Writing a memoir is no easy feat, especially if you're struggling to remember some of the most pivotal moments in your life. But fear not, there are ways to unlock those memories and put them down on paper. One of the most effective ways to do this is by using writing prompts.
What Are...
Everybody who decides to write a memoir starts with a “why” in mind. (Or at least they should.) We long to tell the stories of traumas and trials we’ve triumphed over; to highlight successes we’ve achieved and what it took to accomplish them; to share our hard-won wisdom...
Writing a memoir can be a powerful and transformative experience. The process of writing about your life allows you to reflect on your past, share your life story with others, and leave a lasting legacy for future generations.
Despite all the potential benefits of writing a memoir, many people...
As the second quarter of 2023 begins, it's a great time to reflect on your writing goals for the year. Have you made progress towards achieving them? Have you encountered any obstacles or challenges along the way? Whatever your current status may be, now’s the perfect time to make a fresh...
You're ready to write your memoir. But how long will it take to finish your first draft? The answer to this question depends on a few factors.
First, a couple of questions and some quick math.
How long will your book be?
Are you writing a full-length book or just a...
You’ve decided to write your life story. Congratulations! Most people only think about writing their story but never actually get it from their head to the page. Before you get started, you’ll want to determine which type of life story you want to write—memoir or autobiography....
I’m a goal-setter. I can’t help myself. At the end of the year, I like to take time to reflect on the year I’ve just lived. What were the high points, low points, and points in between? How far did I get in achieving my goals for the year? For my writing especially, I like to...
You’ve decided it’s time to write your memoir. Eager to dive in, you open your laptop and create a new document titled, “My Memoir.”
Day One
Clickety-clack, your fingertips peck at the keys, and your first pages flow out of you. After writing a few thousand words, you feel...
Fall is my favorite season for creativity. To capitalize on this seasonal surge in creativity, I’m hosting Write Your Own Life’s first NaMeWriMo 30-Day Memoir Writing Challenge. (Psst, the challenge starts on November 1st, so now's your chance to sign up!)
NaMeWriMo is a...
What’s your favorite season? For me, it’s fall. The sun breaks the horizon later in the morning. It casts long shadows in the afternoon. The breeze carries a new scent—possibly the combination of drying leaves and crab apples.
As subtle as these natural changes in the...
This summer, my two daughters-in-law gave birth to beautiful baby girls. I experienced everything from the thrill of my sons and their new wives announcing that they were expecting, to watching them grow over the course of 40 weeks, and then finally, wondrously, welcoming two perfect girls...
June 30th marked the midyear mark for 2022, the end of the second quarter, and the perfect time to evaluate how you’re doing with your annual writing goals. At the beginning of the year, I took a risk and publicly shared my 2022 writing goal:
By the end of the second quarter of 2022, I will...
