5 Tips on Writing About YOU

Writing the story about YOU is a journey where your heart can easily melt into an oven-baked apple pie and your eyes run storms. Nevertheless, it is something that weighs heavy in worth. It's precious. It is rare because there is only ONE you.

In fact, there are almost 8 billion people on this earth and each one has a story to share! It is not easy, but it is certainly rewarding when completed. I, myself, have written memoirs, one published on the back of my poetry book, "Unveiled" and another published in "Your Story" by Musart Ellaahi, not to mention all the unpublished assignments I did throughout high school and college!

Here are five tips and techniques you can use when writing your autobiography or memoir:

1. Ask yourself, "Am I ready for this?"

There are many things in life where there never seems to be the right time or place for. Writing a memoir or autobiography is NOT one of those things. You need to be ready so do not write a memoir or autobiography unless you ARE ready for the roller coaster that comes with it. Those tracks will be smooth at times and bumpy at times, not to mention the varying levels up, down, around, twisting and turning. Being ready for this is like fastening the belt tight enough for this ride; one uncertainty can cause that strap to break loose.

2. Where to start or begin?

Old photographs are incredible reminders of what has been and a great way to prepare a visual outline. It is also the beginning stage of picking and choosing. YOU decide the story of YOU. YOU decide what you want to share with the world, whether it is your lowest point, your highest point, your favorite childhood memory, the most impactful people in your life over the years, the most challenging time that taught you to get up again and keep walking forward.

3. Interview family, relatives, friends and some acquaintances. Ask them questions like, "What was the funniest moment we shared together?" or "What is your earliest memory of me?"

4. Revisit your most memorable places for example, your childhood home, your old school or the park where you rode your bike with your friends.

5. Answer job interview questions, not for a real job, but for yourself. Believe it or not, there is a lot you can discover about yourself when trying to answer such questions for example, "Tell me about yourself," "What are your greatest strengths?" and "What are your greatest weaknesses?" This website has 125 job interview questions that can help you create a written outline. I actually refer my English students to it when we work on projects about their future plans.

HAPPY WRITING!