Vice Patrol
April 9, 2008
The first writing exercise for the online class in memoir says: Write about something awful you’ve done in your life. Dare to be honest.
I consider this. Some categories of awful can be ruled out quickly—murder, drug trafficking, fraud, solicitation, bunko. Tax evasion. There may be a “Wanted” poster with my picture in the PTO work room at school.
Various not-proud-of-that moments come to mind. Are they awful? Worthy of 500 words? This is what comes from skipping Lent. I haven’t spent near enough time digging in the shadows, watching at minus tide to see what’s deposited on the ocean floor.
What I choose for the assignment seems fairly benign on the scale of awful: a catty remark. Friends read the exercise and shake their heads, is that really the worst you can come up with?
Perhaps they know my vices lean towards scarves, gym avoidance, good chocolate, and Dorothy Sayers. Or travel porn—tour catalogs, articles, memoir-–anything that fuels my lust for Europe. I’ve been on a Jane bender since January, when Masterpiece Theater began broadcasting Pride & Prejudice.
Because my nasty remark has bothered me for years, I suspect there is much more to it. (Emma Woodhouse knows exactly what I mean.) In the murk of “awful” is more to be found than vice or felony—there’s abuse of class, consumption, resource, power, knowledge, trust. Dare to be honest.
Entry Filed under: Creative Nonfiction, Memoir. Tags: Lon Chaney, Memoir, Lent, writing class, Dorothy Sayers, Jane Austen.
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1.
sarahemc2 | April 9, 2008 at 11:20 pm
I’ve given it thought, and I think you are right — your catty remark is an awful act. My example was, in fact, not an awful act. You genuinely regret yours, I’m actually pretty proud of mine–despite it’s embarrassing location.
I also think it will make a better essay, being the sort of awful thing we are all guilty of from time to time.
2.
inktarsia | April 9, 2008 at 11:32 pm
Dare to post your story here, Sarah. It’s hilarious and you have every right to be proud. E=S/M2.
3.
Lauralyn | April 10, 2008 at 7:34 pm
Oh, if only I had to work to think of awful things I’ve done, I have but to open my front door and they come rolling down onto me like an avalanche. (From whichever side I open it, actually)
4.
Kathy | April 10, 2008 at 7:35 pm
I read both stories and both were good…and honest. I think I could identify more with the catty remark, as I’ve made several in my life. My mouth tends to get me in trouble at times, and I always regret it. But oh, how I would love to have a “Club” story! There are a few things I could write about, but I don’t have the nerve to be that honest. What’s the next assignment Sherry?
5.
Sarah | April 11, 2008 at 11:55 pm
Sherry,
You have my permission to repost the club story here if you want, but I didn’t save the email and can’t write it all out again… I can only tell that story about once every three years, or I start to worry that maybe I’m not really sorry I hit the guy… maybe I’m bragging a little.
I hope not, but if I tell it to often, I start to get a hillbilly twang going there at the end and I can feel my tough-girl face coming on.