WRITE YOUR MEMOIRS

The scariest moment is just before you start. After that, things can only get better. STEPHEN KING

You may have many reasons for not writing. You need to work. You have businesses to take care of. Perhaps you travel a lot. Or you have children and pets who need constant attention.

Then of course there are other obstacles. We've all been guilty of procrastination at one time or another. Days after we're supposed to have done what we had planned to do, we wake up and remember ... we haven't done it yet!

Or you have no time to write.

You have no idea where to start, how to start, what to write.

Ask yourself: Is writing my personal story important?

How important is your story to you? Only YOU can answer this question truthfully, sincerely. If it is impotant, you'll be willing to put in a lot of time and effort into your project.

This is how you find the time:

• Go to bed 30 minutes later.
• Get up 30 minutes earlier.
• Watch less TV.
• Tell everyone who has claims on your time you'll not be available 24/7.
• Delegate duties/chores.

Set a target:

Write a certain number of words every day. Don't be too ambitious. You can start with 250 words per day and slowly increase the number. Or write for 30 minutes every day. Writing just 250 words per day will add up to 1750 words per week. Or 90,000 words a year!

You'll need tools:

Just like cooking or repairing your car or fixing a broken pipe, you'll need tools for writing. A child's exercise books and pencils are cheap, yet effective. You can carry them anywhere. Don't use loose sheets of paper. These are easy to misplace.

• A computer is good especially when you're editing and rewriting.
  
• You need a quiet corner. No distracting sounds from the TV and computer/video games.
• Get a good dictionary and a thesaurus.
  
• You MUST read memoirs and good contemporary fiction.
  

Practice makes perfect:

Trick yourself into writing.

• keep a journal
• compose letters or emails-- you don't have to mail them
• write letter-to-the-editor articles
• start a blog

Final word:

• start something and finish it
• set a personal deadline
• recruit a supportive reader who can provide feedbacks
• keep away from people who belittle your writing
• don't give up