How to write a story about your life. Top 10 tips for writing a story about your life.

"I want to write the story of my life, but I don't know where to start."

I can't tell you how many times I've heard this statement. Many people have a story to tell. Maybe it's a story only shared with family and friends, but it's important to the author nonetheless. If you're one of those people who want to write your life story but don’t know where to start, read on for some tips on how to do it.

1. Think about who is going to read your story.

If you're just writing for your family, that story may be different than if you're writing your story for the general public to read. Think about whether or not you want to change people's names. If your life was difficult, you may not want to include the real names of the people involved. You may also consider whether your life story could be written as fiction. There is a saying that "real life is better than fiction". Perhaps her true story could be written in the form of fiction, making it more sellable to the mass market.

2. Just start typing.

Write everything you can think of that you want to include in your life story. At this point, the order doesn't necessarily matter; get the memories and information yes.

3. Write the scenes of your life.

Write scenes from your life that you want to include in your story on different sheets of paper or index cards. This is a place where I recommend using the old-fashioned way of writing with pen and paper. Since all of your scenes are written separately, you can later rearrange them in an order that is appropriate for your book.

4. Choose a theme.

Is there something you want to enlighten people about? Perhaps your family owned a farm or restaurant and you want to share your experiences through that.

5. Decide how to organize your story.

Do you want to tell it in chronological order? Do you want to focus on one aspect of your life? Do you want to go back and forth between “the old days” and the present? Once you decide on your order, you can go back and rearrange what you've already written.

6. Use friends and family.

While you may not remember all the details about a given event, I guarantee someone who was there will. Asking family and friends for ideas or details of a certain situation can give you a completely different perspective on the event or moment in your life. That perspective could prove invaluable in your writing. To be prepared; once you get a group of family and friends together to reminisce, you'll be amazed at how quickly ideas come and how one idea can spark another and another.

7. Add a range of emotions.

Don't let your whole story be depressing. Even if your story isn't a fairy tale, be sure to include some bright spots of hope or humor.

8. Use photos to refresh your memories.

Sort old photos. These can help you remember small points in your life or help provide details about people and settings.

9. Use audio or video to record your memories.

Not necessarily a writer, but still want to record your story in some way? Do not think that there is no hope for you. Consider making audio or video recordings. Audio recordings can be especially helpful. You can take the audio recordings to a writer/transcriptionist who can then write your story in a logical order. Working closely with a writer while verbally recording your stories can be an alternative when you feel like you are getting too close to the story.

10. Enjoy therapeutic writing.

It is possible that writing your life story can be therapeutic, offering closure on some not-so-bright spots in your personal story along with emotional and psychological healing. Maybe your life was just a circus act from the start and it's fun. If writing your life story moves you as you write it, think of all the people you can touch when they read it.