6 Tips for How to Write a Memoir or Autobiography: 1 Page a Day Equals 365 Pages by the End of 2009

Have you ever thought about writing your own autobiography? Perhaps you've wanted to write your own memoir, but forgotten the idea because you're too young, not famous, or any other myriad reasons? Stop making excuses, and start writing! Make your 2009 new year's resolution to write your own memoir.

Think you don't have the skills to write a memoir? Worried that you just don't have the time? Think again: if you can find the time to write just one page of your memoir every day, by the end of 2009, and you will have a 365 page life story.

I've been writing for as long as I can remember, and from the journals I've keep over the years, as well as tons of blog entries across the internet, I've decided to write my own memoir this year, so you'll be in good company! In fact, if you want to check in with me throughout the year to see how my writing's going, I encourage you to do so!

Here are some tips and pointers that I will be keeping in mind as I write my memoir, and I hope that you will take this advice into consideration as you write your own work. Whether or not you ever let anyone read your memoir is completely up to you, but your autobiography would make a great 2009 Christmas gift for your loved ones. A memoir is also a great family heirloom to pass on to your kids. Whatever your reason for writing, remember: you can't decide whether or not to let your loved ones read your memoir until you have written it!

Don't write in chronological order

Instead of starting with your birth and listing details all the way up until now, instead try this: brainstorm on the most memorable days of your life. Whether it's the day you met your first love, your wedding day, the birth of your first child, make a list of the most memorable and shaping events of your life. Try to focus on positive events. Yes, you'll probably mention the passing of your mother if that's an event that really changed your life, but try to keep the majority focused on uplifting aspects of your life.

If you have trouble thinking of events, try to focus on decades: for instance, up until your tenth birthday, what do you remember the most? What do you remember most from your teenage years? What stand out events happened when you were in your twenties? You might want to focus on historical events as well: for instance, where were you the day that Kennedy was assassinated and how did the event impact your life? How about 9/11?

Organize your list by putting the most influential events at the top of the list and working your way down. Later, when you've written everything, you can go back and put everything in order, if you want to.

Think like a journalist

Now that you've made a list of events, and placed them in order of importance, begin each topic by answering the questions who, what, when, where, why, and how. Who was involved? What happened? When did the event take place? Where was it? Why did the event take place? How did that day impact your life? Write a paragraph or two for each question, and you'll easily get several pages out of each event.

Add sensory details

Focus on the stand out details of the memory: when you remember your high school graduation, what do you remember the most? Is it the sound of 100 nervously chattering fellow graduates? The color of your gown? The fight you had with your boyfriend just before the ceremony? Focus on the senses of sight, sound, scent, touch, and taste to create a story that comes alive.

Don't self-edit

When you start writing, don't worry about grammar, spelling, punctuation, or any of the nitty-gritty details that your inner editor might throw at you. Just write. You can worry about the details in 2010, after you've finished your first draft. Also, and this is very important, don't edit for content! Don't leave out the juicy details just because you're worried about who might read it. Remember that you don't ever have to share your autobiography with anyone, if you don't want to, and why bother writing a sanitized memoir?

Only trouble is interesting

Take a tip from creative writers, and don't forget about conflict. Yes, earlier, I said to focus on positive memories, but a memoir that's all sunshine and roses won't be very interesting for anyone to read. Conflict isn't just about fights between people. Conflict can be internal, like wanting two different things, or external, poor weather in the forecast. What almost ruined your big day? What were you worried about during the event? What other event affected your feelings that day?

Keep Writing

Run out of events from the initial exercise? Get creative! Write a page about your most memorable childhood memory, your favorite memory from your child's youth, your spouse's most distracting habit, and the way you felt upon becoming a grandparent. Write about your favorites: color, food, song, vacation, etc. Transcribe a conversation you had with your grandchild and explain how it made you feel. Write about your daily habits or your most cherished possessions. Write about your hobbies, your dreams, and your life's accomplishments.

By writing a page every day, you will encourage a new habit, likely remember days and events that you thought were long forgotten, and you'll probably talk about your memories with your loved ones, too. When you feel stuck, and you probably will, remind yourself that your story is important to the people who love you and keep writing.

Feeling inspired? William Zinsser wrote an article, "How to write a memoir," available on The American Scholar.