Breathe Life Into Your Life Story

Book excerpt: Not everyone is a movie star or has parents who spied for the French Resistance. But everyone can learn to create a memorable life story. Take, for instance, this example from a popular memoir: "With a high gloss on his city shoes, in his crisp white barber's smock, Uncle Lewis cracked with the railroad men as he presided in front of a long wall of mirrors lined with pomades, tonics, and scents." By using interesting details, the author has painted a vivid picture with words that sparkle. How does one move beyond names and dates to tell a story that keeps readers hooked to the final pages? How much literary license can one take? These are the questions addressed by the Thurstons, with examples from famous authors and through their own entertaining and informative prose. This is an invaluable guide for both beginners and experienced writers, showing how to preserve memories and bring them to life for future generations.