Writing Tip #2: Begin Triggering Memories

Here are some suggestions you can do to begin triggering memories about your past:

•Create a separate piece of paper for each time frame of your life, i.e., Beginnings/Childhood, Teen Years, Early Adult Years including mission and college years, Courtship/Marriage, Being a Parent, Middle Adult Years, Being a Grandparent, Personal Reflections and Interesting Tidbits.

Use these sheets of paper to jot down your memories as you go through some of the exercises listed below. Use short descriptions and key words that will help you recall the incident when you come back to the list to begin writing your story.

• Go through your photo albums and scrapbooks. Pictures will jog memories you might not otherwise remember. As you look at the pictures create lists of people you want to write about (family members, extended family, friends, neighbors), places you have been, experiences you have had. Jot down just enough to remind yourself what it is you wish to write about when you come back to this list later on. The trick is to just get as much as possible out onto the sheet of paper or computer screen in front of you.

• Find a quiet time (and space). Let your mind just start reflecting on some of your earliest memories. Begin jotting down any and all thoughts that occur to you as you reflect upon each time frame of your life. (You may actually find yourself waking up at night, remembering something about your life that you forgot to include in your list – be prepared with a pencil and paper handy!)

•Talk to your parents, siblings, or other relatives and ask them what they remember about certain times or events in your life.

•Look through your journals, certificates, and awards received. These will bring out a wealth of memories – again, just jot down the key essentials that will remind you of the events when you are ready to write about them. (Use this time now to identify those photos and certificates, etc., that you might like to scan and include in your history.)

• Create lists such as:
• all the schools you attended
• all the places you have lived
• jobs you have held
• church positions in which you have served
• relatives names, family members, etc.

Don’t feel like you have to do this all in one sitting. Let yourself think about your past, it is amazing what will come to mind – just be sure to jot it down so you can later tell your story. You can now sort this information by category so it will be available when you are ready to write about each of those events or categories.

You may or may not want to write your history in chronological order – it’s all up to you. For now just begin writing, share your memories about the event, the person, or the situation. Later, you can put all these events in the order you want.

Good Luck! Get Started! Have FUN!