Triggers for Good Memoir, Life Story or Life Review Writing

By admin, on September 2nd, 2010

Yesterday was the first of the month and that means my newsletter was sent out to the subscribers who have requested receiving a copy -o help them write their life stories. What I sent out was about being an empty nester. I hit a nerve. Mostly because it is that time of year when we are sending our kids off to college and our homes become empty with out the loud noises of people rushing around on their busy lives. I have included the triggers below that may help you write. Some of the questions might get you to start thinking about your life as an adult. This is a great place to start to write your life review or personal history. If you are working on a memoir you might start it at this place to work forward or back. Good Writing—

Triggers
1. Did you do anything to prepare to be an empty nester ?
2. Did you ever think about this before you noticed your nest was empty? If not, why?
3. When did you notice the house was empty? Was it gradual or did it hit you like a hammer over your head?
4. How did your life change once the kids left?
5. Are you still together with the other parent of your children? Did you need to reintroduce yourselves to each other once you were alone?
6. Did you grow apart?
7. What were the ways that you recreated your relationship?
8. If you’re a mom, did you start a career that you had put off to be a mom?
9.If you’re a dad, were you able to pursue new hobbies or activities once your children were gone?
10. Did you view this as a good thing or a bad thing?
11. What is your relationship now with your adult children ?
12. If you are a grandparent, has that changed your life?
13. Many children now go off to college and then move back home again. Did that happen at your home?
14. Since you are no longer an active parent, do you have more time? More money? More peace?
15. Now that you have time to reﬂ ect, are these the best years of your life?