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Writing Your Lifestories: Where to Start?

The MemoryList:

A Project in Process,
Creating A Source of Topics for your Stories

The best way to get going on your lifestory writing project is to brainstorm then organize. Remembering encourages more memories.

So let yourself remember anything and everything. Take notes. Don't cut yourself off-- let your memories flow.

Then use the MemoryList system to spend your lifewriting energy where it counts the most.

If age teaches us anything, it may be that we don't have inexhaustible energy and limitless time. Don't fool yourself--it is possible to run out of both before you get all your stories written!

With this in mind, you need to identify your most important lifestories- the ones about prime relationships and events of your life- and concentrate on writing these first. They will serve as the backbone of your memoir project. The peripheral stories, as funny or fascinating as they may be, can be dealt with later--as time and energy permit.

Follow these steps to launch (or revitalize) your lifewriting effort. The system works as well for writing another person's story as for writing your own.

copyright © 2002 Denis Ledoux

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For step by step exercises and support, consult
Turning Memories Into Memoirs, A Handbook for Writing Lifestories
and the
Lifewriter's Memory Binder,
a customized 3-ring workbook/binder
which contains numerous exercises and guidelines
on how to develop your MemoryList notes into full lifestories.

To order, visit Soleil Lifestory Network Bookstore