How to start writing your memoir or autobiography

So you’re about to start writing your life story. Perhaps someone suggested you finally collect all those tales you tell in one place. Or maybe you had the idea to record your life as a memento for your children and grandchildren. It could even be that you were given a My Story In Words account as a gift. However you got to this point, all you need to do now is start...But your mind goes as blank as the page in front of you. Where on earth do you begin?

Unlock your memories

Every experience from the whole of our life is encoded somewhere in our brain. When we access these memories we often do so organically; through talking to people or experiencing something in the present that reminds us of our past. So it can feel quite unnatural to just sit down and try and conjure memories out of thin air. When we do, we usually end up with a series of snapshots rather than any cohesive, whole memories. These snapshots might seem unhelpful but actually they can be a wonderful place to start.

‘I Remember’

Joe Brainard, an American artist and writer, published his first memoir, I Remember, in 1970. In it he records a series of memories of moments, sensations, thoughts, objects, dreams, people etc., each beginning with the phrase ‘I remember’. Some of these are literal snapshots, some are expanded into more of a short story. Sometimes they are linked thematically, like this sequence from his childhood:

I remember “pick-up sticks,” “tiddlywinks,” “fifty-two pick-up,” and “war.''

I remember dangerous BB gun stories about kids losing eyeballs.

I remember being more than a bit disappointed over all the fluffy gray stuff with tiny red specks I discovered inside an old teddy bear’s stomach once.

I remember turning around and around real fast until you can’t stand up.

I remember going on fly swatting sprees, and keeping a very accurate count of how many dead.

It’s an unusual style of writing but it’s an incredibly effective insight into Brainard’s life and opinions. It is moving in one moment and then suddenly rather funny in the next and, subsequently, it has become very influential.

Your story

Now we’re not suggesting that this is how to write your autobiography or memoir, but it could be a helpful exercise to get some thoughts down. Try setting yourself a task to write as many sentences beginning with ‘I remember’ as you can in five minutes and see what comes out - it might surprise you. What starts out as snapshots can end up unearthing forgotten details, names, faces, and before you know it, you’ve started writing!

My Story in Words

We know how hard it can be to think of every interesting moment in your life. That’s why we’ve collected over 200 prompts to help you along the way. Combined with exercises like ‘I remember’, the process can be fulfilling and rewarding for you and your family.

Click here to begin your My Story In Words journey.