How to Write Your Life Story

Home » Blog » How to Write Your Life Story
senior woman writing in notebook
The Shores of Lake Phalen

Once you reach a certain age, you’ve undoubtedly got a story to tell. Have you ever thought about sharing your story with others? Read on if you want to learn how to write your life story.

How to Write Your Life Story

Have you ever thought about what kind of legacy you want to leave behind? For some people, being remembered is intimately connected to their ability to tell their own stories. Maybe you’ve had some exciting adventures, or just learned some valuable life lessons you want to pass on to your kids and grandkids. If so, writing your life story out could be a great way to share your experiences. But how can you get started?

Don’t Get Intimidated

Before you start writing your life story, you may have some anxiety to overcome. That’s natural for every writer, so don’t let it stop you! There are solutions to every writer’s anxiety issues. If there’s a little voice in your head telling you that nobody wants to hear your life story, you can reply that memoirs are one of the most popular genres published today. If you’ve never written anything before, don’t worry. There are plenty of resources to help new writers at every stage of life. Have faith in yourself and your story, and you’ll end up with a final product you can be proud of.

Decide What You Want to Share

Unfortunately, you can’t write a memoir that includes everything that’s ever happened to you, or it would be too long to read. Instead of trying to fit everything, create an outline of the most significant events you want your memoir to cover, and use that to guide your writing as you move forward. You can include important life events like graduating from college or getting a great job, but be sure to include things that will help the reader understand your inner life too. Discuss your hopes, dreams, and fears. What do you want people to know about you, and why?

Trust Your Voice

Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery, but it’s not a great way to launch your literary career. You may be tempted to try to write like one of your favorite writers, but if someone is reading your story, they want to hear your voice. So be sure to explain things in your unique way, and let your authentic voice shine through. If you have a great sense of humor, a gift for wordplay, or any other distinctive flairs that make your writing “yours,” now is their chance to shine. And if you’re still discovering what makes your writing unique, all the better!

Don’t Write Alone

Writing can feel like a solitary activity when you start, but the fact is that every great writer usually has a community to support them. You don’t have to do it right away, but once you have a draft of your story done, you can get valuable feedback by sharing it with others. You can ask a trusted friend for their opinions, or better yet, see if you can join any writer’s groups or classes. It’s a great way to meet new people and also stay motivated to finish your story.

_____

Every person’s story is worth telling, so don’t let the world miss out on yours. Make a plan for how to write your life story, and you’ll leave a literary legacy you can be proud of.

Are you looking for a community that provides a positive, healthy atmosphere where you can live out your golden years? The Shores of Lake Phalen is an assisted living and memory care community in a quiet, peaceful environment in Maplewood, Minnesota. Surrounded by a gorgeous wooded setting between two lakes, our residence offers the accessibility of apartment-style housing with the atmosphere and elegance of a resort. We offer numerous health and safety amenities, fun events and activities, a friendly and accommodating staff, and so much more. Schedule a tour of the community to explore our spacious apartments, elegant dining room, and more. We look forward to hearing from you!