Recreating Your Past in Writing

Nearly the entire East Coast felt it. I did. Maybe you did too. Events like an earthquake immediately get people talking. This morning's chatter was about Gadhafi and Hurricane Irene. This afternoon it was centered around the earthquake. Yes, pun intended. Every moment our story changes.

As I think back to all the events that I have written about over the past years I see monumental ones, but they are only reference points to my entire story. There are also many smaller moments that document my journey that lend a flow from one event to the other. Despite the uniqueness of each story, all of them tie into one big goal: the tale of my life.

I'm in the midst of writing my memoir. I have big markers in my life that I can instantly recall but it is all the "little" moments that have truly given a voice to my story. What story are you working on? If your focus is a non-fiction piece about your life, what details may be missing? Here are some items that have helped me give greater detail to the telling of my story:

• Pictures are a great reminder - If you have any photos of the event you are recording, use them to create an image timeline. Pictures also help to capture the emotion of an event.
• People give intricate details - You may not remember tidbits of the story, but your friends may. Look to them to catch a different point of view of the event.
• Emails, Journals, Notes, Phone calls - Any record or document that can give you clues on dates and times of the event will be helpful in creating an accurate timeline.

As I recall things about my life, I try to make a note of it either by calling myself and leaving a voicemail, sending myself an email, or writing a note. Sometimes these memories slip by, so it is important to document them the moment you remember the event or specific details.

Don't just capture the "big picture" moments. Most readers want the details that create the voice of the story. That's when we become characters in the story we are reading.

Originally published through Whole Story Media Group.