OUR GREATEST MOMENTS

For millions of Brits, lockdown has been a period of reflection. Whether that be flicking through old photos of our greatest moments or reminiscing our fondest memories with friends and family members. The tendency to reflect, combined with the search for new activities to pursue in lockdown has encouraged people across the nation to permanently document their own life stories. Research shows that nearly 1 million Brits have written their own books during lockdown, with many of us placing the spotlight on ourselves and penning our biographies.

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Although the process varies from person to person, it is a common misconception that reflecting on the past is a negative phenomena. In fact, feelings of happiness, comfort, gratitude and relaxation are commonly provoked when we take a trip down memory lane. Plus, with one survey finding that 90% of Brits acknowledge that they spend their time thinking fondly about the past, it may come as little surprise that nostalgia actually provides various benefits to our mental health.

However, it is understandable that taking the initial steps to start the process of big projects such as biography writing can feel overwhelming. In light of this, Rutger Bruining, the CEO of StoryTerrace, shares 5 of his top tips for anyone who is thinking of starting the process of documenting their own story:

1. Gather old photos to jog your memory

The longer you live, the more you have to remember, so you can be forgiven if some events are a little hazy. Before you even write a word, make it your mission to dig up as many photos from your life as you can — the older, the better. Ask friends and family for help, and just start putting them in order to the best of your ability. From there, you can take quick notes on the back (use a sticky note if you don’t want to alter an original photo). Try jotting down the 5Ws for each photo: who, what, when, where and why. This will refresh your memory and provide an incredible resource when you start writing.

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2. Break your life into personal eras

One of the reasons it can feel so difficult to begin a life story is that it is a big task. So make it smaller! To do this, think about breaking your life into eras — time periods that stand out. You may group them by where you lived or what job you had. You might also consider breaking your life into "chapters" by milestones: childhood, university, career, family, retirement, etc. If you’re having trouble, start by breaking things into decades: your 20s, 30s, and so on. List major events of each decade to get a better feel for how your life had its own eras, just like a history book. From there, you can focus on one era at a time to keep from feeling overwhelmed.

3. Find your theme

It’s also important to remember that you don’t have to cover every single thing that ever happened to you in your memoir. That’s way too much pressure, and it’s not at all necessary to create a compelling story. Instead, consider what the theme of your life might be overall — is there a particular message you want people to get from reading your book? A lesson you have learned? Choosing a theme will help you select anecdotes and events to focus on, which in turn will streamline your writing.

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4. Write a little bit each day

There’s no rule that says you have to sit down and write until the book is finished — in fact, that’s a recipe for disaster! It’s much better to go slow and steady so you can actually finish your memoir. Try carving out a specific writing time and place each day so you can build a strong habit. Just 30 minutes each day will add up over time, and you’ll have fleshed out a good deal of your book before you know it — no added stress required.

5. Tell someone about your project

As you build your new writing habit, it will help to find ways to keep yourself accountable so you don’t skip your writing sessions. The best way to do this is to tell a friend about your project. If you like, you can even ask them to check in with you about your progress, which will provide incentive for you to have something to show them. It can also be hugely helpful to discuss your memories and ideas with another person to help you shape the story. Which version of an anecdote works best? Feedback from someone you trust will encourage you to keep going.

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Rutger Bruining, CEO of biography writing service StoryTerrace, discusses the uptake in people documenting their life stories:

"Many people who come to us at StoryTerrace express that although they want to document their life story, beginning the process feels daunting to them. It can be difficult to remember everything we wish to include in our narratives - especially as we get older! If you are considering starting the process, my first piece of advice would be to start small. If you're writing a book or a bigger project, try not to think of it as a singular task, but a series of smaller parts which add up to make a whole.

Writing your personal biography can be one of the most satisfying projects you ever embark on. Research has even shown that it can provide strong mental health benefits, which has become especially important during lockdown. The process of writing your memoirs can help you gain perspective on past events, relive wonderful memories and even rekindle relationships with people you’ve drifted away from over the years.”

StoryTerrace

If you would like some help, ask StoryTerrace who will turn your life into a book. The company takes care of the whole process - matching clients with one of their 600 professional writers, interviews, photo gathering, editing, design and printing. Books are on average 100 pages long, meaning that everyone can have their life story - or the life stories of their loved ones - documented in a professionally curated autobiography, biography, or series of memoirs.

If you’d like to learn more about StoryTerrace…