Though setting out to write your life story can be intimidating, all you really need is the ability to remember and have the desire to share your story, says personal historian Lois Sunrich. “Memories come from music, jokes, recipes, china patterns, and even cars and tractors. Let your memories inspire you.”
Sunrich, of StoryArts Inc., and other experts offer the following suggestions for people thinking about writing an autobiography:
• Collect old photos, holiday cards, letters and memorabilia, including military medals, to stir up old memories. Organize your mementos and put them where you can see them while doing this project.
• Be creative. You can even turn an old wedding gown into a cover for your book.
• Sometimes a single photo and one letter are enough to tell the story you want to tell. Or a collage of photos and memorabilia might do the trick.
• If you opt for a book or tape, you can organize by dates, decades, topics, events, turning points or whatever you wish. You don’t have to start with “I was born…” and you don’t have to include every detail of your life.
• It might help to use a notebook, dedicating a section for each season of your life, including your parents, your childhood, youth, adult years and retirement. Or use an audiotape so future generations can hear your voice. A video recording will allow them to see you as well. It also might help to ask someone to interview you.
• If you’re still overwhelmed, these words and phrases might help you get started: war, graduation, 16th birthday, allowance, first date, first kiss.
• When writing, use first person and active verbs. Be simple; Don’t try to impress. Pretend you’re talking to a friend.
• A lifetime is made up of a series of short memories; write about one at a time and don’t ignore the painful ones.
• Detailed descriptions will help future generations get a picture of the people and things you’re writing about.
• Take your time; don’t give yourself artificial deadlines.
The most important thing is to have fun doing this project. Along the way, you might learn something about yourself.
Here are some resources to help get you started:
“How to Write the Story of Your Life,” Frank P. Thomas (Writer’s Digest Books, $14.99).
“Scrapbooking with Memory Makers,” Michele Gerbrandt (Hugh Lauter Levin Associates, $25).
“The Story of a Lifetime,” Pamela and Stephen Pavuk (Triangle Publishers, $41.95).
“To Our Children’s Children: Preserving Family Histories for Generations to Come,” Bob Greene and D.G. Fulford (Doubleday, $17.95).
“When Memory Speaks,” Jill Ker Conway (Vintage Books, $13).
“Your Life as Story: Writing the New Autobiography,” Tristine Rainer (JP Tarcher, $14.95).