memoir to provide my sparks for memoir writing. Each post will be a quick write using one of Natalie’s exercises.
In this memoir SPARK, I have 2 to 3 minutes to respond to each memory prompt. 
See what Natalie is teaching us about? Using our senses when we write. Sound, taste, touch, sight, and smell. What do you remember when you lean on your senses for memories?
litcoachlady 
I find my memory constantly stimulated by my senses. Just reading the words sight, sound, touch, etc. sparked a memory of picking blackberries w/ my father.
Love the “I Remember” scaffold to write. I love making lists, so the 10 smells spoke to me right away. But remembering a color – ah, yes! That got me thinking because it is spring, and the hills and the trees and the gardens and forests are all remembering their colors, changing the palette of the landscape. Your writing makes me want to write again in my notebook!
I love the printing in your notebook. That sparks memories on its own. I love the other ideas, too, and I know I will be coming to them this month.
I love the way you set out your slice with that beautiful writing. And yes, the senses are so important to trigger memories and all those amazing descriptions!
Smell and sound take me back more than anything- glorious pages. Memoir is probably my favorite kind of writing. Oh, and “Slimeburger” – hilarious!
I love this! I’m jotting this down in my journal to possibly use in the future. AND, I absolutely love that we see your handwriting in your journal – somehow it make the writing more alive! Thanks for sharing and inspiring.
I love this! I am going to use this with my 6th graders!
And I loved reading your journal. Thank you for letting us in. Many of your memories sparked the same ones for me! McDonald’s was a treat for us too, especially the Shamrock Shakes!
Oooh, Shamrock Shakes! I remember how special those were when I was young…funny how they aren’t quite so tasty now, but still evoke sweet memories!
What a great exercise! You have excellent recall!
It was eery how memories came rushing back when I put pen to paper. Give it a go and see how much you remember!
I will try it!
I dug this book off my shelf last month. I’m facilitating a memoir writing group once a month. Her prompts are the best. And I love peeking at your notebook pages! I’ll be back for more of your ideas.
Ooh, I’d love to hear about your memoir writing group? How many people are in it? Natalie Goldberg has been a great mentor to me!