This Doctor of Letters Dissertation is a collection of linked stories in the form of autobiographical nonfiction narrative written in first person. The time frame of the stories is limited to my early childhood, approximately from age eight to twelve (1970s). Through stories that are both humorous and serious, I hoped to capture the innocence and joy of growing up happy.;My preparations for this work included an in-depth search for other books that could serve as models for my project; however, my search revealed a dearth of autobiographies about happy, functional lives. Although I was disappointed to find only a few books of this nature, their conspicuous absence on library and bookstore shelves further convinced me that my writing about a happy childhood would indeed make my work unusual. In addition to drawing upon what I learned from the many writing courses that I've taken at Drew, I also gathered a list of books on how to write memoir, autobiography, and nonfiction narratives. These, in addition to my excellent advisors, helped to guide me through this project. I also read autobiographies, even though most of them were lacking a positive and generally happy tone that I wish to establish in my work.;The stories that I included in this collection describe: learning life's rules (according to my mother), attempts a human flight, fond remembrances of grandparents, financial independence, an impromptu performance at a theater, working experiences, neighborhood competitions, relationships with my parents, fear at a funeral, exacting revenge, and music lessons.
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