When first sitting down to write a memoir you may have only a couple of events that really stand out, so that’s where you will logically begin.
Then what?
Here’s something to try to bring more of your stories to the surface. Take at least three sheets of 8.5 x 11 inch paper and tape them together so that you have a nice long horizontal sheet of paper. Now draw a line in the middle of the pages, from end to end. This is your time line. Starting at the left side, make a note of your birth and date/year. Now, working toward the right, place significant events on your time line, noting the event and the year. Don’t worry about details at this point, just the year and the event.
Most time line charts I’ve seen begin with the big life events and only later add in the smaller supporting events and cast of characters. Do whatever works best for you, as long as you have as much detail as possible. Over several days, continue to add details, since this activity will spark more memories.
The time line is a graphic representation of all the major events and significant people in your life. You may want to post it in your writing space as a visual outline, or keep it with your writing notebook. You could also get out coloured pencils or markers and use them to show links between events over the course of your life.
Looking at one’s life from the perspective of a time line is a fascinating first step in the memoir writing journey.
Give it a try and let me know what you think about the task in the comments.
