| You do not need to be famous or have led a life of | | | | members about specific incidents they would rather |
| adventure and mystery to write memoirs that will be | | | | keep private. |
| of interest to others. Even if you consider your life | | | | Keep in mind that you are telling the story from your |
| to have been average, you may have fascinating | | | | point of view. Anyone can find transcripts of the |
| stories to tell. Your perspective on historic events is | | | | fireside chats President Roosevelt made during World |
| unique and worth telling. To help you relate your tale, | | | | War II, for instance. What will make your memoirs |
| here are some tips on how to write memoirs that | | | | interesting is how they affected you or your family. |
| others will want to read. | | | | Perhaps there was a ritual involved, such as |
| Writing your story can be intimidating if you look at | | | | everyone sitting down with a cup of hot chocolate |
| the project in its entirety. It may be helpful to first | | | | to listen. Or perhaps you had friends or relatives |
| write down individual incidents that are the most | | | | serving in Vietnam. Write about how you reacted to |
| memorable to you. Do not worry about producing | | | | their deployment and the letters you exchanged. Or |
| one long chronological work. Instead, write separate | | | | you can write about your reaction to the moon |
| pieces that describe one event or series of events. | | | | landing or the space shuttle disasters. What is |
| Later, you can place them in the desired order. | | | | important is not the historical detail, but your personal |
| Some people find it easier to talk about the past | | | | impression of the event. |
| rather than try to write it. You can use a small tape | | | | Even everyday events can be of interest to readers |
| recorder to create your memoirs. Just talk into it as | | | | of your memoirs. Did you buy a paper dress when |
| if you were telling the story to a friend or relative. | | | | they were popular, and how did it work out? What |
| Use the tapes to jog your memory when you are | | | | was it like to use a microwave for the first time? |
| ready to transcribe them. | | | | How did it feel to hold your newborn for the first |
| Remember to edit yourself as you go, not for proper | | | | time? What was your first car like, or your first |
| spelling and punctuation but for content. Certain | | | | apartment? |
| incidents could be embarrassing or hurtful to other | | | | The most important advice on how to write memoirs |
| family members. For example, if your son is a | | | | is to be yourself. Readers want to know about you, |
| professional football player, relating an anecdote | | | | your experiences, and your reactions. They can read |
| about his favorite doll as a baby could embarrass him. | | | | a history book if they want the details on exactly |
| Your happily married daughter might prefer her | | | | what happened and why. You, however, are their |
| husband not learn about an overwhelming infatuation | | | | only source for how the events impacted your life. |
| she had in high school. If in doubt, talk to family | | | | |