Suggestions for Writing Your Life Story

  1. Start by making a brief outline of your life, decade by decade. Where were you born? When? Family size? Describe your childhood. What do you remember as positive events? Negative events ? Holidays and celebrations? Schools, friends, organizations, teachers, pets? Teen years? Moves? Jobs? Friends? Twenties: education, jobs, love life, adventures, aspirations, national events.Thirties, forties, fifties, etc. Give yourself a year to finish it. Write a little every day.
  2. Don’t be discouraged if you hit a writer’s block. Let it rest for a week and then restart. Write about things you love and things you enjoy and things you’re good at. Don’t be afraid to brag a little. Tell the next generation what your life has really been about.
  3. Near-miss experiences? Hits and hurts!
  4. Peak experiences: I was on the Eiffel Tower during a hurricane! I’ve been on top of the Golden Gate bridge. Put photos right in the text, rather than as exhibits at the end.
  5. Write about things you’re proud of and maybe a few that you would like to do over or differently.
  6. Write your bucket list! Oneitemshould be the completion of your life story.
  7. Describe the travels you have taken. Includephotosand text.
  8. Who have been the really important people in your life?
  9. Do a family tree. Tell what you know about those who came before you,
  10. Write about some funny experiences you’ve had. Add some humor and jokes.
  11. Make a list of the things you are grateful for. List your contributions.

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