Do you want to write your life story but don't know where to start? Are you unsure of what to include? This article is for you.
So grab a coffee and get comfortable – we're about to dive in!
In the past, the first step you would have to take to write your life story was to decide what you wanted to include. Do you want to write about your childhood, your teenage years, or your adult life? What are the most important moments in your life? What are the defining characteristics of who you are?
There's a huge amount to consider, so a great starting point is to create a brief timeline of your life. Grab a sheet of paper and write down the most significant events, or turning points, in your life – both good and bad. Put a significant early memory at the top of the page and a recent one at the bottom. Then you can begin to fill in the details around those events. Keep that sheet by your side as a thought-starter and guide for when your writing begins in earnest.
As you progress through your life, you might consider writing about things such as
– What were you thinking and feeling at the time?
– What did other people say and do?
– How did those experiences shape who you are today?
One of the most important things to remember is to be honest. This isn't a time to sugarcoat anything or make yourself look better than you are. Be open and truthful about your experiences, even if they aren't always flattering. Your life story is your opportunity to show who you really are, so don't be afraid to be vulnerable.
Another tip is to focus on the positive moments. It's easy to dwell on the negative aspects of our lives, but it's important to remember the good times too. Write about the people and experiences that have brought joy into your life – those are the moments that will resonate with your readers, and because your story is for family and friends, they may well know many of the people you are writing about.
Finally, we suggest setting aside time each day or week to work on your story. You could put it in your diary to sit down with a tea or coffee – or a glass of wine – and spend time writing. Writing is about habit, and once you get into a rhythm of remembering and writing, the whole process will become easier and more enjoyable.
If that is too much of a commitment, then do it in your own time so it's enjoyable. After all, you mustn’t forget to have fun writing! We know that writing your life story may be emotional, but it can also be a journey of discovery, remembrance, and enjoyment. One of our clients who was a little apprehensive at first, and had never before written any substantial, emailed us to say, “Once you start writing, it’s quite addictive”.
Your life story is a chance to reflect on your life and the people you've met, lessons you've learned, and the places you've been. So take your time, tell your story in your own words, and enjoy the process.
Do you have any other tips for writing your life story? If you have a great tip, we’d love to hear about it in the comments below.
What is Biografica?
For most of us, the blank page is a difficult starting point. The beauty of the Biografica life story writing program is that we’ve done all that planning work for you. We’ve created the chapter structure and written questions for each section and suggested what you might think about in your responses. You purchase access and answer the questions in your own words. We then turn your story into a beautiful hardback book.
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