A Simple Way to Write an Autobiography: Saturday Writing Essentials; Theme: Describing

I suppose you may have thought of writing an autobiography of someone like you or Mr. Hyde. However, maybe a few silent curses made you sad and/or mad when you saw the academic criteria an autobiography requires. Literally too much work. I have a simple plan that uses your own words.

Please get comfortable before I proceed. I do suggest a nice cup of hot tea with raw honey, so I can describe how to write about you and things stunning. There are only three things you need to know and the first is called ‘Episode.’

So, let’s write down episodes of importance about your life. These episodes are your titles you can add or subtract from as you like. Under each Episode, list the characters involved. This forms interactions to let your story evolve.

The next step is rather easy. Put your Episodes in a chronology that makes sense. Now you’re ready to write one Episode and relive that time again. Feel the moments of interactions and just write. You might get some ideas not fitting in, so quickly jot them down on a pad. Making lists is too time consuming. An autobiography is about feeling life interactions and sharing.

I would be remiss to not give caution about what you say about others, or being a bit too truthful that might make neighbors put up Home For Sale signs after you publish. Your editor might think a few things should be left unsaid. She might think it nefarious, while you think it quite rad.

My editor strongly disapproved of one chapter. I replied that irregularity an interesting subject matter and thought my bean eating tale hilarious. Her ire I felt as she said, ’What you did on Prom night was the most awful thing my nose has smelled.’

I admit I felt an electric surprise as I said, ‘Debby, is that you?’ She nodded her head and then smiled. We both had put this behind us and in good spirits we got down to business. I got upset with her suggestion and the beans kicked in. I made a long trumpet sound. She threw me out of her office. She stamped denied on my autobiography I want to publish.

The Moral: Be careful who sees what you write.