Writing your memoirs can be the bridge
to the meaning of life.

The outpouring of a life’s story may reveal a hidden order or meaning that is not previously apparent. What some people may not realise, it's important to put down on paper our lives and those of our relatives. Our family trees are researched and genealogies documented more and more these days. The sad fact is though, how many of us can't even remember the name of our great grandparents? These people who lived a hundred years ago or so and were the foundation of our immediate family today. They are not just a vague recollection; they too experienced love and laughter, tears and sadness. Their lives were full of drama and excitement. They don't deserve to be forgotten. Do you want your name and your experiences to be completely forgotten in a hundred years?

Do something about it now!

It is the colour and fabric of our lives that create the people we are, not the sequential order to which we are born. Without our stories, relatives, names, and identities become forgotten. However with a book of memoirs, we are able to transcend generations and are given purpose and a reason for being.

Writing your memoirs can be a rewarding and meaningful experience. You never know what family secrets you may unearth with all your digging. But most importantly it's fun, and somewhat additive.

There are essentially two purposes for writing your memoirs. Publishing them to a public forum, or as a keepsake of memories for the family. This is your personal choice, don't be influenced by opinion. You need to realise that others may not share the excitement and wonder you feel about your own or your family's life stories.

On the other hand, what may have started out with the intention of being a bound book on the family's bookshelf may actually hold powerful historic value and/or larger-than-life characters. It may be welcomed by avid readers everywhere. A second opinion is vital.

Just Write It

Don’t worry so much about the end product and what you are going to do with it. Write to capture the story and relate it to those that might read it. Don’t try to edit as you go. Allow your memories, facts and thoughts to flow first then edit later. It is highly recommended that you seek a professional editor to assist you in producing your work. You've put so much effort and time into it; don't ruin it in the final stages.

Research, Research, Research

Interview family members, especially older ones. Look up genealogy trees, birth certificates, death certificates, school records, journals, year books, military records and passports. There are surprises in every family and quite often names were changed (or middle names used instead), spelling of surnames altered, melded families created due to war, depression, sickness etc. Memories can become slanted over time. Always ensure your facts are correct.

More Important Points

• Do not be afraid to write in the first person. The story is about your life and you are telling it. However, nothing is stopping you from writing in the third person if that's your choice. It's your book, remember.
• Keep wording simple. Use language everyone can understand.
• Type names into search engines, such as Google, and see what you find.
• Take notes. Lives are chronologically set. That doesn’t mean you have to begin at the beginning. Dive into the middle and work your way out. However, it helps to have index cards with the correct order of events on them for easy referencing.
• Add extras, things that make it unique. A book of memoirs filled with photos of schools, towns, people and places add points of interest. Life is different now and people are interested in what life used to be like especially if they are related to them.
• Inject humour, anecdotes, quotes and sayings. Include family recipes and handy hints known to your family. These are the thread that sews your family’s patchwork quilt together.
• Do not use your memoirs as a levy for retribution. They should have meaning and depth. There should be a purpose that helps others achieve similar goals, such as making money, surviving against the odds or how to be a better person/parent/sibling.
• Use web sites with researchable data bases, such as www.Ancesestry.com.au and www.genealogysearchaustralia.com.au. These offer valuable information. You may even find a distant relative in another country where you can share information.
• Allow other family members to know about it. Or give them the opportunity to get a copy for themselves. Consider publishing your work on the web first and forwarding it to family members by e-mail so that they may add to it. Valuable information can be gathered this way and help to complete your work before final publishing.

Writing your memoirs is an heirloom for future generations. They contain captured moments in time usually with a purpose, punctuated with facts and anecdotes that tell a story. What does your story say?