The Significance

When you are writing about a specific incident it is helpful to ask, "What is significant about this?" Asking the question can help the writing stay focused

Uniqueness and Commonality

Just as you are unique, so is your story. You own your story and it should be told by you in the first person. Not, "Etta went down the road," but, "As I walked down the road."
We are all unique individuals and yet, we all experience similar emotions in life; sadness, happiness, heartbreak, regret, pride, etc. Your written response to your experience is what readers can identify with and additionally, may gain insights from reading the story. You, too, can learn from reflecting on your life story. It can make you look deeper at things you’ve always thought were your story. Digging deeper makes the story just different enough to have a new perception of "you" emerge.

Let's Improve the Statistics

Less than one person in ten writes even one page of his life.

Correspond With The Past

Write an imaginary letter to someone who is no longer around. Answer it back. or use it to provide the details to writing already started.

I'm so........ He's so......

Don’t write with an agenda. Don’t write how you want to be perceived. Write so your personality is apparent to the reader. The same goes for characters in your story. Write so their personalities are identifiable to the reader. Don't say, "He had a heart of gold." Instead tell of a some instances where the character was giving and unselfish. Come up with a list of words that describe you and the other characters in your memoir. Does your story show these characteristics?

The Times of My Life

Today, I'm providing some more writing "helps" when the thoughts for your writings become muttled, or worse yet, absent.

• List some of the most prominent national events that happened during your lifetime.
• List some prominent local events that you experienced.
• Note events of a particular era that you are centering your writing.
• Write some important personal events in your life. What was going on nationally and locally at that time?

Some Thoughts to Stimulate Memories

Here are some sentences to complete that might stimulate memories.
My life changed when…..
I remember the time I needed help and.....
I overcame an obstacle when......
I felt successful when...
Things began to change for me when....
I saw the world differently after......
I found great peace from.....
I regret the time that.......