Memoir Writing Made Easy: From Cave Paintings to Cloud Storage

Back in the old days, many “normal” activities required significant physical effort and time – from finding food, fetching food, and staying warm. Today, advancements in technology and innovation have made those labor-intensive tasks quick and easy, which we take for granted. That dramatic shift highlights how far we have come, making our daily routines much simpler and freeing up time for far more enjoyable activities – such as reading this Memoir Writing Made Easy blog!

Can You Imagine These Being “Normal” Activities Back in The Day?

Changing The TV Channel: Changing the TV channel back then meant getting up, walking to the TV, and turning the dial. Now, a remote (invented in 1955), voice commands, and smart home integration allow you to change the TV channel, adjust the volume, and search for shows without ever moving from your comfy spot on the couch.

• One plus back then: No one ever fought over the remote, and it never got lost.

Starting a Fire: Starting a fire back then was important AND difficult, which involved striking stones together or using friction methods like the bow drill to generate sparks. Today, fire-starting is way easier, and consists of flicking a lighter (invented in 1973) or using matches – making the job super easy, including in emergency/survival situations.

• I am an avid tent camper and like to build bonfires at night. That job is not always easy, and my wife doesn’t like it much either, because of the “smoke cologne” I receive while doing it (!)

Fetching Water: Getting water used to involve walking long distances to a river or well, filling up heavy water buckets, and then carrying the water back to where you lived. Modern plumbing delivers water directly to our taps now, of course, making that job trivial, and as simple as turning a handle.

• And while that’s wonderful, don’t get me started on my love of cold, flavored Seltzer, Pepsi Cola, and IPA!

Lighting The Night: Lighting the night back then involved burning oil lamps, candles, or torches, which typically provided poor, uneven lighting and constant maintenance. The invention of the light bulb (in 1879 and Light Emitting Diodes/LEDS today) has made night lighting easy, reliable, and safe, with just the flick of a switch.

Hunting for Food: Hunting used to be another important requirement, which involved frequently tracking animals, setting traps, and shooting game. It sometimes resulted in engaging dangerous animals also. Today, you can order your food online, and have it delivered to your door, in less than an hour.

• The only “hunting” you must do … is find the discount code.

Preserving Food: Before modern refrigeration and canning techniques, preserving food was also a tremendous challenge. People had to rely on methods such as smoking, salting, and drying food, which were labor-intensive and not reliable, either. Today, with refrigerators, freezers, and vacuum sealing, food preservation is super-efficient, safe, and it extends the shelf life of our food significantly.

• Are those expiration dates valid? We’ll discuss that in another blog.

Brushing Your Teeth: Back in the day, people used frayed sticks, rough cloth, or even crushed seashells to clean their teeth. Today, we have electric toothbrushes that not only brush your teeth, but also play your favorite musical tune – ensuring that you maintain a healthy dental hygiene and receive a smile.

• A seashell toothbrush? Talk about Morning Breath!

Taking a Bath: Back in the Medieval times, taking a bath meant hauling many buckets of water from a well, heating them over a fire, and then sharing that bathwater with the entire family! Today, you can enjoy a hot bath or shower at the twist of a faucet, including bubble jets, scented bath bombs, and even waterproof Bluetooth speakers with the music of your choice.

• I used to tell my teenage kids: “Please reduce our water bill by turning the shower on, turning it off, lathering up with the soap, and turning the water back on – briefly.” They didn’t say ‘OKAY, Boomer’ back then, but probably would today.

Finding a Date: Back then, finding a romantic partner involved many elaborate courtship rituals, social events, and/or handwritten love letters. Today, you can swipe right on a dating app while lounging in your pajamas, and instantly connect with dozens of potential matches without ever leaving the couch.

• Back in the 70’s when Disco was the rage (think of John Travolta in Saturday Night Fever) many of us would go the Disco to meet, socialize, and dance. The Disco parking lot was also a great spot for that… after about midnight.

Isn’t it amazing how those things have changed over time, for the better?!

Do you know what else has? Creating a life story memoir book.   

That has become WAY easier, cheaper, faster, and more fun due to advancements in technology, and the availability of memoir writing made easy tools.

For Example:

Digital Writing Tools: In the past, writing a memoir required pen and paper or a typewriter, making editing and formatting cumbersome. Today, word processing software like Microsoft Word and Google Docs offers easy-to-use interfaces, automatic spell check, and advanced formatting options. Cloud storage allows you to access your work from anywhere and on any device.

Templates and Guides: Numerous online resources provide templates and step-by-step guides for writing memoirs. These tools help structure your story, ensuring you cover all important aspects of your life in an organized manner.

Voice-to-Text Technology: For those who find typing laborious, voice-to-text technology allows you to dictate your story. Tools like Dragon Naturally Speaking, The Life Writer App, or built-in features in smartphones and computers convert spoken words into text, making the writing process much more accessible.

Self-Publishing Platforms: Traditional publishing involved high costs for printing, binding, and distribution. Self-publishing platforms like Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP), Smashwords, and others allow you to publish your memoir digitally or in print-on-demand formats at minimal cost.

Free or Low-Cost Software: Many writing and editing tools are available for free or at low cost. Google Docs, for example, is free and offers robust collaboration features, while affordable software options such as Scrivener and The Life Writer App provide advanced writing tools tailored for memoir authors.

Online Courses and Workshops: Affordable online courses and workshops teach memoir writing techniques, offering valuable insights and feedback without the high cost of traditional writing classes.

Collaboration and Feedback: Sharing drafts with friends, family, or writing groups via email or collaborative platforms like Google Docs and The Life Writer App accelerates the feedback process. Instant feedback helps you make quick revisions and improvements.

Publishing Speed: Self-publishing platforms enable you to publish your memoir almost instantly once it’s complete. The entire process, from writing to publication, can be completed in a fraction of the time it took with traditional publishing methods.

Multimedia Integration: Adding photos, videos, and audio recordings to your memoir is easier than ever. Digital formats allow you to embed multimedia elements, creating an interactive and engaging experience for readers.

Creative Control: Self-publishing gives you complete creative control over your memoir. You can design your own cover, choose the layout, and make all editorial decisions, allowing you to express your personality and style fully.

Writing Communities: Online writing communities and forums provide support, encouragement, and inspiration. Platforms like Wattpad, Reddit’s writing Subreddits, and writing groups on Facebook connect you with fellow writers, making the process more social and enjoyable.

By leveraging those modern tools and resources today, creating a life story memoir book has been transformed from being a daunting, expensive, and time-consuming endeavor into a manageable, cost-effective, quick, and enjoyable project.

Using any of those tools is a great way to create a memoir writing made easy result.

So, grab a notebook, computer, tablet, or even smartphone and let “the ink” flow. Your family and friends will LOVE what you write (!)