Writing MY Memoir
@tomowenswriter.bsky.social
AuDHD. Officially diagnosed at age 60. Freelance writer. Pals with PennyTheCat. Vegetarian (me, not her). Future memoirist, learning by doing.
I am so tired of the used-to-death phrase "Pick your brain" as slang for asking questions (for free).
This is what I think of the e-mail request belonging to EYEGOR from the 1974 movie.
You have my permission to watch it again. Blame Halloween on the diversion.
This is what I think of the e-mail request belonging to EYEGOR from the 1974 movie.
You have my permission to watch it again. Blame Halloween on the diversion.
October 14, 2025 at 3:57 PM
I am so tired of the used-to-death phrase "Pick your brain" as slang for asking questions (for free).
This is what I think of the e-mail request belonging to EYEGOR from the 1974 movie.
You have my permission to watch it again. Blame Halloween on the diversion.
This is what I think of the e-mail request belonging to EYEGOR from the 1974 movie.
You have my permission to watch it again. Blame Halloween on the diversion.
I loved this at my local grocery store.
The manager taking students seriously.
Giving them a taste of the real world.
Who gave you your first big chance as a teen?
The manager taking students seriously.
Giving them a taste of the real world.
Who gave you your first big chance as a teen?
October 7, 2025 at 3:29 PM
I loved this at my local grocery store.
The manager taking students seriously.
Giving them a taste of the real world.
Who gave you your first big chance as a teen?
The manager taking students seriously.
Giving them a taste of the real world.
Who gave you your first big chance as a teen?
The geese swooped low over the field across the street. Their shadows seemed like an encore.
I thought of the Blue Angels, the Navy's precision flying team.
All I had to do was stop and be amazed!
(Illustration made with Meta AI.)
I thought of the Blue Angels, the Navy's precision flying team.
All I had to do was stop and be amazed!
(Illustration made with Meta AI.)
October 5, 2025 at 10:51 PM
The geese swooped low over the field across the street. Their shadows seemed like an encore.
I thought of the Blue Angels, the Navy's precision flying team.
All I had to do was stop and be amazed!
(Illustration made with Meta AI.)
I thought of the Blue Angels, the Navy's precision flying team.
All I had to do was stop and be amazed!
(Illustration made with Meta AI.)
Please, PET YOUR PET today.
You are their world.
Thank them!
You are their world.
Thank them!
September 28, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Please, PET YOUR PET today.
You are their world.
Thank them!
You are their world.
Thank them!
Who has been peeking at their Bluesky page while at work on a Friday afternoon?
There needs to be more memoirs about people who work a job.
A friend said to me, "I am not my job. My job doesn't define me. I have a life."
Meanwhile, clock watchers, prepare to be like Fred Flintstone!
There needs to be more memoirs about people who work a job.
A friend said to me, "I am not my job. My job doesn't define me. I have a life."
Meanwhile, clock watchers, prepare to be like Fred Flintstone!
September 26, 2025 at 7:49 PM
Who has been peeking at their Bluesky page while at work on a Friday afternoon?
There needs to be more memoirs about people who work a job.
A friend said to me, "I am not my job. My job doesn't define me. I have a life."
Meanwhile, clock watchers, prepare to be like Fred Flintstone!
There needs to be more memoirs about people who work a job.
A friend said to me, "I am not my job. My job doesn't define me. I have a life."
Meanwhile, clock watchers, prepare to be like Fred Flintstone!
Your uplifting new book and The Inspired Collective are bringing hope to the creatively discouraged. People like ME.
I am one of the Whos down in Whoville. Instead of shouting, "We are here!" I'm calling out "We are writers. We are authors!"
Thank you for shining your spotlight on us.
I am one of the Whos down in Whoville. Instead of shouting, "We are here!" I'm calling out "We are writers. We are authors!"
Thank you for shining your spotlight on us.
September 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Your uplifting new book and The Inspired Collective are bringing hope to the creatively discouraged. People like ME.
I am one of the Whos down in Whoville. Instead of shouting, "We are here!" I'm calling out "We are writers. We are authors!"
Thank you for shining your spotlight on us.
I am one of the Whos down in Whoville. Instead of shouting, "We are here!" I'm calling out "We are writers. We are authors!"
Thank you for shining your spotlight on us.
I just got Amie McNee's new book. WOW. If you feel alone or discouraged as a creator, this author will supercharge your imagination.
This is the ultimate pep talk for someone trying to make things, but not knowing how to keep going.
This is the ultimate pep talk for someone trying to make things, but not knowing how to keep going.
September 21, 2025 at 5:42 PM
I just got Amie McNee's new book. WOW. If you feel alone or discouraged as a creator, this author will supercharge your imagination.
This is the ultimate pep talk for someone trying to make things, but not knowing how to keep going.
This is the ultimate pep talk for someone trying to make things, but not knowing how to keep going.
The maple whispered in my ear:
"Enjoy your weekend. But autumn is coming."
"Enjoy your weekend. But autumn is coming."
September 6, 2025 at 5:07 PM
The maple whispered in my ear:
"Enjoy your weekend. But autumn is coming."
"Enjoy your weekend. But autumn is coming."
He's Mickey Mouse.
You're not.
Don't try to be two places at once.
Now is NOW.
Focus!
You're not.
Don't try to be two places at once.
Now is NOW.
Focus!
July 20, 2025 at 4:30 PM
He's Mickey Mouse.
You're not.
Don't try to be two places at once.
Now is NOW.
Focus!
You're not.
Don't try to be two places at once.
Now is NOW.
Focus!
Thanks, Meta AI. AuDHD me is on a diet.
These are my thoughts.
Choose words that SHOW your world.
Let the readers make the picture in their heads.
These are my thoughts.
Choose words that SHOW your world.
Let the readers make the picture in their heads.
July 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Thanks, Meta AI. AuDHD me is on a diet.
These are my thoughts.
Choose words that SHOW your world.
Let the readers make the picture in their heads.
These are my thoughts.
Choose words that SHOW your world.
Let the readers make the picture in their heads.
My new single-vision "computer" glasses are great.
They're better than I imagined. I feel like a kid again.
CLICK.
CLICK.
CLICK.
They're better than I imagined. I feel like a kid again.
CLICK.
CLICK.
CLICK.
July 9, 2025 at 1:15 PM
My new single-vision "computer" glasses are great.
They're better than I imagined. I feel like a kid again.
CLICK.
CLICK.
CLICK.
They're better than I imagined. I feel like a kid again.
CLICK.
CLICK.
CLICK.
Be nice to yourself.
Don't bawl yourself out for not writing your memoir during a three-day weekend.
Look ahead, not behind.
Don't bawl yourself out for not writing your memoir during a three-day weekend.
Look ahead, not behind.
July 7, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Be nice to yourself.
Don't bawl yourself out for not writing your memoir during a three-day weekend.
Look ahead, not behind.
Don't bawl yourself out for not writing your memoir during a three-day weekend.
Look ahead, not behind.
"In the arts, as in life, everything is possible, provided it is based on love."
-- Marc Chagall, painter, born July 6, 1887
-- Marc Chagall, painter, born July 6, 1887
July 6, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"In the arts, as in life, everything is possible, provided it is based on love."
-- Marc Chagall, painter, born July 6, 1887
-- Marc Chagall, painter, born July 6, 1887
I think some new memoirists want to be detectives first.
Who. Where. When. Right?
Readers are seeking your FEELINGS, not just your data.
Who. Where. When. Right?
Readers are seeking your FEELINGS, not just your data.
June 26, 2025 at 2:35 AM
I think some new memoirists want to be detectives first.
Who. Where. When. Right?
Readers are seeking your FEELINGS, not just your data.
Who. Where. When. Right?
Readers are seeking your FEELINGS, not just your data.
I asked Meta AI how George Washington might have blended in at a "No Kings" protest.
The lesson: blending in is tough. Stand out like you mean it!
The lesson: blending in is tough. Stand out like you mean it!
June 15, 2025 at 10:01 AM
I asked Meta AI how George Washington might have blended in at a "No Kings" protest.
The lesson: blending in is tough. Stand out like you mean it!
The lesson: blending in is tough. Stand out like you mean it!
AuDHD writers, no need to isolate yourself this weekend.
A beautiful day. Fun you could do outdoors?
Here's an idea: don't feel under "home arrest." Write down your idea before you go out for grown-up recess.
Then, return and say, "We rejoin our regularly-scheduled program, already in progress."
A beautiful day. Fun you could do outdoors?
Here's an idea: don't feel under "home arrest." Write down your idea before you go out for grown-up recess.
Then, return and say, "We rejoin our regularly-scheduled program, already in progress."
June 14, 2025 at 3:20 PM
AuDHD writers, no need to isolate yourself this weekend.
A beautiful day. Fun you could do outdoors?
Here's an idea: don't feel under "home arrest." Write down your idea before you go out for grown-up recess.
Then, return and say, "We rejoin our regularly-scheduled program, already in progress."
A beautiful day. Fun you could do outdoors?
Here's an idea: don't feel under "home arrest." Write down your idea before you go out for grown-up recess.
Then, return and say, "We rejoin our regularly-scheduled program, already in progress."
My best friend just sat down beside my chair.
"Tell them from us that we care.
"Tell them to never stop trying.
"And tell them they are not alone."
A message from PennyTheCat
"Tell them from us that we care.
"Tell them to never stop trying.
"And tell them they are not alone."
A message from PennyTheCat
June 14, 2025 at 2:08 AM
My best friend just sat down beside my chair.
"Tell them from us that we care.
"Tell them to never stop trying.
"And tell them they are not alone."
A message from PennyTheCat
"Tell them from us that we care.
"Tell them to never stop trying.
"And tell them they are not alone."
A message from PennyTheCat
One P.S. about neurotypical babblers:
Try raising a finger (no, not THAT finger) to signal you want a turn to talk.
A single finger hints you may have ONE sentence or topic.
If that doesn't work, give them the STOP sign.
Tell it to the hand, normie!
(Unsplash image by Photo by Ryan Irizarry)
Try raising a finger (no, not THAT finger) to signal you want a turn to talk.
A single finger hints you may have ONE sentence or topic.
If that doesn't work, give them the STOP sign.
Tell it to the hand, normie!
(Unsplash image by Photo by Ryan Irizarry)
June 10, 2025 at 1:11 PM
One P.S. about neurotypical babblers:
Try raising a finger (no, not THAT finger) to signal you want a turn to talk.
A single finger hints you may have ONE sentence or topic.
If that doesn't work, give them the STOP sign.
Tell it to the hand, normie!
(Unsplash image by Photo by Ryan Irizarry)
Try raising a finger (no, not THAT finger) to signal you want a turn to talk.
A single finger hints you may have ONE sentence or topic.
If that doesn't work, give them the STOP sign.
Tell it to the hand, normie!
(Unsplash image by Photo by Ryan Irizarry)
If you pronounced the letters "AuDHD" as words, you might say "Odd hood."
I asked Meta AI to illustrate what an "Odd hood" might look like.
What better model than Honest Abe?
I asked Meta AI to illustrate what an "Odd hood" might look like.
What better model than Honest Abe?
June 8, 2025 at 9:27 PM
If you pronounced the letters "AuDHD" as words, you might say "Odd hood."
I asked Meta AI to illustrate what an "Odd hood" might look like.
What better model than Honest Abe?
I asked Meta AI to illustrate what an "Odd hood" might look like.
What better model than Honest Abe?
My AUDHD overthinking outshone the pound of strawberries I gobbled for dinner.
I looked in the mirror after dinner. Did the sun give me freckles?
Or, did I have an allergic reaction?
Conspiracy theories sprouted. Worry. Doubt.
Then, I brushed off my face. Sticky, scary berry seeds. Cured!
I looked in the mirror after dinner. Did the sun give me freckles?
Or, did I have an allergic reaction?
Conspiracy theories sprouted. Worry. Doubt.
Then, I brushed off my face. Sticky, scary berry seeds. Cured!
May 31, 2025 at 10:02 AM
My AUDHD overthinking outshone the pound of strawberries I gobbled for dinner.
I looked in the mirror after dinner. Did the sun give me freckles?
Or, did I have an allergic reaction?
Conspiracy theories sprouted. Worry. Doubt.
Then, I brushed off my face. Sticky, scary berry seeds. Cured!
I looked in the mirror after dinner. Did the sun give me freckles?
Or, did I have an allergic reaction?
Conspiracy theories sprouted. Worry. Doubt.
Then, I brushed off my face. Sticky, scary berry seeds. Cured!
Yes, I know this is an "as told to" memoir. Some purists will insist that memoirs cannot be collaborations.
However, I maintain that 9-1/2 out of 10 Hollywood memoirs are tandem writing or ghost-written.
This book is from 1955. Age has no bearing in making a good memoir.
#memoir
#booksky
However, I maintain that 9-1/2 out of 10 Hollywood memoirs are tandem writing or ghost-written.
This book is from 1955. Age has no bearing in making a good memoir.
#memoir
#booksky
May 18, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Dave Barry is 77. He's author of a just-published memoir, "Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass: How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up"
Readers: does the age of a memoirist matter to you? If so, when?
Readers: does the age of a memoirist matter to you? If so, when?
May 14, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Dave Barry is 77. He's author of a just-published memoir, "Class Clown: The Memoirs of a Professional Wiseass: How I Went 77 Years Without Growing Up"
Readers: does the age of a memoirist matter to you? If so, when?
Readers: does the age of a memoirist matter to you? If so, when?
Here's another twist on the idea of "seasonal" memoirs.
Author Tom Stanton attended every game in 1999, the last year the Tigers played in old Tigers Stadium.
In two-plus decades, Stanton's memoir remains unmatched by other baseball titles.
So, why don't season-ticket holders write memoirs?
Author Tom Stanton attended every game in 1999, the last year the Tigers played in old Tigers Stadium.
In two-plus decades, Stanton's memoir remains unmatched by other baseball titles.
So, why don't season-ticket holders write memoirs?
May 13, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Here's another twist on the idea of "seasonal" memoirs.
Author Tom Stanton attended every game in 1999, the last year the Tigers played in old Tigers Stadium.
In two-plus decades, Stanton's memoir remains unmatched by other baseball titles.
So, why don't season-ticket holders write memoirs?
Author Tom Stanton attended every game in 1999, the last year the Tigers played in old Tigers Stadium.
In two-plus decades, Stanton's memoir remains unmatched by other baseball titles.
So, why don't season-ticket holders write memoirs?
How many of you were veteran baby-sitters, but assumed your misadventures happened to everyone?
Those true-life tales, contrasted with the stories you swapped with other young child care co-workers, that's the stuff of a juicy memoir.
Those true-life tales, contrasted with the stories you swapped with other young child care co-workers, that's the stuff of a juicy memoir.
May 11, 2025 at 3:41 PM
How many of you were veteran baby-sitters, but assumed your misadventures happened to everyone?
Those true-life tales, contrasted with the stories you swapped with other young child care co-workers, that's the stuff of a juicy memoir.
Those true-life tales, contrasted with the stories you swapped with other young child care co-workers, that's the stuff of a juicy memoir.
Why not laugh?
AuDHD is the stuff of daily frustration. How could I say that, or DO THAT?
Shame sucks. Embarrassment gets boring.
Be the star of your own sitcom. Try to learn from the mishap. However, don't dwell in the past.
Tomorrow, you'll have more opportunity for all-new zany antics!
AuDHD is the stuff of daily frustration. How could I say that, or DO THAT?
Shame sucks. Embarrassment gets boring.
Be the star of your own sitcom. Try to learn from the mishap. However, don't dwell in the past.
Tomorrow, you'll have more opportunity for all-new zany antics!
May 6, 2025 at 3:20 AM
Why not laugh?
AuDHD is the stuff of daily frustration. How could I say that, or DO THAT?
Shame sucks. Embarrassment gets boring.
Be the star of your own sitcom. Try to learn from the mishap. However, don't dwell in the past.
Tomorrow, you'll have more opportunity for all-new zany antics!
AuDHD is the stuff of daily frustration. How could I say that, or DO THAT?
Shame sucks. Embarrassment gets boring.
Be the star of your own sitcom. Try to learn from the mishap. However, don't dwell in the past.
Tomorrow, you'll have more opportunity for all-new zany antics!