Writing Your Life Story

Each of us has our own unique story. Our memories can evoke a wide range of emotions. They can bring a smile and remind us of a time when we were particularly happy. Other memories can bring tears, especially when they are memories of a broken heart.

With some thought, we can also recall experiences that have affected our ideas and ideals. They are the basis of our hopes, distrust, and uncertainty. They have contributed to our commitments and distractions. They surely give voice to our dreams and determinations.

Whether you are writing for your grandchildren, to help or inspire others outside your family, or to leave a lasting voice to celebrate your life, you have a story to tell! Your memoir can be about a single period of your life or the whole of your life.

This is your history. Be willing to go on an emotional journey that can be both wonderful and painful. Be willing to tell the truth. It is essential you do your very best to be honest and open about your life experiences.

Organize your thoughts into lists such as important dates in your life, work, or career; domestic and foreign travel destinations; moments that left you feeling wonderful or sad; milestones in your childhood or family life; and, of course, your personal dreams and passions. Make a note of what was fun, what was frightening, and what may have stopped you from doing what you really wanted to do in life.

 

The Writing Process

Remember to write from your voice in the first person. Unlike an autobiography that is usually written in chronological order, a memoir can begin and end wherever you want and that best tells your story. Everyone has a story to tell. I encourage you to tell yours. Writing your life story can be an emotional, exciting, moving, and rewarding experience.

 

Writing Your Life Story Tips

• Start writing in a journal or notebook
• Make a list of important dates and events in your life
• Make a list of your life experiences
• Jog your memory with photos and mementos
• Gather pertinent information
• Research as many details as possible
• Determine your goals
• Write what inspires you
• Decide if you want to write about a part or all of your life
• Prepare to tell the truth
• Relate to all your life senses: sight, sound, smell, touch, and taste
• Read at least several memoirs
• Don’t let the negative opinions of others deter you
• Keep writing
• Get help editing, proofreading, marketing, and selling your book

 

 

Marcia Rosen (aka M. Glenda Rosen) is an award-winning author of eleven books including her newest one, An Agatha, Raymond, Sherlock and Me Mystery: Murder at the Zoo plus The Senior Sleuths, Dying To Be Beautiful Mystery Series, and The Gourmet Gangster: Mysteries and Menus (menus by her son Jory Rosen). She is also author of The Woman’s Business Therapist and award-winning My Memoir Workbook and has given memoir writing presentations and classes for close to 20 years. She has assisted many authors in developing, writing, publishing, and promoting their books. For 25 years, she was owner of a successful national marketing and public relations agency. Marcia has frequently been a speaker or program moderator at organization meetings and conferences, bookstores, libraries, and Zoom programs. Topics she has taught and presented over the past 20 years include Encouraging the Writer Within You, Marketing for Authors, Writing Mysteries…Not A Mystery, Writing Your Memoir, and recently Anatomy of Writing a Murder. Many articles on these topics have been published on mystery reader blogs and in newsletters and magazines and her newest articles relating include Location, Location, Location: Murders Have Their Places; Hearing Voices of Past Famous Detectives: Their Impact and Influences; and Writing Mysteries at a Zoo: With Caution. She is a member of Sisters in Crime National and New Mexico (Croak & Dagger), Southwest Writers, New Mexico Book Association, Women Writing the West, Public Safety Writer’s Association, Women’s National Book Association, and National Association of Independent Writers and Editors.