It is the number one question I get when I hold workshops on life story writing It is how do I start or where do I start my memoir? I have three regular answers.
- Just start. Start to write about anything. Write about what is on your mind and why. Your story will be made up of hundreds of stories so you just need to start collecting your stories.
- For those organized thinkers do a time line of all the important events in you life. I recommend leaving it alone for at least two weeks before you visit the list again and see how much more information you can add. Then start at the first entry and keep writing until you reach the last entry.
- Read my new book to use the triggers to get started that help you put thoughts to paper. Read my free monthly newsletter to see what I am writing about. Just email me at hella@personalhistories101.com to sign up.
What NOT to do?
If you are serious about writing your life story do not read some else’s memoir. You will find it intimidating and will not ever put pen to paper. Most of us will never publish our life story for others to read. It is for our family to understand our lives and know us better as people . It is for us to understand ourselves better when we step away to reflect. What is important to a literary memoir like pace and drama are not the things to get some one to read you life story. Mom or Dad or Gram our the things that get our books read. Pace and drama are superseded by love and caring. Writing a life story for family has only the rules you set with honestly and wisdom of your years.
