[How to Write Your Own Life Story: The Classic Guide for the Nonprofessional Writer] [Author: Daniel, Lois] [October, 1997]

by Lois Daniel

Writing the story of one's life sounds like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be. This warmhearted, encouraging guide helps readers record the events of their lives for family and friends. Excerpts from other writers' work are included to exemplify and inspire. Provided are tips on intriguing topics to write about, foolproof tricks to jog your memory, ways to capture stories on paper without getting bogged down, ways to gather the facts at a local library or historical society, inspired excerpts from other writers, and published biographies that will delight and motivate.

Genres: Writing, Nonfiction, Self Help, Memoir

Paperback

First published August 1, 1997

Reviews

[Dave Courtney · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not a book you necessarily finish. Rather, it works like a textbook for a course in how to write your own life story. A book you finish, and then reread and revisit as you do the exercise.

First and foremost, this is not about creating expert writers. It's not for a select group of people who are capable of writing. It's for everyone. It's for all people. It's about giving simple tools that can help anyone and all people write their life story in a way that others will be able to read.

Even more, it's about why this is a good and necessary exercise for all people.

The process revolves around creating a memory bank. This is the central hub that drives the wiring process. The writing bank is a notebook with each page reflecting a category, everything from "birth" to vacations to family members, friends, pivotal moments, jobs, etc., As it says in the first chapter, "these facts will gather interest just like a savings account."

As the book goes along we get different pieces of advice:
1. Write like you are talking to a fiends, and write in your own voice (don't be ashamed of it, it will be your greatest tool)
2. Write honestly
3. Write about feelings and emotions, not just data points and facts
4. Connect things from the past with things in the present
5. Don't be afraid to use descriptive

"The main thing is to start writing and keep writing." Even just a half hour a day. Just for writing (she cautions about the temptation to get lost in research and editing and revision).

Or this- every story should answer who, what, why, how, where and when. Along with this is the advice to always assume that the people reading know nothing about the story and make sure you give context (always ask, have I included enough- the answer is usually no).

On the topic of research (I'm bad at it), she breaks it down into simple, bite size pieces- a couple hours at the library, and then asking family and friends (as she puts it- ask, ask, ask). She sees this exercise as an opportunity to connect as you are writing.

I've got my memory book going. I've been antsy about getting going on the writing. That's the next step. The book is helpful because each chapter tackles one of the assignments, and the author thinks it's a good exercise to start with your birth. What's funny is this is probably the chapter that requires the most research, and I've already found myself giving into the temptation. Thus the authors solution- just write

And here I am distracting myself writing a book review instead 🙃🙂

[Patty · Rating 1 out of 5]

The suggestions in this book are uniformly obvious, and the examples given to illustrate the suggestions show little voice or style. On Writing by Stephen King and Bird by Bird are far more helpful guides for an aspiring writer.

[Ron · Rating 4 out of 5]

My art mentor has this sister, she is 70 and runs a legal marijuana farm in Oregon. She also ran a brothel in Japan. We are planning on coaxing some stories from her, so I picked up some books on writing. Stephen King's "On Writing" is next....

[Minista Brenden · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is stellar! A lot of ideas as to how to start the process of writing an autobiography from an experienced teacher on how to do so! I have learned a lot. I have read hundreds of autobiographies and a few biographies, but I was still perplexed as to how to start the process of writing my own life story. This book explains step-by-step how to do so. I loved it!

I will now be starting the assignments listed in this book's course curriculum so that I can piece together an autobiography. I have to do some research and get some answers from people first, but I am starting where I am and can and will be starting this week! I cannot wait. I highly recommend this book if you want to know how to start and write an autobiography. It will change your life and leave a legacy for your descendants to remember you by in your own words and from your own life's stories - straight from the horse's mouth!

[Nancy Miller · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mini Review

Pros:

Very encouraging of hesitant writers
Good basic advice on how to start, how to organize
Many examples of well-written "stories"
List of memoirs/autobiographies to read as potential models

Cons:

In 1997 version, still refers to hand-writing or using a "typewriter"!
Examples are mostly from people born 1915 ish! Very different era.
Many religious references (a la white Christian American c. 1955)
Does not address key issue of how to be "always honest" without offending family members

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have to thank a former colleague who a few weeks ago gave me a copy of an outline of this book that I gave her, probably in the 1980s. The post-it note attached to the print-out says I got it from another former colleague.

I think Lois Daniel's method will get me started (again) writing about my life. I want to do this for my daughter because there are so many things I wish I'd asked my mother about her life. I also want my daughter to know what my world was like when I was a child and a young woman, something Lois Daniel emphasizes is important.

[Don · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is very dated, but has some generally good suggestions for putting together an outline for writing your own life story. I failed to see that it was orignally published in 1980 and the last publication date was 1997. A lot of the information was dated and even would be considered racially offensive, i.e. describing Blacks as Negroes.

[Linda Baldwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well thought out guide leading you to think about the story of your own past using themes and tips for capturing anecdotes. Great for anyone who has no idea how to get started.

[John Orman · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book shows how to record the events of your life for family and friends, by listing out small projects that can be built and assembled into a manageable autobiography.

I liked the section on inspired excerpts from other writers, as well as a list of published biographies.

[Felicia follum · Rating 3 out of 5]

Perfect for those who wish to leave something for their family and children. This isn't a book about how to write an auto biography but does have some good prompts and topics to write on.

Overall a good resource for writing.

[Jeanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the best guides for the non-professional writer. It gives you a great foundation to attack what is a daunting task for most people.

[Javatis Midget · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a good book for anyone looking to write their life story. There are some great examples of topics one can write about for their story. This book definitely helped me with several ideas.