Survey
Newsletter Signup
Testimonial
|
| Read more... |
| What to Write about One's Life |
|
Books abound on how to write memoirs, life history, autobiographies. From its early years, even Write Choice Services has offered a packet “Guidelines to Writing One’s History.” I confess when I read these books and even our own packet, I tremble and am overwhelmed by the size of the task of writing my story as outlined. I didn’t feel that way when I wrote Letters to My Sons. What made the difference?
I settled on a specific number of topics about which I would write. One can safely argue that each event in one’s life shapes who the person becomes; however, some events carry more clout. In his best selling book, Self Matters: Creating Your Life from the Inside Out, Dr. Phil McGraw challenges his readers to identify ten defining moments, seven critical choices and five pivotal people. From my perspective, Dr. Phil presents a very basic outline for telling one’s story. Imagine what you could and would share with others if you simply wrote about ten defining moments, seven critical choices and five pivotal people in your life. Stephen Covey’s book, The Seven Habits of Highly Successful People provides another simple outline. What are the 7 habits you have in your life which you believe are essential in making you who you are and the success that you are? Be creative when writing your life story. Don’t simply begin with “I was born on . . . in . . .” In fact, don’t start like that at all. In writing you do not necessarily need to go chronologically. Pick the critical moments that influenced who you are.
When I wrote Letters . . . I surprised myself with some of the people and events that ultimately found their way into my book. Take your time as you determine the people, the events, the habits that you want to share. Think and reflect then do it all over again. Allow yourself to be surprised by what your heart and mind tell you. |