Life Story Tips: Get Started
I would like to write my life story, but how do I begin?
This is a common question so don't worry if you feel a bit overwhelmed.
Here is the motto I like to use for life story classes: Good Enough Is Good Enough. Don't worry about being perfect. Just have fun.
Write by hand or on a computer. If you write by hand, use every other line to make it easier on your readers. Write your story in your own words, in your own way. Don't fret about all those grammar rules you learned in school. Your family and friends are more interested in your story than they are in semi-colons.
Think small. Keep in mind that an important part of writing your life story is to create a historical record. Begin with one page telling your full name, place and date of birth, parents' complete names, and names of siblings.
Expand your first page. Tell a little more about when and where you were born, and how your parents named you. You could also write about how you felt about your name or write a bit about each sibling.
Remember the motto and have fun.
Where should I begin my life story? I don't remember much from my early years.
It is perfectly fine to begin your life story anywhere. The times and events you include are entirely up to you. Even though you may not remember certain events, you may have heard stories about them, which you can include.
For example, was there anything unusual about the circumstances surrounding your birth? Your life story is also a historical account so even small details can reveal information about the times.
In my case, I was born during World War II. My parents lived in Texas where my father, an airplane mechanic, was waiting to be shipped out for overseas duty in England. My parents' big worry was whether they would be able to obtain enough rationed gasoline for my mother to make it back to her family in Oklahoma before the baby came. Of course, I don't remember the actual events, but I remember hearing the exciting details as I grew up.
What was happening in the world when you were born? It's a great place to begin your story.
When I am busy with other things, I have lots of ideas to write about my life; but when I sit down to actually write, I draw a blank.
Here is a simple way to gather your ideas so you will be ready to write at a moment's notice. Fold a large sheet of paper into quarters. Label the top left section Childhood—birth to age twelve, name the top right section Youth—Age 13 to early 20s. The lower left quarter will be designated Adult—mid-20s to 50s; and label the last section Retirement.
Keep this paper in a handy place, and as you think of events or stories you want to include, jot them down in the appropriate section. Continue adding ideas as they occur to you.
Or instead of dividing up one large sheet of paper, you could use four sheets of computer paper or notebook paper. Label each sheet, just as you labeled the sections of the large paper.
When you sit down to write, simply choose one event from any section. After you write about each event, cross it off your list.
Enjoy the sense of accomplishment as your story begins taking shape.