Joe Montana of the 49ers and Dan Marino of the Miami Dolphins were the stars of the upcoming game. I’ve bookmarked, printed out for my workbook and shared around. I’ve been trying to write my memoirs for years, and always end up stymied for various reasons – usually wanting to protect the names of the not-so-innocent, I guess. Glynis, you do write great biographical posts. What kind of robbery was it? Describe where you were and what you were doing when you learned the news. Memoir Prompt – Describe how you stayed in touch with your loved ones before you got a cellphone and/or email. You might want to check her out. Subscribe to our newsletter to receive regular updates. Especially one that is well written and a captivating true story. If you could have dinner with three people in the whole entire world, who would they be? There are a variety of formats you can use. Find out and write about the story. I saved this page for writing prompts. Here’s to the power of transformative thought. Which car do you think was the most “you”? Memoir Prompt – Tell about major storms you and your family have survived. Then tell us which prompt you chose and share up to 250 words of your writing in the comments section below. Or perhaps you just like to write based on what is on your mind or a particular memory that came to you recently. Tell the story. You are a prompt queen, Jeri! Memoir Prompt – Make a list of your favorite stuffed animals, starting from when you were child up to the present. She went tot the closet and brought in about 10 of my grandfather’s cigar boxes. I’m personally not interested in writing about my own life, but will pass on to my memoir writer friends. I think our memories would be shockingly different. We’ve hand-picked 65 of our favourite memory prompts to share with you. What life lesson would you share? . Click here for more 38 more memoir ideas. I read it several times during the process and over and over again I was struck by the importance of how & what one person remembers, the individuality of memory. Then tell us which prompt you chose and share up to 250 words of your writing in the comments section below. Have you lost any over the years that you still miss? I think her doubt gives credibility. Memoir Prompt – Write about the places you have lived. Writing a Memoir . If so, what is it? LOL! Did you learn something valuable? They will take you through a year’s worth of memoir writing if you do one a week. (religion, politics, family, etc.). Admit it. I generally think I don’t remember that much about my early years but when I read through these prompts I come up with things that I probably didn’t remember I remembered, if that makes any sense. How did your physical appearance change in your teenage years? Advertisement: Memoir Ideas - Next Steps. Were you influenced by your parents? You could write a memoir about your 50-year project…. Writing a memoir means you’re author and subject, researcher and storyteller, narrator and audience. #17: What did you learn about yourself in high school? Get more memoir prompts. What was the most interesting bit of “swag” you were given by a hopeful vendor? We grew up in the same family 5 years apart between the oldest (moi) and the youngest with the same parents. E.g. Board games, video games, card games, any kind of game at all. Much more interesting to read about, for instance, what happened when the world was at the brink of disaster that the writer was involved in solving. Memoir Prompt – Make a list of the electronic devices you’ve owned, from car phones to cell phones, from personal digital assistants to tablets to ebook readers, and so on. Write about the experience of seeing people you once knew well but haven’t talked to in years. #27: Which one of your parents are you most like? Do you talk to them more now, or less? Memoir Prompt – Catalog your souvenirs and mementos. 2. Thinking about your writing strategy just may help to sharpen your approach to writing. It’s about the size of a baseball and has a nice heft. Thank-you for the comprehensive list. Reflect on things you have done and events that have happened in your lifetime. Matilda Butler and 14 other authors share their stories of being an authorpreneur, [Essential] Memoir Writing Workshop: 21 Lessons, [Essential] Memoir Writing Workshop – LESSON 1, Writing Alchemy Products, Gift Baskets, Kits & Coaching, Fabric: Pillows, Thai Silk Journals & Thai Silk Bookmarks. 8. I had to work my way down a bit before I got to a question I’d actually be willing to answer – who gave me my first kiss. Join our online course on memoir writing. Did you have to repair or rebuild any part of it? Tim, prompts like this definitely come in handy. Were you an early adopter or a laggardly holdout? A strategy involves considering intended as well as unintended outcomes. Not sure I would write one, but the prompts would be a fun exercise. Not what happened to them at school. They’re known as the receiving team. #39: What could be better about your life? For the sake of brevity, I’ll just give you an overview of this writing technique, but if you’re interested in mastering the ability to pull readers in, you can check out this detailed explanation . How to Start Off a Memoir: Everyone’s Story Is Different. Memoir Prompt – Make a list of the games you played as a child, as a teenager, and (if you’re like me) as an adult. Thanks for the idea. What holiday traditions did you create on your own (even if by accident)? (By the way, Joe Montana did the coin toss this year. That’s a lot to ask of any writer, though a good way to begin the challenge of writing a memoir is to start a list of the most memorable events of your life. The composition is all wrong. Do you want to write for healing? Or perhaps you would rather pick and choose the ones you find most appealing. .”. Memoir Prompt – Make a list of the pets you’ve had in your life, both as a child and as an adult. Captains sometimes take this option if they believe that weather will be a factor in the outcome of the game. Memoir Prompt – What is your favorite, “go to” cooking recipe? Then choose one of those areas of expertise and write for fifteen minutes about what you’ve learned about that expertise. Did you find yourself falling back into your old role from that time period? How has that tradition changed over the years? It will allow you to use your strategy to achieve your writing goal. #14: What do you wish you would have learned more about in school? Write the first memory that comes to mind about each pet. How did they influence your life? That must say something really strange about me:). Pamela, thank you for sharing the anecdote of your grandmother’s “memoir” cigar boxes. A guy/girl you liked? #18: What was the first moment you felt truly grown up or independent? Milk? Do you have any special memories (good or bad) from each house you lived in? I have often thought how I wished I had asked my parents more questions about their lives – Both were born in Holland – Dad in 1907 and Mom in 1909. Focus on appealing to all five senses. "... a rich collection of inspiring stories" ~Amber Lea Starfire, author of NOT THE MOTHER I REMEMBER: A MEMOIR. Memoir Prompt – Write about your religious tradition (or lack of religious tradition) growing up. Memoir Prompt – Collect/scan old photos to create a visual record of your hair styles throughout your life. If you have pictures, include them. What kind of water bed mattress(es) did you have (and how did your cats like them)? Well, I only turned it on in the five minutes before the half-time show and stayed tuned until the third quarter started. Which souvenirs do you still have? Describe your experiences and emotions as you learned the process of the trial, heard testimony, and deliberated on the verdict. Memoir Prompt – Write a recollection about a friendship you had at some point in your life. Memoir Prompt – Were you ever in a contest or competition? Ah well, anyway I’m a big fan of questions not only for writing but for personal growth exercises. As I’m revising, I find my personal take on the time I spent working in national parks is much different than the younger version who wrote it It would be fascinating to see how your memoir would compare to that of your two sisters. Describe what you first thought and how you felt. Jeri, I love reading memoirs. Memoir Prompt – Answer the following: Do you have a mentor? Types of Memoirs A memoir doesn’t have to be a book. #29: Has education played an important role in your life? 7. Wish I had seen this post then. Did you win or lose? She’s not even looking at the camera, and you have an odd expression on your face. How has your bill paying evolved over the years? It’s on the Memoir Starter Kit page. . These are great prompts and for someone like myself, who insists her brain is a sieve and retains little to no memories of anything, they’ll be a lifeline for bringing those memories forth. Memoir Prompt – Record the history of items you consider to be family heirlooms. Great post… Sending all my best wishes. Every now and then she questions her own recollections. If memory serves, we bought the other boys pennants for their rooms. Meredith, prompts really are great conversation starters whether the dialogue be with the self on the page or with others when striking up a conversation. #4: What is your happiest childhood memory? I have such a tough time coming up with post topics sometimes so this will come in handy, thanks! Great list. A strategy involves many steps. Or perhaps you would rather pick and choose the ones you find most appealing. Once can never have too many resources for idea generation…, The cool thing about Sue’s prompts is that they are emailed to you for three weeks, I think, and each is designed to take only 5 to 10 minutes or so to complete. Sometimes the best memoir comes out of the most simple, everyday topics. These are great prompts. Each story highlights a facet of life that speaks to our shared humanity." Write about it. If so, let that strategy be your driving force. Aquileana ?? If writing is a new activity for you, you might become more comfortable if you don't think about writing your memoir. Behold! Memoir Prompt – Write about the your high school/college graduation. If you have pictures, include them. Alan Cumming’s memoir went back and forth and time and the episodes of abuse he recalled from his father did indeed shed light on many of the life choices he ended up making. [PDF Download] 65 Memory Prompts: How to Write Your Biography, Life Story or Memoir, Our writers transform your stories into beautiful hardbound books. A strategy involves looking multiple steps out from where you are now. Make a note of who gave you which ones, if you remember, or how they came into your life. #11: What was your favorite subject in school? 1. What a great list of prompts Jeri! This type of writing refers to important and significant moments. The focus on the early strategy and what that may mean later in the game made me think about how important strategy is in all that we do–including memoir writing. Memoir Prompt – What do you enjoy about your life? Is there a specific birthday that stands out in your memory? My own recollections never lined up with his and he painted his own father as a much nicer and more loving person than I knew him to be. Aside from my blog, I don’t write memoirs, but this list is something to have on hand for when I do get a brain fart. Receive your FREE writing tips ($5.45 value) Thanks for sharing these prompts Jeri. Sights, scents, and stories behind treasured family recipes with sweet and savory memories. Memoir Prompt – Describe the biggest and/or most important project you worked on for an employer. Memory is complex and changeable; every family member will remember a story differently. The referee, swinging his leg in a kicking motion, then points to the other team’s captains as the kicking team. 9. Or maybe it was just a raffle or a door prize. Do you know how your grandparents met? Such a smart thing to have because obviously it would greatly expedite the writing of memoirs. Writing Prompts. Were you swayed by the evidence? Memoir Prompt – Has any one in your family suffered from a chronic illness? Memoir Prompt – Write about the things that you enjoy most and are most passionate about. Want to write a memoir but not sure how to get started? It’s amazing how any things can be used as triggers for helping us tell our stories. Have you ever been *really* lucky? Wow – this is an awesome list, I had tons of ideas just reading through it! Srsly. And isn’t that what it’s all about?! Even then, my fiction draws heavily from true life experience, so in a way maybe I should just commit and take the nonfiction plunge all the way as that is where I feel most in my element. (In My Father’s Bakery by Marvin Korman). Name a big success story for you during this time. Describe the situation and how you felt the first time you saw them. Memoir Prompt – Describe what your typical day as a child was like. I’m working on something right now that deals with remembering a series of events. #15: What schoolmate had the most impact on your life? If you use a thesis statement like the one above, the body of your memoir … Joe Bunting is an author and the leader of The Write Practice community. "...outstanding collection of memoirs." I just wish I had more time to write and do write another book. Now that my parents are gone, I only wished I knew the answers to half of those questions. 2. Susan, I can definitely see how this list might come in handy with all of your weekly podcasts. . How did you come across these items and why are they meaningful to you? Why or why not? Ready to write a book about your life? Must not have made a big impression, huh? Sign up now, it's simple. Memoir Prompt – Do you have any friends you’ve known since elementary school? Include automatic bank account debits and checks you write and stuff into envelopes. As always, aim to show rather than tell. How many movies that you watched on first release have been remade or rebooted? Memoir Prompt – Have you ever run for public office? What kind(s) of water bed pedestals/frames? #38: What is great about your life right now? These prompts first appeared in The Journal Newsletter. 3. 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