Writing Your Life Story

[Lindsey Wells]

Fletcher, Ralph. (2007). How to write your life story.  New York: HarperCollins.

 

This book was purchased a few years ago for the LA department at my school following the back to school conference at McQueen High School. We had taken a class taught by Corbett that was based on this book as well as another from the same author. We enjoyed it so much that we instantly went back and asked to order a copy for each of us. I am disappointed in myself as I admit I have not even glanced at this book since it arrived in the mail. I came across it after our summer session and realized it was absolutely perfect for me and my topic of study.

In this book, Ralph Fletcher outlines how to write your life story using interviews with famous authors, examples from his own autobiography, as well as authentic writing from students of various ages. The book is a very short and fun-filled read. It could definitely be read in one sitting, but Fletcher challenges the reader to stop along the way and write using some of his techniques. It contains ideas to take back to the classroom like his famous map of your neighborhood, how to pick a title for your piece, and what different genres can be used. This is a book that students of all ages can benefit from as well as adult writers. As I read I pictured myself using it constantly this year in my class, but I also enjoyed many of his activities myself. It is an inspiring book as it breaks down many of the myths about writing an autobiography such as one must be famous to do so, or have an amazing life. It makes every ordinary person realize that they too have a story to tell and gives numerous effective tips for doing so.

Fletcher writes this book honestly and makes the writing process seem somewhat easy, therapeutic at times, and fun. He discusses writing about pain, and that perhaps you shouldn’t if you’re not ready. He mentions several times the liberty an author can take when writing about memories. He also gives several angles from which to start an autobiography from including, listing events in your life or holding objects from your past for inspiration such as a glove or doll. He says perhaps to just write about your teenage years, such as Jerry Spinelli did, or about people who influenced you. In a short amount of pages Fletcher is able to share a wealth of knowledge on writing from respected authors, numerous examples that will spur your emotions, and countless tips for beginning your own life story, which this book may very well inspire you to do.

 

Questions:

Do you enjoy reading about the lives of other people? Why do you think this topic is so popular?

 

Does anyone else have their students write an autobiography of any sort? And if so, what genres do they write in? My current assignments is in vignettes, but after reading this book, I am thinking of giving students the liberty to use a few different genres.    

[Lucy Elise Peters]

Lindsey,

 

Interesting perspective on your book.  I love reading about other people's lives, these are often related to food or knitting. (Habits are hard to break)  In my book, it talked about memoir writing and I do appreciate how people can write about food and how it influenced their perspective during a period of their lives.  For example, Julie/Julia is a great example, Julie Powell utilizes the modern medium of blogging to chronicle her journey through the book written by Julia Child.  For the screenplay and movie, Nora Ephron does an amazing job helpping us understand how their lives went on parallel paths, even ones we can all relate to. 

This year I have started a Journalling project to teach the process of writng to my Culinary students.  We started to use the journals today to analyze recipes.  Next we may reflect on the recipe after we make it.  The whole project hopefully will end up as a cookbook with original recipes written by students and entries that chronicle our year.  I hope it inspires some of my students to enter the food writing world which is growing all the time.  Maybe we will write about family traditions more at the holiday time.  Those would be interesting to include too.  Thank for the inspiration.  --Lucy 

[Marnie Smith]

Lindsey,

I read this book when I was getting my Master's. I agree with you that it helps people to realize their own "story". I started writing some memories for my children to have... after I am gone. And to answer your questions... I do enjoy reading, hearing and discussing others' lives. I think it is popular because it stirs memories of our own. At least, that is my reason for enjoying it. I don't really do much of an "autobiography", mainly because of the limited lifespan of my young students but I do have them recall one event that is particularly meaningful and they make a picture book of that event.

[Laurel Topken]

Lindsey,

I love reading about the lives of other people.  I find myself pulled to the stories of those lives worse than mine and from other countries.  I think that this is popular because it helps us see ourselves differently (our similarities, our differences, our strengths, and our weaknesses).

 

I have my students write descriptive narratives in which I ask them to write about a true event they experienced.  This seems to help them with both the narrative and description.  I have also had them write autobiographically in memoirs and their argument papers.  It really could be used for so many genres.  

 

This next summer I am hoping to teach a life writing class at the college; would this book make a good textbook for this type of class?

 

Laurel

 

[Lindsey Wells]

I think it would be a great supplemental read. It is very short, about 100 pages and a real easy read, but has numerous tip and exercises. Like the map of your neighborhood that we did, you can write so many  stories from that exercise alone.  I think I saw it at Amazon for $4 even!

  

Lindsey

Laurel Topken said:

Lindsey,

I love reading about the lives of other people.  I find myself pulled to the stories of those lives worse than mine and from other countries.  I think that this is popular because it helps us see ourselves differently (our similarities, our differences, our strengths, and our weaknesses).

 

I have my students write descriptive narratives in which I ask them to write about a true event they experienced.  This seems to help them with both the narrative and description.  I have also had them write autobiographically in memoirs and their argument papers.  It really could be used for so many genres.  

 

This next summer I am hoping to teach a life writing class at the college; would this book make a good textbook for this type of class?

 

Laurel

 

[Michelle Peirce]

I think that people like to read about others lives because we can relate to eachother's personal journeys, joys, triumphs, struggles and heartaches. Some of my favorite autobiographies are written by authors themselves. The Girl from Yamhill and Little Women are among my favorites.
As for different options, how about creating a website? Several author's have put their own creative spin on their autobiographies in this way. Dav Plikey is an all time favorite because his is true to form depicted in a comic book/ graphic book style.