Writing a Memoir Worksheet That Helps You Tell Your Story
By kristen overman
editor and writing teacher.
Writing a memoir worksheet is an important step toward telling your life story. Writing about your life can be an incredibly rewarding experience. It allows you to reflect on the events and experiences that have shaped who you are today, and it can also provide a way for you to share your story with others.
However, it can be difficult to know where to start when writing a memoir. To help you get on your way, here are some questions and prompts that you might use when you want to write a memoir or autobiography.
Writing a Memoir Worksheet
The first step in writing a memoir worksheet is to think about the themes and topics that you want to explore. What are the most important moments in your life that you want to share? What lessons have you learned from these experiences? What do you want readers to take away from your story? Once you have identified the literary themes of your memoir, you can begin to brainstorm ideas for how to structure your story. Writing a memoir worksheet will provide the bones of your story for you to flesh out as you draft.
Remember, you are not writing the entire story of your life, beginning with your birth. Contemporary memoirs are encapsulations of some experiences that coalesce around a specific subject or takeaway. That’s why writing a memoir worksheet is a must in this climate. You can’t just go in chronological order!
When writing a memoir, it is important to focus on the details. What were the sights, smells, and sounds of the places you visited? How did people dress and speak? What emotions did you feel during different moments in your life? These details will help bring your story to life and make it more engaging for readers. Listing some of these when writing a memoir worksheet can remind you what scenes and settings and other details that you want to include to flesh out your life.
In addition to focusing on the details, you should also consider the people in your life who have had an impact on you. Who are the people who have been there for you during difficult times? Who has helped you grow and learn? What have you learned from them? Secondary characters are an important part of writing a memoir worksheet—though you will want to be sensitive to how you portray friends and relatives (and even enemies), especially if they are still alive.
The Most Important Part of Writing a Memoir Worksheet
Finally, it is important to think about the overall message of your memoir. What do you want readers to take away from your story? What do you want them to learn? What do you want them to remember? What is your writing theme? What is the truth at the heart of your story?
These questions and prompts can help you get started when writing a memoir worksheet. By reflecting on the themes, details, people, and messages that are important to you, you can create a powerful and meaningful story that will resonate with readers … and it all starts with writing a memoir worksheet.
elevate your writing
Are you ready to take your story to the next level? Kristen Overman is here to help you! She's an experienced editor with expertise in middle grade and young adult fiction, picture books, adult fiction, and memoir. She can work with you to develop your plot, characters, and narrative voice, as well as assist in the brainstorming and outlining stages of your project.
