Discover The Stories StoryTerrace Help Share.

The best place to startIf you’re writing a book about your life, creating a timeline is an essential step. While your story is based on your own experiences, it’s easy to forget important moments — unless it is all laid out clearly in front of you. A timeline provides clarity and structure for your life story.However, creating a timeline doesn’t mean you have to tell your story chronologically - in fact, it can make it easier to get creative with the structure of your book. What you’ll come away with is a complete overview - making it easier to identify themes. A timeline establishes your content, structure, and theme in a clear and concise format, ready for you to start writing your book about your life.To help, we’ve created a timeline template for you to fill in. Download it here - and then follow the steps below.

Download our timeline template!

Download Now (Click Here) 

Step 1: BrainstormFirst of all, start by writing down all the important moments in your story. We recommend talking to your friends and family, which will give you a different perspective, and bring up memories you may have forgotten. Additionally, if you’re feeling stuck, have a browse through our handy memory prompts to get you started. Step 2: Fill your timeline template with all the key events in your listSecondly, filter through your gathered information, highlighting key events that you want to include in your life story. These memories can be your fondest, your funniest, and most uplifting. Alternatively, they could be your most difficult, challenging, or upsetting. Choose a start and end point and fill in everything in between. If you can remember exact dates, that’s great - but getting things roughly in the right order will still be useful.Try splitting the timeline into sections. We suggest childhood, adolescence, adulthood, and those golden years. You may find it easier to compartmentalize your memories this way, and pick out the ones that are most significant.Step 3: Reflect on the results, and fill in the gapsNow you have the ‘tent-poles’ of your timeline in place, it’s time to fill in the gaps and above all, think about what your results mean. To connect your key events, add in any other relevant or interesting details that you want to include.All done? Congratulations, you’ve taken a big step towards telling your story. Your key events will help you to inform your decisions regarding chapters and structure, potentially becoming your chapter titles, with the details becoming your chapter content.Want to take it to the next level?If so - ask yourself, how do you feel about what’s in front of you? Are any themes starting to emerge? Try labeling or highlighting your timeline to bring out the common threads.

Capture memories you didn't know you hadWondering how to write your biography? Whether you are writing yourself, or working with a ghostwriter, it can be hard to know where to start and what to include. At Story Terrace, we often use memory prompts to kick-start the process - easy and fun questions designed to jog your memory and bring back moments you haven't thought about for years.It's the perfect first step, and something you can later assemble into a timeline or structure for your story. We’ve hand-picked 65 of our favourite memory prompts to share with you. You can check out 9 example prompts right here on the blog - but make sure to download the full list of 65, which we've assembled into a print-ready PDF for you.Remember - the idea is not to answer every question. Just scan through the list, and think about which of these prompts speak to you the most. You’ll soon find you have more than enough to talk about.

How to Write Your Biography: Childhood

1. What is your earliest memory?

2. Talk about your family’s heritage and history.

3. What did your childhood home look like?

How to Write Your Biography: Adolescence

1. How did your physical appearance change in your teenage years? What was that change like for you?

2. How was your relationship with your parents?

3. Who was your first crush?

How to Write Your Biography: Adulthood

1. What did an ordinary day in your life look like?

2. Name a big success story for you during this time.

3. Did you travel? What was your most memorable vacation?Hopefully writing your biography just got a little easier and these prompts have got your brains in gear, recalling all sorts of different memories from your childhood all the way through to just yesterday!Remember to download the full list for all 65 questions to jog your memory.

March 2020: A Year in ReflectionMarch 2020 will forever be etched into our personal and national histories. So what did it look like?Whilst the UK was plunged into a strict lockdown as the pandemic gathered pace, many people felt isolated, lonely, frustrated, and anxious. Yet, despite the extreme circumstances, our latest research shows that millions of people were able to turn their experience into something positive.Here’s what you, your friends, and neighbours were doing with all that extra time.Let's Get Moving!Our research found that revamping health and fitness routines was a key activity for millions during lockdown. It seems that the pandemic gave many people the motivation to finally tick off those health goals: an impressive 8 million people lost weight, 5 million achieved a personal exercise best, and over 1 million ran a first-ever 5K.National sweetheart and fitness personality Joe Wicks is at least partially to thank for his relentless energy and online exercise classes throughout lockdown. Our very own Unsung Hero — the 73-year-old "Skipping Sikh" Rajinder Singh Harzall — made brilliant exercise videos for fellow Sikhs who faced isolation when their temples closed.

Time to Finally Write That BookFor many, an extended spell at home created the perfect conditions for budding writers and their projects. We were delighted to discover that nearly 1 million people wrote a book during lockdown, and 2,000 people documented their life stories.Many people say that they want to write a book but lack the time and space needed to focus. One of the silver linings to the pandemic is that this time indoors sparked creativity and motivation for many — as well as providing lots of quiet time to get the job done.New Life, New Love, and New PetsBeloved pets can make a house a home, so it's perhaps not surprising that over 2 million people added a new furry friend to their household. Whilst four-legged friends were enough for some, over half a million people reported that they became pregnant or had a baby, adding even more love to their lives.We also found that — thankfully! — lockdown couldn't stop Cupid from striking: 1 million of us fell in love during these uncertain times. Popular dating apps saw a surge in usage across all age ranges during lockdown, with COVID-19 creating what could be a permanent shift in how we date.

DIY Projects GalorePerhaps you can relate to putting off that DIY project you've been meaning to get around to doing, whether it's giving your home a new lick of paint, sorting out the garden, or revamping your living room. According to our research, 6 million made the most of the gift of more time at home by completing a renovation project, whilst 1 million decided lockdown was time to find a new home entirely by moving house.Excuse My FrenchBread baking, Zoom quizzes, and Netflix marathons became commonplace over the past twelve months as people sought to keep themselves entertained. We discovered that over 2 million people took their entertainment a step further by channeling their energy into learning a new language.Perhaps the ban on international travel inspired these eager students to improve their knowledge ahead of a future dream holiday. Or perhaps they wanted to tick off a lifelong goal and broaden their horizons. Whatever the motivation was, we love that so many people were inspired to keep their minds active during their downtime.Speaking of acquiring life-changing skills, we also found that half a million people learned to drive, whilst nearly a million learned how to play a musical instrument. This finding really was music to our ears!

Post-Pandemic Life Will Focus on FamilyIt's clear from our research that the pandemic shifted our priorities, and often for the better. As time at home replaced the rush of daily life and our personal worlds became much smaller, many were forced to re-evaluate our relationships with our nearest and dearest.We were thrilled to discover that:- 79% of those surveyed said that 2020 made them value their family more than anything else.- 82% said that spending time with their families is one of their priorities for 2021.- Nearly half of those surveyed said that they want to learn more about their family this year (with those aged 18-24 feeling this desire most strongly).If the pandemic has taught us anything, it's that we can no longer take for granted just how precious time with close friends and family is. Whatever the future brings, we're pretty certain that quality time with loved ones will forever be of true importance, no matter what the circumstances are.YouTube video playerDemand for our services has soared during lockdown - our client Nalini Pillay shares why now was the ideal time to get her father Jothie's rich life story written down.If you started a book during the lockdown and need help finishing it, contact StoryTerrace or sign up for our newsletter for tips to help you create a beautiful finished product.

Discover Your Roots: The Fascinating World of Family HistoriesHow much do you know about your ancestors? For many people, the answer to that question is not much! Even people who have thought about writing their memoirs often haven’t gotten around to investigating their roots.However, taking the time to research your ancestors and the lives they lived can often provide a wealth of surprises. You might learn the answers to family mysteries or discover more about your own life in the process.Perhaps that’s why we love Who Do You Think You Are? so much. Each episode of the show takes a famous face and helps them uncover their past. The results are often astonishing, emotional, or downright unbelievable. Here are a few of our favorite episodes — no big spoilers, of course! Daniel Radcliffe Daniel Radcliffe is best known as the star of the Harry Potter films. In these, he played a boy wizard whose past held some extraordinary secrets. Surely his own family history couldn’t be nearly as exciting?As it turns out, the lives of Daniel’s ancestors are peppered with drama — not least a fake bank robbery, staged to try and collect on an insurance policy!

The highlight of this episode, though, is the cache of love letters exchanged by Daniel’s great-great-uncle Ernie and his sweetheart Genie. Hearing Daniel read the actual words of his descendants really brings their heartfelt relationship to life. Indeed, even decades after they were written, Genie’s words still have the power to make Daniel smile.Smokey RobinsonIconic Motown musician Smokey Robinson didn’t know much about his family history — at least, not until an appearance on series nine of Who Do You Think You Are? The show sees him travel to the Los Angeles Public Library, where archival documents reveal some truly astonishing secrets about his grandfather.

During his travels, Smokey also discovers a lot more about his grandmother’s side of the family. It’s clearly an emotional journey for him — all the more so as the influence of his family, and his mother in particular, has been a big factor throughout his musical career.We love this episode because Smokey is so obviously intrigued, and often uplifted, by the lives of his ancestors. It goes to show that there’s a lot to learn from the people who came before us, and that they can still be hugely inspiring even if we can’t meet them face to face.Courteney CoxSeries nine of the show sees Courteney Cox (also known as Monica from Friends) travel to the UK to investigate evidence of a royal connection in her past. Her research takes her to Berkeley Castle, where her family was once caught up in an incredible royal scandal. There’s murder, mystery, and an imprisoned king.Uncovering the exact details of what took place requires the translation of a slew of Old English documents. These letters, diaries, and records open a window into a long-distant past — one that is clearly as mind-blowing to Courteney as it is to the genealogist who helps her along the way.

This episode shows that it’s all too easy to forget that past generations lived lives that were complicated, intense, and full of drama. Indeed, it’s only due to carefully kept records that all of the excitement of long-gone decades hasn’t faded from memory altogether.Sarah Jessica ParkerAt the beginning of her episode, Sarah Jessica Parker (star of Sex and the City) admits to being wary about exploring her family history. It’s not that she thinks she might find it overwhelming. Instead, she’s mostly worried that there won’t be anything interesting to uncover!Sarah’s research, however, unearths some truly amazing stories, including the tale of her great-great-great-grandfather's 2,000-mile odyssey across America during the California gold rush. Sarah follows in his footsteps when her research takes her to California to continue her investigation, although her journey there is considerably easier than the one her ancestor took!Sarah’s ancestors were also among the first immigrants to follow the Mayflower across the ocean in the early 1600s and were caught up in the Salem Witch Trials not long after that. Far from being boring, Sarah’s ancestors were intimately involved in several of the biggest moments in American history.

‍

We think this episode demonstrates something important: You never know what you might reveal about your ancestors until you look. When reading memoirs or paging through archives, surprises wait around every corner.So Who Do You Think YOU Are?The one thing that all these stories have in common is that they wouldn’t be possible without written records of the past. These records might be in the form of books, photographs, census data, letters, or personal diaries.Whatever shape they take, these records matter a great deal. Unless someone took the time to put their experiences down on paper, it would be impossible to know about their life today. All of their most important moments and memories would be lost to the ages.That’s one reason why we think it’s so important to write your memoirs. After all, you’re the only one who has experienced your life, so (with some help from a talented ghostwriter) you’re the person who can tell your story best.And if you do tell your story? Then perhaps one day it’ll be one of your descendants who is awestruck, humbled, amazed, or thrilled by the things they discover about you and the life you lived.Ready to get started with writing your memoirs? Or do you want a little more guidance and advice about how to begin? Get in touch for a chat with one of our friendly advisors, or sign up for our newsletter to learn more about the importance of writing your memoirs.

Desiree Home has two simple yet powerful words for her catchphrase.Desiree’s life has taken her on interesting, unexpected, joyful, and scary journeys. Early on, she realized that when she’d tell people her story, she’d always say “and then,” as she transitioned from each experience to the next. “The title of my StoryTerrace book came to me straight away,” said Desiree, who was absolutely delightful as we chatted over Zoom. “I’ve wanted to write my book for ages, but I needed help — it would have taken forever to write by myself, and I wasn’t sure how to structure it.”That’s where StoryTerrace came in. Our writer met with “Des” and captured every detail that was important to her, starting from when Desiree was a young girl growing up in Tonbridge, Kent, UK. What was particularly special for Des was her mum Wendy’s involvement. She shared the family’s timeline, stories about Desiree from an early age, and other important family matters. “It was so nice for Mum, who’s now 85,” noted Des with a smile. “And it was lovely hearing Mum tell those stories and for us to remember things together.”

Dad, My HeroOne of the many special family memories they focused on for the book was Desiree’s father, Ron, who passed away 20 years ago. “Dad was a performer! He played the Jew’s harp (yes, it’s really called that), spoons, and guitar. I even have his guitar hanging on my wall,” Des boasted. “He’d sing and dance in pubs — he’d roll his trousers up and his socks down, ruffle his hair, and do the ‘Sand Dance.’ He loved to party! He was my hero.”

Fond memories of her dad and growing up with three siblings eventually segued into a pivotal time in Desiree’s life, only she didn’t realize just how important it was in the beginning.And Then, the WrensDesiree's sister Beverly had joined the Women’s Royal Naval Service — or the Wrens — at the age of 17 and was enjoying traveling and working for an ad agency in London. “She was having a good time, so I followed her. I sailed through all the basic training. Since I’d been to secretarial college, as did Beverly, I decided that my specialty in the Wrens would be writing,” remembered Des.

‍

“We could be placed in different locations, and the only place I did not want to go to was Scotland. Out of 21 people in my Wrens’ program, I was the only one they sent to Scotland. But, three weeks after I got there, I met my husband, Geoff. We’ve been married for 41 years.”Watch Desiree read an excerpt from her StoryTerrace book:Watch Desiree read an excerpt from her StoryTerrace bookAnd Then, the HorsesDesiree happily spoke of her own three children and the passions she passed on to them. While her family had many “fur babies” and other pets, they especially loved horses. Des started taking riding lessons when she was just 5 years old. She’s not sure how they did it, but she’s forever grateful that her parents managed to scrape together money to pay for the expensive lessons. “When I turned 40, I bought my own horse named Murphy. He was a Shire horse. A rescue. What a character! I trusted that wonderful horse. And all my kids rode him,” said Des as she beamed talking about Murphy, whom she had for 21 terrific years.

“All my children ride horses, but my youngest daughter, Jessie, took it on herself to carry on the equestrian passion. She begged for a pony, and we finally gave in and got her a pony named Floyd when she was 10. After Floyd came Freddie. Jessie’s daughter, my granddaughter, rides him today.”

And Then, a Scary TurnDesiree was diagnosed with cancer. While battling to save her life from the disease, she and her husband lost their cherished home. They were forced to give up their beautiful house because they’d used every penny they had to pay for cancer treatments. “We were in financial ruin,” Des explained.With part miracle and part fight, Desiree beat the nasty disease. And then?Des won the lottery. Not figuratively. Literally. A windfall of cash. “When we won the lottery, it was such an incredible thing to go from being so low with cancer, nearly losing my life, being in financial despair, giving up our beautiful house … to clearing our debt, and where we live now and being so high, it’s just incredible.”That’s exactly why Desiree realized it was finally time to write her story.And Now, No More Delays“I find it so inspirational when people say, ‘You don’t know what’s round the corner.’ It’s so true! I want people to stay strong, never give up hope. I want them to know that they are much more than they think they are. Things change, things can happen. Look at my life! The theme of my book is positivity. You can get through hardships.” Des said cheerfully.“If I can pass anything on to my kids and grandchildren, this book is it. Yes, the family history is wonderful and important, but I want to share my philosophy as well. I want my family to be happy and upbeat and believe in themselves — to know that they can come through the worst. That’s why I wrote the book.”By the time Desiree’s book was complete, she was happier than a horse in a pile of hay. “StoryTerrace and my writer, Jamie, were so nice and helpful throughout the process. Jamie and I spoke a few times, and he visited me in my house. We’d have lunch and chat. We really became friends, and I looked forward to him coming by,” Des said of her book-crafting experience.“StoryTerrace really knows what they’re doing. I’m so glad I did it! My family loves my book, and I love it. My story is everything I hoped it would be and more.”Well, Des, we definitely look forward to hearing about your next “and then.”Are you finally ready to share your story? We’re ready for you! First, sign up for our newsletter to read more inspiring stories from StoryTerrace clients just like Des. Then, get in touch to learn how our talented team can create your very own book full of special memories.

Susie Cornell MBE: From Party Girl to Deputy LieutenantIn 2007, Susie Cornell earned herself an MBE by doing incredible work to improve the lives of people who, like herself, suffer from Multiple Sclerosis (MS), a degenerative, life-long condition that currently affects more than 100,000 people in the UK.But before that, she was "Birmingham Sue," a DJ spinning tunes on Radio Majorca and living the high life. I recently spoke to Susie over the phone to learn more about her fascinating journey from party girl to Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, and everything in between.

The cover of Susie Cornell's StoryTerrace autobiographyInspired by Angel WingsWhen Susie was given a sign to write her autobiography, she didn't hesitate. "I was in a garden center and saw this flower. It was beautiful, with white petals and white leaves. My husband picked it up and said, 'Oh, it's called Angel Wings.' And later that night, my mother died."Susie had been thinking about telling her story for some time, but that night she knew what she had to do. She knew her mother would have wanted her to tell her story, and Susie dedicated her autobiography, Totally Driven, to her memory.

Susie, her sister Yvonne, and her mother on holiday in BlackpoolOne of Susie's friends had already written an autobiography with StoryTerrace and gave a glowing review, so Susie decided to give it a try. "I didn't know where to start. It was something completely new. I had a story, but didn't know how to tell it. They made it so easy."Once Susie connected with the right writer, she found it easy to share all the different threads of her life. And it has been quite a life! Susie was kind enough to share some of the photos from her book with us below.The Queen of the May

Susie at age 7 as the Queen of the May, sitting on her throneYears ago, many villages throughout the UK celebrated May Day with maypole dancing and other festivities, including the selection of a "Queen of the May." When Susie was 7 years old, she was chosen as her school's first-ever May Queen. She was also their final May Queen, as they discontinued the celebration the next year — but it wouldn't be Susie's last time in the spotlight.Introducing Miss Birmingham

Susie won the title of Queen of Miss Birmingham City at age 17Though she had never before dreamed of entering a beauty contest, Susie's boyfriend at the time encouraged her to do it. He was convinced she'd win; she thought he was ridiculous. But her friends encouraged her, and her fluffy pink dress with exposed midriff caught the judge's eye. She won, and later that night she went on to compete in the Miss Jersey Holiday Queen contest. "You can see how nervous I was on my face," Susie recalls, "but it was now or never."The Glamorous Life in Majorca

"Birmingham Sue" was a popular radio DJ in Majorca. Susie with radio station owner Ricki "Lash" Lazzar (above) and live on air with British footballer George Best, which featured in the Majorca Daily Bulletin (below)

In her 20s, Susie lived and worked in Majorca, a practically unheard-of opportunity to work and live abroad. She started out selling tickets to the Barbarella Party Boat, but eventually she was in the right place at the right time to be discovered by American Ricki Lash. Convinced she would be great on the radio — despite a total lack of experience — he hired her as a DJ. It didn't pay much, but the position was too good to pass up. Birmingham Sue became an island celebrity and rubbed elbows with all the rich and famous visitors to Majorca in the 1970s, including former Manchester United footballer George Best.On a Mission to Help Others

The Multiple Sclerosis Home Exercise Programme, one of the home videos Susie put together that was later bought by most physiotherapy departments in hospitals across the UKBy the time Susie approached StoryTerrace about her autobiography, she had already written a book and published several exercise videos on her own. The Complete MS Body Manual was a collection of everything that Susie had learned about living with MS. When Susie was diagnosed with this degenerative neurological disease in 1974, there was no treatment but rest, and she was warned that she would likely end up in a wheelchair.But through a stroke of incredible luck, Susie ended up seeking treatment at the Peto Institute in then-Communist Hungary, where she learned that much of her mobility loss was due to the rest she had been prescribed. Truly, the human body is a use-it-or-lose-it machine, and in Hungary Susie learned a holistic approach to health that included an exercise regimen.When she returned to the UK after her treatment, Susie was ready to share what she had learned to help others with MS live healthy, independent lives.Click below to LISTEN to Susie as she reads from her autobiography about her return to England:The Honour of a Lifetime

Susie's investiture at Buckingham Palace in 2007In addition to her book and exercise videos, Susie also worked at an exercise clinic to help people with MS regain their balance and strength. She trained at Derby General Hospital to become a certified therapist and devoted her career to helping people with MS. In recognition of her extraordinary work, Susie was awarded her MBE by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.You Can Call Her Ma'amSusie is also the Deputy Lieutenant of Essex, which means that she takes on official duties when required.The Lord Lieutenant has deputies to cover various responsibilities, and in Essex, that's Susie Cornell. As Deputy Lieutenant, Susie is sometimes called upon to take over the Lord Lieutenant's duties — which means that, on occasion, she is serving in the role of Queen.From Queen of May to Queen of Birmingham City to stand-in for the Queen of England, Susie Cornell has led a truly fascinating life. So if you see her, be sure to tip your cap and address her as "Ma'am." She's earned it.If you’ve been inspired by Susie’s story to write your own autobiography, StoryTerrace is here to help! Get in touch to find out how you can write your memoirs to inspire others today and sign up for our newsletter to hear more fascinating stories from our clients.

All stories have themes, and your biography is no exception. Theme, after all, is just another word for a central idea that runs through a narrative. Lots of common themes crop up again and again in literature. In fact, you’re probably already familiar with some of them: Love, power, politics, and history are all common themes that crop up in all forms of media.When it comes to memoirs, themes can be as varied as people are. US presidents, for example, have published memoirs with themes as varied as dealing with crises, hope for the future, and the art of making a deal.Working out the theme of your memoir can make it way easier to write. Your theme is what your book is about — what you’re going to focus on when writing. In some cases, it can be the key that opens up your story and allows you to tell it in a way that really works.

5 Classic Memoir ThemesThere’s no right or wrong when it comes to picking a theme for your memoir, but there are some common themes to be aware of. Here are a few of them. Do any fit with your story? 1. Triumph Over AdversityYour memoir might be the story of how you got to where you are today: how you ran a marathon, started a business, traveled the world, or met the love of your life. The common theme here is success, no matter what obstacles you found in your way.There are dozens of famous memoirs that have success against the odds as a central theme. Take a look at Maya Angelou’s I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings or The Water Is Wide by Pat Conroy for some well-known and highly-regarded examples.2. SurvivalThroughout history, people have survived some extraordinary circumstances — everything from world wars to plane crashes to being lost at sea. A survival story not only tells the tale of how someone escaped a sticky situation, but also about the rest of their life and what events equipped them with the skills and mindset to pull through.If you fancy taking a look at a great survival-themed memoir, you could try Aaron Ralston’s memoir Between a Rock and a Hard Place. This book was the basis for the film 127 Hours — an extraordinary true story of how Aaron survived when trapped in a canyon in the desert.3. Friends and FamilyOur friends, family, and partners are what make us who we are. Many memoirs have friends and family as a central theme. They tell the story of how these people helped shape the narrator’s life or allowed them to find their place in the world.For some great examples of memoirs that put friends and family front and center, take a look at the StoryTerrace biographies Reflections at 80 by Alan Robbins and This is Me by Joyce Powell. Both of these memoirs celebrate not just their subjects, but the most important people around them, too.4. Coming of AgeGrowing up isn’t always easy. A coming-of-age story focuses on the narrator’s younger years and tells the tale of how they navigated childhood and adolescence — while laying the foundations for their adult selves.There are hundreds of great coming-of-age memoirs out there. Everyone from film star Michael J. Fox to ex-President Barack Obama to children’s author Roald Dahl has penned one. Even the most famous celebrity has a childhood, and the sometimes-funny, sometimes-messy process of growing up makes for a great read — especially when you already know how it turns out in the end!5. Accepting ChangeLife is full of surprises. Some are good while others can be difficult to deal with. A great theme for a memoir is accepting a sudden or unexpected change. That change could be moving to a new country, losing your job, or taking on an incredible journey to find a new direction in life.The Year of Magical Thinking by Joan Didion (a National Book Award winner) is a great example of a book that makes change its central theme. And it’s not alone. Famed memoir Eat, Pray, Love also tells a story with transformation at its heart.

So What’s Your Theme?If you’re not sure where to start when it comes to telling your life story, picking out a theme can be a huge help. Your theme can be a central pillar around which you build the rest of your story or the scaffolding that helps your story stand up.But how do you find the theme that’s right for you?Talking to the important people in your life can be incredibly helpful. You might ask friends and family what they think defines you. Their answers can help you decide whether your life story should focus on exotic travel, your business dealings, or something else.Sorting through your souvenirs and diaries can also help jog your memories. What have you kept over the years? What do you most value? Have you held onto things that make you laugh? If so, then maybe a central theme could be comedy, or the absurdity of life. If it's mementoes from a life of fulfilling work, then make work your theme.You can also chat with your StoryTerrace biographer about themes. Once you’ve sat down and told them your life story, they’ll be able to suggest a good theme to build your memoir around. After all, a professional writer is an expert at crafting a narrative around a central theme.

Got a theme in mind and want to discuss it further? If so, get in touch to see how we can help you write your memoirs. Alternatively, you can sign up for our newsletter for more about writing and sharing your life story.

Storytelling is as old as time itself. For thousands of years, our stories have bonded families, connected communities, and inspired individuals. But when it comes to writing your biography, many people worry that their tale isn't worth telling."Who would want to read my story?""Aren't biographies for famous people?"The truth is that everyone has a story to tell, and everyone's story matters. That includes you, reader! Here are our top seven reasons to put pen to paper and write your story.

1. Do it for your familyMaybe you feel like writing your biography is showing off. "What's so special about me?" you ask.Let's turn this question around: don't you wish your parents and grandparents had written down some of their experiences? Wouldn't it be amazing to have a record of what life was like for them sitting on your shelf? Your children and grandchildren will probably feel exactly the same way. You may underestimate how much your anecdotes and memories matter to them. Your stories are part of who they are—and getting it down on paper in your voice will mean a lot to them. Look at it as your family's biography. Writing your story doesn't have to be something you do for yourself!“It's wonderful that my parents' story is finally in print and that the books will be passed down to future generations so that they will get to know their family history”— Audrey

2. Your story is interesting!Perhaps you're worried your stories aren't interesting enough for a book. We've found that if you ask the right questions, everyone's life is interesting. You don't have to be a celebrity or politician to have a story worth capturing—especially if your audience is your own family.If you think about members of your family, your thoughts probably land on loveable idiosyncrasies and funny moments, as well as challenges, achievements, and milestones. The same is going to be true when a family member thinks about you. Anything can make for a meaningful or amusing anecdote. Once you start writing your biography, the problem is almost always what to leave out.

3. Writing your biography preserves your family heritageMost biographies aren't just about the storyteller—they also document family history. You can use your book to preserve memories of your parents, grandparents, or even great-grandparents. Where did they live? What was a working day like? What was a big family meal or vacation like? These are precious details that will be lost if you don't take the time to write them down.If you take the long view, you are a link in a chain going back generations—and that makes you the custodian of your family's story, as well as your own.

4. It's a rare moment for self-reflectionThought experiment: what would the chapter titles of your biography be? It's an interesting way to reflect on things. Most of us get so consumed by daily routine, family obligations, and work that we neglect to take a moment to reflect on our life, the things we’ve accomplished, and the people that we’ve touched along the way.Creating a book and giving events a structure is one of the most important benefits of biography writing. It gives you a “big picture” view of your life and draws out the real themes in your life so far.

5. It might just be good for your healthOur customers often tell us that writing their biography was a surprisingly therapeutic experience. According to Psychology Today, “Every time you tell your story and someone else who cares bears witness to it, you turn off the body’s stress responses, flipping off toxic stress hormones like cortisol and epinephrine and flipping on relaxation responses that release healing hormones like oxytocin, dopamine, nitric oxide, and endorphins.” That's medicine within itself.“I came across Story Terrace in searching the internet for help to write my life story. I had made a few attempts at writing the story, to leave for my children and grandchildren. Lack of direction or discipline made me realise that I needed help if I wanted to have my story told”— Gerard Dieters

6. It's a great bonding experienceIn the 21st century, families are often spread out across the nation—and even the globe. This distance takes away much of the storytelling that naturally occurs around the kitchen table, in the living room, or even driving in the car together.Writing your biography is a great moment for your family to reconnect. Get them involved in the process—talk over their favorite memories, or ask them for their favorite photos. You can do this online, over the phone, or best of all in person. You may soon find yourselves all laughing together over old tales long forgotten, and new ones uncovered for the first time.

7. It's easier than ever to get it doneBiography writing doesn’t have to be a solo act. In fact, many celebrities and other well-known individuals don’t actually write their own memoirs. Instead, they hire ghostwriters. If you use a ghostwriter, you can talk freely about varying parts of your life, and they will ask pertinent questions to fill in holes or get a better understanding of events. Story Terrace has made ghostwriters available to everyone—we work with over 500 qualified writers worldwide, and manage the entire book creation process, from finding the right writer to printing your books.“We tell ourselves stories in order to live”― Joan Didion, writer and journalistIf you’re ready to capture your story, Story Terrace can help. Contact us to schedule a free consultation, or sign up for our newsletter to stay up to date on the power of storytelling.

What is the best way to share your memories with your loved ones?Writing a memoir is not an easy task, with memories and emotions all trying to make their way out of your head and onto the paper. Thoughts can get jumbled and memories distorted. Getting it just right might seem like a daunting task, requiring you to dig deep into your memory bank to drudge up old and occasionally even painful memories.However, the importance of documenting your story cannot be overstated. Writing about your life can be transformative, helping you put things into perspective. Creating your memoir may help to connect the dots, identify themes in your life, and, of course, document your legacy for your family. It provides the means for you to share your experiences and wisdom with future generations.Everyone has a memory to share, and yours is waiting for you to take that first step to begin.As exciting as it may be to get started on this journey, it’s natural to be stopped short by one big question: “What if I get it wrong?”The simple answer is that these are your memories, and there is no wrong or right to it. But while the memories are yours, you still want to tell the story in a way that will keep your readers engaged.When writing your memoirs, avoid these common problems to make sure your book is one that readers will enjoy for years to come.!

Photo Credit: Monkey Business Images1. Memoir Versus BiographyProblem: Most people want to begin their memoirs with the day that they were born. While your life story certainly has a beginning, your memoir is not an autobiography of your entire life, documenting every detail and life event. It is more important to share the specifics of the most important memories and events rather than every minor detail of your life. A memoir is a snapshot in time capturing a more personal, focused view of a memory.Solution: Keep your reader engaged by sharing the important parts of the story or event, allowing emotion and vulnerability to shine through. Use this time to document the details of an event or memory instead of worrying about sharing a chronological history of your life.2. Stream of Consciousness WritingProblem: You may be so eager to document the event that your writing is disorganized and fragmented. Writers often share events as a stream of consciousness, divulging random memories and thoughts as they pop into their heads. Unfortunately, this does not make for an interesting read and may even confuse the reader — especially if it leads to long, run-on sentences that are hard to follow.Solution: Use an outline to lay out the story and details in an organized fashion. Following a step-by-step process will also trigger unexpected memories, helping you to enhance and improve the story as you go. Resist the urge to share facts, figures, and dates that are not related to the specific memory to avoid confusing the reader.

Photo Credit: Getty Images3.

Will Others Be Offended?Problem: Many writers have avoided writing their memoirs for years or even decades in fear of hurting others’ feelings. A memoir is a personal recollection of an event from your perspective. Not everyone who reads your story may like it or agree, but these are your memories. Censoring your thoughts will lead to a much weaker story.Solution: Do not allow fear of persecution or disagreement to prevent you from sharing your story as you recall it. Ignore the haters and naysayers and tell your truth. Your recollection is unique and should not be tainted or skewed by the opinions of others.4. Avoid Giving AdviceProblem: Readers pick up a book or a memoir for entertainment. It is usually not meant to teach, inspire, or motivate, although these are possible outcomes of good writing. As you write your memoir, resist the urge to tell the reader how to overcome something in their own life and focus on what your journey means to you.Solution: Think about the telling of your story as a novel. What will keep the reader entertained and motivated to continue reading? Share words of wisdom as lessons that you have learned, rather than writing a “how-to” manual. Avoid giving the reader unsolicited advice!Writing your memoir should be fun and rewarding as you retrieve possibly long-forgotten memories and share your feelings and emotions with an audience. Remember that this is your story. In the end, the most successful memoirs are the ones that remain true to their writer’s vision.Story Terrace Can HelpAt Story Terrace, we understand the importance of sharing your memories exactly as you recall them. Our experienced writers and streamlined editing process eliminate many of the common pitfalls and roadblocks you may encounter in writing your memoir. Through in-person, video, or telephone interviews, one of our writers will help you share your story in your voice, guiding you through each step of the journey.We also make the process enjoyable! Writing your memoirs shouldn’t be stressful. Whether you tackle the task on your own or with professional help, make sure to take the time to enjoy the process of reliving your most important memories and sharing them with your future readers.If you're interested in sharing your memories with family and friends, we can pair you with a Story Terrace writer near you to streamline the process. You can also sign up for our newsletter for more helpful writing advice.