Once you recognize the story in you, it is time to put it down in words. It is a powerful way to connect with readers who may resonate with your journey. Sharing your personal experiences is not just cathartic; it can give hope to someone or inspire another.

Yes, there are many things to consider. What to say and what to hold back? But it's all worth it. Jenny Fagan, the novelist who wrote her memoir, said, "This book kept me alive." Though a personal revelation, her memoir was a therapeutic experience for her. Many people feel recalling their life story gives them the necessary closure.

It can be a document chronicling an entire generation's journey of coming into being and how it shapes the next generation. It can also be a celebration of how much has been endured, lost, and gained—a true legacy for generations to cherish.

W

h

y

s

h

o

u

l

d

I

w

r

i

t

e

m

y

m

e

m

o

i

r

?

Ask yourself why not? Granted, many people feel writing a book about themselves is unnecessary. But if you have experienced tremendous personal growth or overcame insurmountable barriers that seemed impossible, you have a story.  If you are met with random praises for simply being yourself, though you feel there is nothing special about you, there are lessons in your life.

Would you like to trace your family history? Understand your ancestors better.  Maybe you want to share your perspective and offer change. If you have answered yes to any of these questions, an incredible story has been brewing all your life.

If you are wondering if anyone will read my story even though I am not a celebrity, then let us tell you this: there is a genuine curiosity to know how to live better, and it does not come only from celebrities. People want to see the extraordinary in ordinary lives. That's where inspiration strikes.  Teachers, doctors, and nurses are all coming up with their stories; it's time you did the same.

H

o

w

t

o

s

t

a

r

t

w

r

i

t

i

n

g

a

b

o

o

k

a

b

o

u

t

y

o

u

r

l

i

f

e

?

Having so much information and penning it down with a purpose may seem challenging. Even Cher had been in the throes of giving up writing her memoir many times.

To make writing your memoir enjoyable and achievable, we have broken it down into doable, easy steps.

T

h

e

s

e

v

e

n

e

a

s

y

s

t

e

p

s

f

o

r

s

u

c

c

e

s

s

f

u

l

l

y

w

r

i

t

i

n

g

y

o

u

r

l

i

f

e

s

t

o

r

y

G

a

t

h

e

r

y

o

u

r

t

h

o

u

g

h

t

s

Before starting the actual writing, it is imperative that you prepare any information that you can use. You can do this by browsing old photo albums; it gives your memory a good kickstart. You can also try reading old journals or diary entries. When writing her memoir, Pamela Anderson relied heavily on her journals.

You may feel like an autobiography should include everything, right? Yes, technically, you are correct. But you should know it can be exhaustive. If you do not have a clear plan of what to include, key details can get lost. Have a pattern or theme been guiding your life, moulding your being? Would you like to develop it?

Reach out to people who can help you understand and connect with incidents and events in your life. Make an informed choice of what to leave out, include, and anticipate the outcome. Allow yourself as much grace as you need; this process can be agonising.

M

a

p

o

u

t

y

o

u

r

l

i

f

e

f

o

r

y

o

u

r

m

e

m

o

i

r

w

r

i

t

i

n

g

Once you have a rough idea and have gathered most of the material for your memoir, you will have to organise the vast body of information. It is considered a best practice to write a memoir in chronological order. However, if you want to follow any particular genre of writing, feel free to ditch the time order.  For example, if you are writing essays about the events in your life, you do not need to categorise them according to a timeline.

You can start your story with your birth or maybe with an antidote that shaped your life the most. That will grasp the reader's attention for sure. There is no one fixed way to write a book about your life. Explore different possibilities, and start reading autobiographies and biographies. Is there a particular one that you resonate with? Try to understand why it speaks to you.

Write down your expectations from your story; it will give a purpose to your writing journey.

C

r

e

a

t

e

a

s

t

r

u

c

t

u

r

e

This step is perhaps crucial in every author's journey, especially for a beginner. The outline is your basic framework. You do not need to adhere strictly to the structure; it can serve as a general guideline.

If you doubt the flow of the story, the structure will come in handy. If there are events or people that you do not want to omit from your story, the outline will act as a reminder and let you highlight their importance.

W

r

i

t

i

n

g

a

b

o

o

k

a

b

o

u

t

y

o

u

r

l

i

f

e

Your manuscript is everything. Needless to say, the first line of any book carries special significance. So, always start with a strong introduction. It will help lay the foundation for the story and evoke the reader's curiosity. Nelson Mandela's autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, gives insight into his life and connects it to the meaning of his name in the first few paragraphs. The more details you would add to your story, the more depth it will have.

Going to extraordinary lengths for events and feelings is a pivotal marker of a great story. ​Do not deem anything unnecessary if it is related to your story. Write it all down, the good and the bad. You will fail to show your vulnerability if you do not discuss your shortcomings. It would make you an unrealistic, perfect individual with whom no ordinary person can relate. We cannot but reiterate, to be honest, authenticity will add an endearing quality to your story.

You can use descriptive language.  Place yourself at the exact moment; it can help create a sensory effect on the readers. You can use dialogue to carry the narration. Dialogues are also very effective in building characters. Interactions keep the story interesting. However, forced dialogue can make the story dull or out of touch. Your dialogue should be written in the way you speak. Making a note of accent markers or any colloquial information will make the dialogue more natural than forced.

R

e

a

d

,

r

e

w

r

i

t

e

,

r

e

p

e

a

t

Drafting the memoir must have been a herculean task. Unfortunately, it is still not ready to be published. After finishing writing, consider revising it to give it a final polish. To make it publish-ready, you must ensure the copy is clean.

If you are considering editing yourself, here are some tips.

• Give it a good read. Look for inconsistencies and duplication. Address the issues and reread them.
• Run a fact check. You do not want to have any errors in your book.
• If you are unhappy with something, rephrase it. Sometimes, rewording can make it even better.

You may need a few edits until you are satisfied, and it is very reasonable to make changes as you read and edit the draft. It can be an exhaustive process, but this extra effort will bring wonderful results. After all it is your labour of love that makes the difference.

F

e

e

d

b

a

c

k

Though you are the best judge for your book, enlisting a few trusted readers does not hurt. Ask your friends and family to read it and give their opinion. Maybe they will have a good idea that you can use. Do not take feedback as criticism or an insult; take it constructively. Try to see how you can incorporate the suggestions.

P

u

b

l

i

s

h

It will be exhilarating to have your manuscript ready for publishing. One last thing to do before sending off the draft for publication is to select a few photographs. Your memoir is a true story. The characters are all real, and what can be better than giving a glimpse of the life you are writing about through some snaps frozen in time?

Choose a publisher based on whether you want to make your book available to the public or as a keepsake for your family. If you want a wider audience, you must also market your book.

B

o

n

u

s

t

i

p

-

H

i

r

e

a

g

h

o

s

t

w

r

i

t

e

r

Writing down your life story is an achievement in itself. If you find it overwhelming, hire a ghostwriter to help you write your story.  At StoryTerrace, we match each storyteller with the best writer. You can choose from our different categories of writers with various expertise to write your story. You can take your mind off the writing bit and concentrate on the story.

Our expert writers and editors will draft your story your way. We understand that each story is unique and holds a special place in our narrator's life. It is more than a legacy or a motivational work; it is the story of your becoming, your life work.

If you need help with only publishing for the story that you have written down, then take advantage of our self-publishing packages. From marketing to promotions, we have you covered. Get in touch with us today to start writing your incredible story.

‍