Writing Your Autobiography
by Margaret L. Ingram
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Let’s discuss what is an autobiography, why write an autobiography, and who read your story. Also, we will discuss getting organized.
What is an Autobiography?
Your autobiography is a collection of the stories about the people, the places, and the experiences you have shared in your life from birth to the present day. It is a look at the past, a piece of history, and a way of life preserved for future generations.
Why write an Autobiography?
The stories of ones life will not only preserve our heritage, it may measure the changes, assist in making sense out of life, may be a blessing to others, or possibly bind families together.
In our mobile society your children and grandchildren may not live in the same town, same state, or in the United States, therefore you may not ever really know them. They may not ever know about your life, your parents way of life and so on.
First Chapter
Your first chapter or collection of stories may be titled ‘beginning years’ or ‘early years’ or ‘early childhood.’
Beginning with birth, then first memory, and the other first’s you experienced during the years prior to starting school. A parent, grandparent, or older sibling may have shared with you the story or stories of the circumstances of your birth.
What was your first memory? Your first haircut, pet, spanking, or playmates?
The time arrives to experience the first day of school. How did you get to school, how far? Did a brother or sister go to school with you?
The teacher, the classroom, the desks, and what about lunch, recess, and of course your favorite subjects are part of your school days.
Getting Organized!
Before you start writing your stories, you might want to locate the best storage system for your completed stories and prepare an outline of the periods in your life.
If you are NOT planning to use a computer, you might want to use a 3-ring notebook. With the use of page dividers you can organize the notebook into sections - list of stories, outline, chronology, and the ABC’s of Life.
A manila envelope may be a better choice if you plan to include photographs, letters, diary entries, and other memorabilia. On the face of the envelope you would indicate what period in your life the stories would relate to, then in the lower right corner list the memorabilia. The advantage to the envelope would be the stories and other items would all be together.
Want to know more, contact Margaret L. Ingram at POB 1339, Albany, OR 97321; call (541) 730-6450; or e-mail: margaret@dswebnet.com
Additional help includes: Personal History Workbook - $12 + p/h ; Memoirs By Mail - $39 for 10 lessons; Heritage Writer newsletter - $12/yr.
Author's Bio
Margaret L. Ingram of Albany, Oregon has lectured and taught life history writing since 1985. Author a newsletter and have published a Personal History Workbook.