It’s not too early to start writing your memoirs—even if you’re only in your early thirties. (And if you’re in your fifties, sixties, or beyond, what are you waiting for?!)
You may think, “I haven’t led an interesting enough life for people to want to read my story.” And you may well be right—but I’m not talking about PUBLISHED memoirs. I’m talking about memoirs your family and descendants will want to read.
Memoirs written for your family don’t have to be publication-worthy. They just have to paint a picture of what your life was like, and what life was like at the time you were growing up, going to college (if you went), starting work, etc. Your children, grandchildren, and beyond will be interested both in your life and in the way things were in the world in general. For example, in my childhood and early adulthood there were no cell phones nor even cordless phones, no video games—I remember what a novelty it was when PacMan came out, though I can’t recall the year—and of course no computers. When I started writing—at age six—and “graduated” from writing by hand, I used a Royal Standard (non-electric) typewriter.
What to write about? Start with your childhood, your parents, your friends, your favorite things to do, your pets. Talk about how the world was different then. Move on to your high school years, college (if you attended one), your first jobs (after-school jobs, any work you did during college, your first full-time job after you got out of school), what your childhood ambition was and how your ambitions changed as you grew up. Then your boyfriends/girlfriends, crushes, first serious romance, where and how you met the person you married (assuming you are or were married at some point), children, any divorces, and of course all meaningful events in your life. Awards, honors, career advancements, career changes
Add to that any particularly interesting vacations you’ve taken (such as to exotic or quirky places, to family reunions, to a luxury resort…).
What have your hobbies been over the years?
Talk about your extended family. Brothers/sisters, any close cousins, favorite aunts/uncles, grandparents, any other relatives. Do you have or have you had any special neighbors? Have you ever lived anyplace unusual—either the location or the dwelling itself? A haunted house? A converted barn?
Ever been onstage? On TV? Do you do karaoke?
Ever had an unusual vehicle? Or simply driven or ridden in one?
Ever been a witness to a historical event? Ever participated in a political demonstration or a demonstration for a cause?
What else has happened in your life that might interest your children, grandchildren, and beyond?
Start writing the story now, and add to it as you go along. Thanks to computers, it’s easy! Even if you’re only 33, get started. Yes, there’s still a lot of life ahead of you, but what are you waiting for? Get the early stuff down NOW.
Your story is waiting to be told.