For the last two decades I've taught hundreds of people how to write their personal histories. Too often I discover that a writer's memory of an experience is far more vivid and exciting than it appears on the written page. 【小题1】 If this strikes a chord with you, here are a few techniques I teach my students.

Write for your readers.

Whom are you writing for? 【小题2】 What do they need to know to understand how your life has been different than theirs? Let your readers see you in your day, in your setting, in your world. They'll know you better if they get a chance to walk in your shoes.

Be personal.

【小题3】 They may think they've created a personal account of their lives when they've actually written something that reads like, “I did this, then this, and then this...”. For example, if you write about having the lead in your college play, share what motivates you to try out for the part, how you felt when you were chosen, what affect that experience had on you, and more. 【小题4】 If it is just an impersonal chain of life events, nobody will like it.

Include plenty of details.

【小题5】 Say you're writing a story about getting married. Help your readers visualize that experience. Where were you? Were there any sounds in the background? Music playing? What were you and he/she wearing? What was said? Briefly re-create the conversation as you recall it.