Your Family

As you continue the journey to write your memoir, you first want to document your family.  Your family played a major role in your life and helped define the man or woman that you became.  Our early years are our very first environment and form our experience and knowledge.  It also shapes our behavior-either negatively or positively.  It prepares each of us to take part and become an economically productive member or society.  It is interesting to note that families create generations-each gaining in maturity and self-suffiency-to create and provide for subsequent generations.

Memoir Writing - When

It is never too late to get started on your memoir. When you are ready, just start writing. You can begin with a person, place or event that had special significance in your life. Or, think of a period that was life changing for you. In any case write about the impact on your life and those around you.  It may help to start with a journal where you record information about your life.  Then, let these memories become the basis for the different chapters of your memoir.  It can be a lot of fun and very fulfilling to get your life on paper for others to share.

Memoir Writing - Who & Where

To understand where you are today, it helps to spend some time thinking about your family-grandparents, parents, brothers and sisters.  Much has been writer about family and the early environmental impact on us.  Our early years form our experience and knowledge.  It shapes our behavior-either negatively or positively.  It also prepares each of us to take part and become an economically productive member of society.  It is interesting to note that families create generations-each gaining in maturity and self-sufficiency-to create and provide for subsequent generations.

Memoir Writing - What

You begin your memoir by creating a road map of your life.  All your personal information and events will be the heart and soul of your story.  As you embark on your journey, you will bask in your early years with your family, progress through your education and career and relive experiences such as falling in love.  You will savor seeing a foreign city for the first time and looking into the eyes of your newborn child.  By the time that you are done, you may have a very different perspective about your life than you did before beginning your journey.  Your journey is meant to be fun as you relive the memories of a lifetime.

Memoir Writing - Why

"Why" write the story of your life?  During your lifetime, you were striving to make a difference.  In return you wanted your life to matter.  Writing the story of your life is your opportunity to matter.  Your story is a wonderful gift for your family and friends.   

As you write your memoir, the path that you took over your lifetime will unfold.  You will learn more about yourself-your beliefs, values and the meaning of your life.  You have a wonderful opportunity to tell about the memories and experiences that shaped your life.

Initially, just start writing as you want to get as much on paper as possible.  Details are important but do not go overboard.  You will know that you are on the right track when your words have special energy and touch you deeply.  You will have flashes of emotion. 

Memoir Writing - Who, What, When, Why & Where

Over the next few weeks, let's consider the who, what, when, why and where of your life.  This will help to put the story of your life, your memoir, into perspective.

Today, think about all the people "who" played a key role in your life.  Your grandmother, grandfather, parents, siblings, husband, children and friends may have played a key role in your life.  Educators and business associates may also have played a role.  At an early age your family played a role in the person that you became.  You may have also had a special teacher or coach that gave you direction.  Later, friends became an important influence.  Your spouse and children gave you purpose in life.  Every person, circumstance and experience contributed to the fabric of your life.

As you chronicle the people in your life, you will surround yourself with the greatest influences and your circle of support.  This is a key as you write the story of your life.