Writing Your Legacy: The Step-by-Step Guide to Crafting Your Life Story Kindle Edition

A useful, motivating resource for anyone who wants to write a life story and particularly for those who feel trepidation, overwhelmed by the perceived size of the task, or just can't figure out where to begin. Among the full complement of memoir-writing tips offered here are clear, specific guidelines for getting past the internal roadblocks that prevent so many of us from starting and, once started, how to stick with it.The book is firmly rooted in the highly-regarded Guided Autobiography method, developed nearly 40 years ago by gerontologist Dr. James Birren to help people write the stories of their lives. Richard Campbell & Cheryl Svensson expand on Dr. Birren's method, sharing the accumulated insights they've gained through years of facilitating Guided Autobiography groups. A collection of ten life "legacy" themes (e.g., Forks in the Road, My Family, My LIfe's Work, From Secular to Spiritual, etc.) make up the heart of Dr. Birren's method and of Campbell & Svensson's book. Combined with accompanying probing questions, they provide writers with both a point of departure and a way to dig deeply into their pools of memory.The two-page rule is another core principle of Guided Autobiography. Writers set out to compose just two pages--approximately 1000 words--on each legacy theme. Suddenly the task of writing a life story becomes achievable, for it has been divided into ten manageable two-page chunks. It also becomes more interesting, for the themes and two-page rule encourage writers to relate stories abut "life moments" as opposed to an event-by-event life chronicle, guided by a timeline.So what have Campbell & Svensson added to Dr. Birren's highly-successful method? Plenty. After years of experience and insight gained through leading Guided Autobiography groups, they take their expertise beyond their classrooms to share it with a wider audience. Working from their deeply-held conviction that everyone is a survivor and has a valuable story to tell, they serve as encouraging companions, gently guiding the writer, one two-page step at a time."But I'm not a writer!" Yes you are. You have a story to tell. Campbell & Svensson offer a plethora of simple tips and activities to help you get the writing juices and memories flowing: silencing the internal critics; using the senses and details to immerse your readers in your story; using humor; finding your voice and the right tone; avoiding clichés, crutch words, and overuse of adverbs; interviewing family and friends to fill information gaps and learn other perspectives; how to deal with thorny issues; portraying others. I particularly like the chapter that discusses the challenges of writing a story in which the author is the principal character. If you find you need the motivation and accountability that comes with a writers' group, you will find suggestions on organizing a Legacy Writing Club in the Resources section of the book."I've written on the ten themes, but there is so much more to tell!" No problem! The book supplies you with 25 additional themes and guidelines for creating your own. You can write forever!"It's finished, now what do I do?" Great! Congratulations! There are chapters devoted to editing how-to's, organizing the content & adding final touches, and printing.While concise, this is a complete "step-by-step guide to crafting your life story" for it includes all the steps, from getting started to "uncorking the champagne". It's an excellent, practical addition to the ever-burgeoning body of memoir-writing manuals. As you consider writing your memoir you will most likely want to consult several guides; be sure this is one of them.

Everyone should tell his or her story. This is an enormous gift to loved ones who want to know more about us but do not know what questions to ask. Equally important, gathering our thoughts, reflecting on our lives, then writing about the experiences we have had, the choices we have made and what we have felt about them allows us to work through issues we may not even know we had. This is a powerful healing tool. If this makes sense, then this is the book to guide you. Based on the teachings of Dr. James E. Birren, renowned academic and founder of Guided Autobiography (GAB), 'Writing your Legacy' takes us on a step-by-step journey in autobiographical writing, providing helpful hints, explanations, examples and insights along the way. Co-author Dr. Cheryl Svensson, was a close colleague, friend and teaching partner of Dr. Birren, and has committed herself to carrying on his legacy, taking it beyond its original roots and enhancing it in both depth and substance. As a former student of Jim Birren myself, I am intimately familiar with both his and Dr. Svensson’s work on GAB. This book is well researched and remains true to the methodology, goals and content originally conceived and implemented. I cannot recommend it enough.

Writing my life to pass down to my children and grandchildren ( FAMILY)

I was trained as a Guided Autobiography instructor in 2013. Since then, I have facilitated numerous groups using this method in various settings, including: assisted living, continuing education at a university, and in a private work-sharing space. This book is based on the original method by Dr. James Birren, and it works! My experience has been that group members love this method so much that they don't want the initial ten week class to end, so the additional themes provided here (11-35, at the end of the book) are invaluable. I have one group that has been meeting monthly for over five years, and they have produced 5 books so far, with two more in production. This book helps you address your fears, provides solid skills, and gives you a plan. I appreciate that it focuses on writing from the heart and that group members encourage each other and provide support instead of criticism. I highly recommend this book to anyone who wants to write their own stories, or who wants to help others...you will learn so much and enjoy every minute!

An exquisite gift, a delicious offering, a MUST READ for every one of us who has ever had the thought to write even a few stories about our lives! Richard Campbell and Cheryl Svensson have written THE book you must have if you, your parents, or anyone you know, has ever ever wanted help with personal storytelling. This book does it all. Even if you write one thing — perhaps the legacy letter — you are offering a treasure most of us would cherish, some words from people who matter to us. They answer all the hesitations, doubts, concerns in a welcoming, warm, and mostly importantly, helpful, direct way. Instead of writing a tedious chronology that is hard to appreciate, they offer themes and prompts to get you going, and help of every sort to create something of meaning and value both to the writer and to the reader. Buy this book, TODAY! (I have no financial interest in this book. I am just a huge fan!) Give it as a present to everyone you know. What more meaningful way can you say to people you love, including yourself, that these stories are valuable. Bonnie Bernell, author of the award winning book, Bountiful Women.