By
Laura P. Valtorta
laurapv.wordpress.com
Three women presented memoirs at the November meeting of
Dinah’s Writers’ Group: two were children’s books, and one was an outline of
the writer’s life that could be turned into a complete autobiography.
Memoirs can take many forms. I appreciated hearing about the
warmth of Dinah’s father and grandfather in a picture book designed for
two-year-olds. The story had a surprising amount of depth.
Likewise, the autobiography was extremely poignant because
it highlighted a lifetime of pain and the insight that came from overcoming
mistreatment. Serious abuse can land a person in jail, or it can propel them to
the top. The outcome depends on the stuff that person is made of.
Meanwhile, I’m trying to weave the peaks and valleys of my
life into a manual for indie filmmakers. I think this is appropriate. Dinah’s
group suggested I rename it Autobiography
of a Filmmaker.
As writers, we don’t create stories out of nothing. Art
stems from experiences, like a lunch in Newberry followed by an evening Durga
Puja ceremony. A trip to Cuba.
I create art, both films and stories, in order to
communicate a message that could be the color of a conversation or an outright
lesson on decency. These messages come from my family life, my friends, and my
work as an attorney.
Judges and courtrooms don’t matter. The day I quit enjoying
my clients will be the day I quit practicing law. Their lives are art; their
faces are beautiful. My sisters, parents, husband and children are what make
life meaningful. Or extremely frustrating. I hope my autobiography will do them
all justice.
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