How to Write Your Life Story

How to Write a Memoir

How to Write a Vignette

How to Write a Journal



By Mandee Sears

All of us have stories to tell. Some sad, some of triumph and some of experience and some to let future generations of our family know what our life was like. Memoir writing or writing life story doesn't have to be a daunting task. You don't have to know how long it will be, if there is a theme or how you will publish it.

It is a misconception that you have to be famous or well-known to share your life story. True, it helps if you are seeking mainstream publication but it is not a requirement. If it were, we would never have seen books like "Eat, Pray, Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert or "The Year of Magical Thinking" by Joan Didion. What a tragedy that would have been.

Though your life story may not be destined for the bestseller list, it is still important to tell it for our loved ones. The main thing is to start. The best tip I got came from William Zinsser, author of "Writing About Your Life". He says to sit down everyday (preferably at the same time of day), pick a story from your life and write it - beginning, middle and end - then put it away. The next day, do the same thing -- pick a story, write it and put it away.

Do this for a couple of months. When you go back and read the stories you wrote in the beginning, you will notice they might be tight, stiff or self-conscious. The stories you wrote the second month will probably be more natural and warm. This is how you "find your voice" - by writing.

Ultimately, you may use all, part or none of the stories in your finished product but writing them has loosened your mind to the flood of memories that are your content - never a waste of time.

Your next question may be - How do I know what to write about? As I said above, we all have stories. Our lives are made of daily stories. Some are interesting, funny, sad or teach us something. Others are boring everyday occurrences. Your task is to fish through those memories and find the ones your family, friends or the world at large will find entertaining, relatable or informative.

Start with the memory that sticks out most in your mind. Was it

• Your Wedding Day?
• A boot camp or basic training story?
• Graduation day?
• The day you meet your significant other?
• Getting your first real job after college?
• The day your grandfather passed away?
• The day you were adopted or adopted a child?
• The birth of a child? sibling? grandchild?
• The day you received an award at work?
• The day you were informed of a serious illness?
• When you hit rock bottom?
• A triumph of any sort?
• A let down of any sort?

Our lives are rich with stories waiting to be told. At a party or family get together, listen to what others do. Do they tell stories? Yes! It is a rich tradition started around the campfire in the Stone Age. Pass your personal history, experiences, triumphs and failures on to the next generation by telling your stories.

The main thing is to start!

For more information and resources to help you start on the journey to writing your life story visit How to Write Memoir

Mandee Sears is a student of life - constantly learning and seeking knowledge. She writes articles, memoir, personal essay and loves to decorate for themed parties.