Perhaps you are feeling the nudges of spirit and family to capture the stories? I know how you feel. Those were the promptings I felt when I became a personal and oral historian.
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A personal memoir is a written account of one’s own life experiences, memories, and reflections. It often focuses on specific events, themes, or periods in the author’s life. You do not need to consider writing a book length memoir. How about a short letter or a series of essays that are included in an anthology. Check out “My Grandfather’s Blessings” by Rachel Naomi Remen, M.D She also wrote “Kitchen Table Wisdom” These short easy to read essays carry a gift of wisdom.
Writing a memoir or lifestory allows you to preserve your memories, share your experiences with others. While you are writing in order to leave a legacy, you will find that it will be a wonderful opportunity to do a life review, and gain insight and understanding. While composing this on the keyboard or recording, you will be able to reframe memories into life lessons. While writing personal narratives is not therapy, it is a therapeutic and cathartic process.
Begin by brainstorming significant events, people, and themes in your life. Consider creating an outline or timeline to organize your thoughts and structure your memoir. Keep a notebook handy or make notes on your phone as you remember things you want to explore further in your personal narrative. We want to invite you to join our private Facebook group and tae advantage of the many online courses we offer. You will be so glad you did.
While chronological order is common, you can choose to organize your memoir thematically, focusing on specific topics or periods of your life. The most interesting stories are about a certain theme, time or lesson learned in life. Think about what you want to share with the reader. It is not about dates and places, necessarily. But rather the story surrounding a certain period in your life and what moral or lesson you want impart.
Focus on events, experiences, and relationships that have had a significant impact on you or have shaped who you are today. Consider what themes or messages you want to convey to your readers. Think about what a “legacy letter” would include for those who come after you. Do they really care what day you started college, or about the reason you chose your career or spouse. Your triumphs and tragedies.
You have heard the old adage about when to plant a tree? Yesterday is the answer to planting a tree and writing your story. If you were a journal keeper or loved to write descriptive letters, you already have a heads start. If not, read our books, take our courses, join our Facebook group and start composing. The more you write, the better writer you will become.
Yes, it’s important to consider the privacy and feelings of others when writing about them in your memoir. You may want to use pseudonyms or obtain consent from individuals before including personal details about them.
Use descriptive language to bring your memories to life, incorporate dialogue, and show your emotions and reflections. Be honest and authentic in your storytelling.
Don’t let concerns about writing ability hold you back. Focus on telling your story in your own voice and seek feedback from others, such as writing groups or editors, to help polish your writing.
Including photographs, letters, and other visual elements can enhance your memoir and provide additional context for readers. Just be sure to obtain permission to use any copyrighted materials. The hardest part about photos, collections, letters etc. is trying to sort through the mess. Check out the Masterclass on “Making a Memoir out of The Mess” You will be glad you did.
There’s no set length for a memoir, as it can vary depending on the scope of your story and your writing style. Aim to tell your story in as many words as it needs, without unnecessary padding or detail. Some of the most impactful memoirs or life narratives are a very personal letter to a given receipient.
Yes, it’s important to consider the privacy and feelings of others when writing about them in your memoir. You may want to use pseudonyms or obtain consent from individuals before including personal details about them. But, remember this is YOUR story and your perceptions may differ from others. Check out our report section for a long article on what is truth or whose truth is truer?
Use descriptive language to bring your memories to life, incorporate dialogue, and show your emotions and reflections. Be honest and authentic in your storytelling. Remember the journalist mantra of Who, What, Where, When, Why and How. Don’t get bogged down in details that slow down the story line. Stephen King also suggests revising and cutting out unnecessary words at least nine times. I have never written anything that was not made better by an editor. We have a resource page here. Check it out.
Don’t let concerns about writing ability hold you back. Focus on telling your story in your own voice and seek feedback from others, such as writing groups or editors, to help polish your writing. The more you write the better your writing will be.
Including photographs, letters, and other visual elements can enhance your memoir and provide additional context for readers. Just be sure to obtain permission to use any copyrighted materials. Be sure and check out the Masterclass on PhotoScribing. That is such an effective way to tell the story of what happened just before the photo and what took place after the photo.
There’s no set length for a memoir, as it can vary depending on the scope of your story and your writing style. Aim to tell your story in as many words as it needs, without unnecessary padding or detail. Some of the most impactful memoirs or life narratives are a very personal letter to a given recipient. When we wrote our Ethical Will (see books) we thought everyone of our kids and grandkids would read it in one setting. Actually was doing the setting was the book on the bookshelf. It was too long and overwhelming. Now, we just write a Legacy Letter to each on their birthdays.
