Writing Life Stories - 9 Questions That Will Get You Started
Writing someone's life story and keeping it simple is crucial in completing the task.
Can story writing be kept simple? Yes.
How? You just have to start.
Don't delay.
Don't let you or yours become the photos in the shoe box that are strangers to the onlookers because someone didn't have the time to write the stories behind the photos.
First step is to get a pen or paper.
Maybe a computer or even a typewriter (do those still exist?) How about a voice recorder or a 'smart' pen.
Maybe copy and paste the questions and answer them in a word doc.
Don't let cost become an issue, pen and paper work just fine.
The great thing about pen and paper is the reader may be reading the actual handwriting of a loved one.
(The paper may be scanned in and duplicated later) If you have ever thought of honoring someone by writing their life story here are 9 questions you will want to answer to help yourself get started.
1.
What is unique or special about the person's background? Start with an introduction to the person's life story; this is a great place to include something about their own family history.
2.
Does the person have any special childhood memories? What are they? Share any fun, interesting, or humorous stories about the person's childhood.
Include specific experiences during the school years.
3.
Did they have any interests and talents early on? Take a minute to focus on the hobbies or interests that he or she enjoyed.
4.
When did the person first leave home? Talk about experiences such as college, military service, religious service, sports, dating, etc.
Really, anything interesting that happened in the young adult years.
5.
Who were the special people that shaped the person's life? What was life like for the young couple? 6.
What was the person's career and personal achievements? What strengths does the person show in the home or workforce? 7.
Are there any memorable vacation or holiday stories and traditions? What holiday traditions carried over from the person's childhood? 8.
What does he or she enjoy doing with family and others? Emphasize the important family accomplishments of the person.
If the person does not have a family, emphasize other important aspects of their life, such as nieces, nephews, pets, special friends, or co-workers.
9.
Is there any advice the person is known for giving? Share the important advice the person has for his or her loved ones.
If writing a memorial, celebrate the lessons that were learned from the person's life by preserving them on your paper with your pen.
These questions are just one of many more for each stage of life discussed.
You can find full, FREE guides at http://www.
storybookcoach.
com when you create a free account.
You will find these questions and many other guides.
As you answer the questions, the story begins to write itself.
These guides are called Storymaps and are amazing.
I encourage you to start today don't delay, write something, anything down.
This will be read by someone when you are no longer here on earth allowing you to reach out to others even after you are gone and allowing your legacy to live on.
Can story writing be kept simple? Yes.
How? You just have to start.
Don't delay.
Don't let you or yours become the photos in the shoe box that are strangers to the onlookers because someone didn't have the time to write the stories behind the photos.
First step is to get a pen or paper.
Maybe a computer or even a typewriter (do those still exist?) How about a voice recorder or a 'smart' pen.
Maybe copy and paste the questions and answer them in a word doc.
Don't let cost become an issue, pen and paper work just fine.
The great thing about pen and paper is the reader may be reading the actual handwriting of a loved one.
(The paper may be scanned in and duplicated later) If you have ever thought of honoring someone by writing their life story here are 9 questions you will want to answer to help yourself get started.
1.
What is unique or special about the person's background? Start with an introduction to the person's life story; this is a great place to include something about their own family history.
2.
Does the person have any special childhood memories? What are they? Share any fun, interesting, or humorous stories about the person's childhood.
Include specific experiences during the school years.
3.
Did they have any interests and talents early on? Take a minute to focus on the hobbies or interests that he or she enjoyed.
4.
When did the person first leave home? Talk about experiences such as college, military service, religious service, sports, dating, etc.
Really, anything interesting that happened in the young adult years.
5.
Who were the special people that shaped the person's life? What was life like for the young couple? 6.
What was the person's career and personal achievements? What strengths does the person show in the home or workforce? 7.
Are there any memorable vacation or holiday stories and traditions? What holiday traditions carried over from the person's childhood? 8.
What does he or she enjoy doing with family and others? Emphasize the important family accomplishments of the person.
If the person does not have a family, emphasize other important aspects of their life, such as nieces, nephews, pets, special friends, or co-workers.
9.
Is there any advice the person is known for giving? Share the important advice the person has for his or her loved ones.
If writing a memorial, celebrate the lessons that were learned from the person's life by preserving them on your paper with your pen.
These questions are just one of many more for each stage of life discussed.
You can find full, FREE guides at http://www.
storybookcoach.
com when you create a free account.
You will find these questions and many other guides.
As you answer the questions, the story begins to write itself.
These guides are called Storymaps and are amazing.
I encourage you to start today don't delay, write something, anything down.
This will be read by someone when you are no longer here on earth allowing you to reach out to others even after you are gone and allowing your legacy to live on.
