WRITING YOUR LIFE STORY - Some Common Obstacles and How to Overcome Them

Written by Carol M. Upton


"Whenrepparttar storyteller tellsrepparttar 110625 truth, she reminds us that human beings are more alike than unalike... A story is what it's like to be a human being - to be knocked down and to miraculously arise. Each one of us has arisen, awakened."

- Maya Angelou

Many people who consult with me regarding their family histories are also adamant that they want to dorepparttar 110626 work themselves. I encourage that. Who knows your personal stories better than you do? Producing life story legacies through books or videos is a priceless gift that brings families together and enhances lives for generations to come. Let 2005 berepparttar 110627 year that you start to weaverepparttar 110628 tapestry of your family's life in words and photographs!

Don't get bogged down with difficulties that prevent you from moving forward with your stories. Here are three ofrepparttar 110629 most common life story writing challenges and some easy solutions for them:

"I can't seem to keep writing."

Consult a personal historian for a list of story-starters or a coaching session, so that you can get excited about your project all over again. Find a writing group to join or start one of your own that is devoted to life story writing and willing to meet at least every two weeks. Read some good books onrepparttar 110630 subject - "Writing The Memoir" by Judith Barrington is particularly helpful and includes a section on forming a group. Join an ongoing e-course to keep you motivated - Recollections offers one or you can research others onrepparttar 110631 Internet.

Just Because The Phone Rings...

Written by David Leonhardt


Just Because The Phone Rings... By David Leonhardt

Brrrrrringgg. The telephone rang.

It was as predictable as Niagara Falls. We had just sat down to a piping hot dinner, so of courserepparttar telephone would ring. My wife reminded me that just becauserepparttar 110624 phone rings, doesn't mean we have to answer it, but...

"Hello," I answered.

"Good evening, sir. I am calling to let you know about a fantabulous new insurance program that will protect you, your family and everyone you ever meet from warts," The Voice declared. "Isn't this an exciting time to be spending on this planet?"

"Are you trying to sell something?" I asked suspiciously, knowing thatrepparttar 110625 answer would be...

"Not at all, sir," The Voice assured me. "I am just calling to let you know that you can now be protected against warts for much less than you would think."

He greatly overestimated my fascination withrepparttar 110626 actuarial aspects of living wartlessly. "And you are not trying to sell me anything?" I asked hopefully.

"Of course not," The Voice repeated. "I am calling to protect your entire family from warts forever."

"My grandmother is already protected against warts forever," I mused out loud.

Complete silence. "How did she do that?" The Voice asked with subdued awe.

"She died," I replied. "She's been protected for forty years, now. We suspect that she will remain protected forever."

"Uh. I see," The Voice replied. "You, too, can be protected against warts..."

"You want me to die?" I asked.

"No..."

"Honey, this telemarketer is threatening me," I called out intorepparttar 110627 kitchen.

"Well get back here, then," my wife responded. "Your dinner is getting cold."

"Now look here," The Voice began.

"Now see what you've done," I scolded intorepparttar 110628 telephone. "You've upset my wife. You could at least have waited until after dinner to threaten me."

My wife called out again. "Why do you have to answerrepparttar 110629 phone during dinner? Just because it rings doesn't mean you have to answer it."

I shouted back. "It would be rude not to answer. The Voice took time out of his busy schedule to warn us about warts –repparttar 110630 least we can do is takerepparttar 110631 time to thank him. Now," I said intorepparttar 110632 phone. "About those threats."

"See here, I did not threaten you," The Voice tried to explain. " I am simply trying to help you get rid of your warts."

Cont'd on page 2 ==>
 
ImproveHomeLife.com © 2005
Terms of Use