When Should We Write Our Stories?
In our six-week life story workshop, we begin at the beginning when telling our stories. Is there a better place? Or is there a right place to begin? Yes. With a pen, keyboard, audio or video taping in hand. Just begin. Now. Or sometime near after!
How Should We Write Our Stories?
- Most people write their autobiographies chronologically. They find it to be less taxing.
- Too, consider writing chronologically and then add some flavor to your introduction. Jack Dreyfus, well known successful business man, opened his auto by taking us into Heaven. Imagine. His mother had passed away before he became famous. He took the opportunity to use his life story to express what he thought his mom might say upon learning of his successes. I always read the first chapter to my class. What a fun and imaginative read. It gets us out of our boxes and into the world of possibilities of sharing our stories in a fun and lighthearted way.
- Many authors begin in the present and then trail off into their pasts unveiling how they got to where they are today.
- Others start somewhere mid-way and jump into the past, then tie it all together while bringing the reader into the present. Examples: Goldie Hawn. Tom Laundry.
- Vignettes. Simple stories about certain significant events in life.
- Poetry. I've had poets in almost all of my workshops who used the genre to tell their story.
- Thematic. If you feel your life has had a particular theme, consider carrying it throughout your stories.
- Life-At-A-Glance. This would be an overview of your life. Some people write 5-10 stories and for them it's sufficient to describe their lives.
What should YOU do? Explore what works best for you, while not ruling out the creative possibilities.
Copyright © 2008 by Ellen M. Samples. All rights reserved.
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