Memoir and life story writing are more than just recounting the events of your life. Not to diminish the stories of “I went here, and I did this,” but consider destinations and accomplishments more as the raw material to work with rather than the finished product. To bring your life story or memoir to life, you have to paint a vivid picture for your readers of the stakes, the risks, and the tension. Yes, those same elements that make great fiction make great memoir too. But m

Last month I led my writers group up to the summit of Mt. Everest - figuratively, of course. We started out in the foothills of Katmandu, ascended to all four Base Camps, navigated the Hillary Step, and finally stood on top of the world. Instead of relying on sherpas, we used introspective writing prompts as our guides, pausing at key points along the way to assess the loads we were carrying, examine our perspectives, and evaluate our route forward. We may have condensed what

I think most people balk at the idea of writing their life story because they don’t consider the positive impact it can have on readers. This is especially true of older generations. Responses range from the ever-popular excuse “Nobody would want to read about my life”, to the well-worn refrain “What do you want to know? We were poor !” First things first . . . Writing a life story isn’t just about listing factually accurate events in chronological order. While the who’s, whe

Since my Dad was the comedian in our family, April Fool’s Day was his time to shine. Watching Dad’s ingenuity, planning, and flawless delivery was something to behold. They had no idea they were part of his prank.   One year, he told his sister (my Aunt Ruthalee) that my mother’s sisters (my Aunt Grace and Aunt MaryRuth) were planning a trip to Canada and wanted to drive from Greensburg, Pennsylvania to Toronto. Aunt Ruthalee’s daughter lived in Toronto so it seemed logical f

Were there any foods in particular that made you feel special as a kid?  Did your family have a unique food tradition that you loved?...

It’s a life-story writer’s dream to ask a simple question and receive a river of heart-felt emotion.  That’s typically what happens when...

Have you ever stopped to ask yourself, how can my past serve me now? Perhaps you’ve doubted the value of taking time to explore your...

Imagine a Legacy Letter as a great book your heirs and future generations can hold in their hands. The majority of us strive to uphold...

Welcome to the Book Club: Let's dive into a published memoir for inspiration. The Storyteller by Dave Grohl (Dey Street Books, 2021) A...

While the facts and circumstances of your life story form a mosaic unique to you, readers will connect with your shared human emotions.