"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."

Opening Remarks: Nostalgic Wax

If find it fascinating the little things that can trigger memories and nostalgia. Old songs. Movies or television shows from your youth. The smell of mowed grass. The crisp air at an evening High School football game. Photographs and the way some people laugh. Even riding a bicycle. When you get struck by something that stimulates your reminiscing you should grab a notepad or turn on the computer and do a little writing. Most memoirists and personal history writers find that the more you write about such things the easier it gets. Repetition strengthens and clarifies and your writing improves.

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While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: Heart of Your Story

There’s a Don Henley song that talks about “getting down to the heart of the matter”. When you make the decision to tell your life story you are faced with a big task, because ultimately you need to get to the heart of your story. You want to gather your thoughts, mine memories and pass along the lessons of your personal experiences. I imagine you, like most people motivated to share their personal history, want to tell others what really matters to you.

To do that well is not easy work. Not everyone is cut out for the task. If you are able to write it yourself that may be best course because you know yourself better than anyone else. Nevertheless, not everyone has the writing ability or desire. But if you find someone whom you can trust – a good listener and a gifted writer – your story can spring to life from the pages of your very own book.

One of the questions I get a lot is how to start. Most people are unsure how to begin and the task a getting their life story in print is frequently intimidating.

Here’s what I recommend first. Get to know yourself. I mean, find out who you really are. Doing that is not an overnight endeavor. Most of us take years to discover our true inner self. But that’s the real you and the one with the great life story!

The heart of your story is inherently spiritual. I’m not talking about your personal religious beliefs (although that certainly can be important). I’m talking about the inner self that has dreams, hopes, and valuable experiences. This inner self is passionate. Your deep inner you is who you really are when you strip away all the surface stuff. There is no room for masks or falseness. The real you has the real story.

Once you are in touch with your true self you can then decide how intimate you want readers to be with your life experiences and your inner being. Not everything may be appropriate. Some parts of your story might be better left unsaid. Avoid sharing what can intentionally harm others. But also know that tapping into your true inner self is a gift. It’s a gift to you. Sharing who you really are, what you believe and what truly matters can be a powerful gift to others.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

H.I.P. - it sounds cool, or should I say “hip”? But just what is it? The Human Interest Project is an online multimedia platform for inspirational and transformative stories that honor people who change themselves and the world around them. That’s a good mission. Photographer Ryan Bevans and writer Echo Brown created the site and they are encouraging people to submit their stories in a contest that will award cash prizes to the best entries. There is a modest $25 entry fee which subsidizes the contest and the mission. Get more details here.

MemoryGrabber 4.0

MemoryGrabber is a great downloadable e-book resource to help you put together your life story. Michael Boyter of Family History Products put this valuable resource together and he’s updated and revised it to make it even better.

It’s very affordable and useful. If you are unsure how to get started on your memoir, autobiography, or life story the MemoryGrabber 4.0 will inspire you and lead you through the practical process of your life history. Find out more here.

Closing Information

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert