Have you written / Are you writing your life story?

Question

So...I would like to write my life story, for my children and grandhildren. I would like even more..to write my Dad's life story.
Where we came from
who our relatives are
how they landed in texas
how everything developed to get to Dad..and/or me.

Any tips on how to get started?

Answer 1

No....haven't. But my uncle did...by the prompting of his kids. Did it with a recorder....just let him talk when the time seemed right and then they put it together........it was SO great!!!!! Seriously.....they just...without him knowing said things like....hey dad...tell me about your school...or how did you and mom meet.....what was your best Christmas....what was the war like?(WW2)..How much did you make doing your job? What did you do when you needed extra money?...What was your best subject?...What did you dream of doing but didn't get to do? What stopped you?

Seriously....it was one of the most historical and insightful things I ever heard. I hope more of us do it. History most likely will not say a thing of how it really was.

I took a "Woman in history" class. They got old diaries and all sorts of things that really did change my view of our own history. Heck they lie to our faces today.....think that's going to change later?

Start.....just start anywhere. Seriously....just start....someone can put them in order.....just do it.

Damn......I remember my mom trying to tell me what a big deal it was for her to learn to play the piano. Started with a conversation on what she wished she could still do but couldn't. Opened a ton of doors where I never knew how much my mom had willingly sacrificed for us....and we just took it for granted.

Sadly right down through the story of where I got my first "baby shoes"....(used to make that a copper or brass base for our first baby pics.) Moms cravings for "pickled pigs feet" and the 1 time a month trip to Dairy Queen.

First home was a chicken coup. Redone of course. LOL

My mom was a mid-life baby. Had a sister...only sibling 15 years older. Flapper era and a rowdy big sis. Ignorance said my mom got infantile polio because her big sis....had her lay out in the sun for a tan. The sun caused her polio. Now we know different....but her big sister grew up feeling guilty and responsible for her baby sister and her polio. Bad older aunt also did the unforgiven at that time.....she married a "dark german". Meaning nothing more than he was brunett with brown eyes.....not the tall, blonde, blue eyed version. Dis-owned from the family. Was said at that time.....a dark german was worse than a black slave. Funny comming from a red-headed Irish family!! LOL

If we don't tell what our life was like....they will never know. Heck they are trying to re-write what we lived through and it isn't close to what they are teaching them.

Answer 2

I started a "log book", right after I got married 34 years ago. It's kind of like a diary. I write what I'm feeling and what's going on that day. Sometimes I'll go weeks or months and forget to write. I'll pick up the book(spiral note books, I'm on the 8th one)and try to re-cap what I need to, so it will be up to date. Write about anything and everything. Have you ever watched the movie, "The Bridges of Madison County"? Amazing, what insight your writings can leave, about who you are/were. I've gone back through some of mine and deleted some of the content(magic marker that doesn't bleed through). At the time I wrote it, it seemed like a good idea...But now, I feel some of what I wrote, is not appropriate for my children to remember me by. It can be fun. I can take out those books and look back at this date 20 years ago and so much floods back, that my memory just wouldn't hold on to, without writing it down.

Answer 3

I've always wanted to write my parents' stories, right through my life's story but I'm no writer. I've had alot of people tell me I should at least write my life story because of the life I've lived. I contacted an author earlier this year about doing it for me but told her I had no money and would need to pay her out of the earnings on the book. After we talked for a while, she not only agreed to write the book but told me she was with a production company and wanted to write it into a screen play. The thought of having my life bared to the world was a little spooky. I turned her down. I wish I new how to write so I could do it myself.

Answer 4

My life story is still in my head. I'd like to think I have lots of time to get started putting it on paper since I'm only 37, but you never know. Both sets of my grandparents are deceased, and although we have taped bits and pieces, there is an awful lot they never talked about and we neglected to ask them.

How about starting with why you are writing it - a dedication of sorts? What you hope to leave your family with - a lasting history and memories, etc. This could be a very moving beginning.

You could also start with a moving, amusing, or haunting story from your life (or your Dad's, just ask him) that especially meant something to you. Or a family story, recipe or song etc. that has been passed down over the generations. What comes to mind for me is my paternal grandfather's frog song, sung entirely in German...or my maternal grandfather's Billy Possum stories (like Uncle Wiggly stories, always with a parable, but "original" from my grandpa)...or one of my grandma's recipes...or the story of how my bio dad left after meeting me once in the hospital but I gained a terrific adopted Dad in his place. Then go back and fill in the bits and pieces any way you wish.

It's a great idea. Without it, your family will lose the bits and pieces of family tradition, memory and culture that make you unique and have influenced you to live the life you have.

Good luck! (:

Answer 5

Start by making a outline of where you want to start and where you want to end up. As you do this you will probably think of stories , anecdotes, e.t.c. associated with different time periods and people. Once you get the outline done, sit down and start writing.

Since you are writing this for your family, don't worry if your syntax isn't perfect or you misspell something along the line. Just write it out and see how it goes. If you're using a wordprocessor, you can always go back and edit. You're creating a legacy for your family and not a pulitzer prize winner. ;-)

Answer 6

I've had people tell me I should write a book...have always wanted to, but just can't seem to get started. One problem is when I'm on a creative roll I just can't stop [like to go to work! lol] so I'm keeping it on the back burner until I am fully retired [if that ever happens! lol]

There are several books in the library that give step by step suggestions for writing a book...and I would suppose you start off with an outline of how you'd like to see it flow...good luck! Let us know when you've started and how it goes!

Answer 7

Whenever an idea comes to you, write it down. Keep all these ideas in ONE SPOT, in a folder,box, etc., CLEARLY marked, so they do not get lost.
I did this prior to the deaths of my father and brother. Then , when the end was eminent, I had what I needed, without having to come up with everything all at once.
For example, on slips of paper I had songs that I wanted to include in the memorials, the name and phone number of a bagpiper, pictures to be used for the obit and the written obit, itself. I did all of this WELL in advance, thereby not interferring with my time , that precious time, with them.
You can apply this to anything.

Ooh!! It is VERY important to ask all your questions NOW, of people....their memories ,important dates, pointing out WHO'S WHO in old photos, etc.
You may want to video them or at least tape their voice. I did both.
When I think of more, I'll edit.
Good luck, KB.
Love, Sunshine

Answer 8

I have thought about writing one many times.....I know I have enough material to make a book and I would hope a good book.......but have often wondered how to start it.....I am think of one thing, write about it and then jump to something else.....
my problem is keeping it in an orderely time-line....

Good Luck and let me know how it goes, I could always use some tips to get started as well......

Answer 9

I purchased 5 books some time back from a book store and have seen similiar ones in Cracker Barrel Restaurants and other places. It begins with my name is _________, I was born_____in ____ to------mother&father. I lived in city and at an address for so many years. My favorite toys were___, favorite games---. My friends were______. The music of the times was_____. Fill in as much detail as you like. Sort of along the lines of a baby book but it encompasses your life. I added details about my grandmother raising me. Favorite aunt etc. Good luck and enjoy recalling the memories. Hopefully you will remember things that will promp you to ask ?'s here.

Answer 10

Kay, I can help you with this as I have written two...one for each daughter. Go to a Hallmark store or, a specialty store where they sell journals, diaries and so forth! There, you will find books, that are written just for this sort of thing.

The ones I got, are beautiful with each page following your life...from childhood to ......? It has topics i there like: MY First Kiss, My favorite toys, Books, What it was like when I fell in love, what I felt when you were born and on and on and on!

These allow you to really give great insight into the person of Mom, Wife...whomever, you choose to give them too! I am currently doing one for my eldest grandson as he is about to turn 18! I figured it was time to do one for him and save it with the two, for my daughters, when I am called home!

By the way, my family "landed" in Texas too!

Answer 11

In my job, I used to help people living in Retirement Homes to write their life stories.
Some found it easier just to talk into a recording machine (fingers useless with rheumatoid arthritis, poor sight and so on)
You need to plan it and I suggest a lever arch folder with the plastic envelope inserts, each representing a different theme.
Take one pad of lined paper, and start giving headings to each sheet:
"My first Day at School"; "My First Day at Work", "My Wedding Day", "Being pregnant and giving birth in 195......."
"Child Care in the 50's".
"Holidays in the 50's" "Rationing during War Time", "Entertainment and Games we played" etc.

Make brain-storming notes under each heading; then when you think you've put in all you can remember, start to pull each page together into a chapter in your life.

I envy you the chance to do this - my family say they have no interest in the past; only the future.