Prologue

The prologue to your memoirs should give a high level overview of who you are and how you view your own story. You should write and speak in this chapter as though you were speaking to a loved one. More often than not you are!

• .Is there a significant piece of your family history that is oft discussed and held proudly by your family?

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Chapter 1 (Childhood) (Ages 1- 5)

Chapter 1 should explore your earliest memories.

• What's your happiest memory from your childhood?

• What do you remember most about your parents?

• Where did you hang out as a kid? What memories do you associate with that spot?

• What is your favorite memory in your childhood home?

• What were the kids in your neighborhood like?

• What do you remember most about your childhood? 

• Did you spend summers in a place other than your hometown? What were they like?

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Chapter 2 (Childhood - Early Teenage Years) (Ages 5-14)

Chapter 2 should explore your transition from a child to a teenager. The most important people at this stage of our lives are often our childhood friends and our family. 

• How did you pass the time as a kid? Any particular hobbies or things you liked to do?

• What was your favorite part about elementary school?

• Did you do any significant travel as a kid? Any good memories?

• What was your favorite show growing up?

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Chapter 3 (Teenage Years) (Ages 14-18)

Chapter 3 should explore your teenage years.

• What's your favorite memory from highschool?

• Did you play any sports in highschool? What good memories do you associate with them?

• Were you a member of any clubs in highschool? What were they? What do you remember most about them?

• Who were your closest friends in highschool? What good times did you guys have?

• Who was the most popular musician when you were in highschool? Did you like them?

• What sports did you play?

• What trouble did you get into with your friends?

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Chapter 4 (Early Adulthood) (Ages 18-23)

Chapter 4 should explore your transition into being a young adult.

• Who were your closest friends in college?

• Did you have a college sweetheart? What do you remember about them?

• What was your first real job? 

• Whats the weirdest job you've worked?

• Whats the best job you've worked?

• What's your favorite memory from college?

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Chapter 5 (Your 20s) (Ages 23-29)

Chapter 5 should explore your late 20s.

• How did you and your spouse / partner meet?

• What did you love most about your spouse when you met?

• What was your first job? Was it fulfilling?

• What were your 20s like overall?

• What was it like getting your career going?

• Did you meet your spouse in this stage of your life?

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Chapter 6 (Your 30s) (Ages 30-39)

Chapter 6 should explore your 30s.

• How did you propose (or get proposed to)?

• What was your wedding like? When and where was it, and what did you wear? How did you feel seeing your future spouse on that day?

• Where did you go on your honeymoon if you went somewhere?

• Do you have any kids? What has it been like raising them?

• How did you choose the names of your kids?

• Did you have kids?

• What was your career like at this stage?

• How was your experience starting a family?

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Chapter 7 (Your 40s) (Ages 40-49)

Chapter 7 should explore your 40s.

• When did your kids start school? How did it feel watching them step into life?

• How have your 40s been?

• Where was your career at in your 40s? Did it develop significantly since then?

• Did you have  a serious career change?

• How close was your family at this stage?

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Chapter 8 (Your 50s) (Ages 50-59)

Chapter 8 should explore your 50s.

• What has it been like watching your kids grow up?

• Have you attended any family reunions? What are they like?

• Was your career fully established in your 50s? Were there any goals you have since completed since then?

• What was it like looking towards retirement?

• Did you have trouble seeing your kids transition into adults?

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Chapter 9 (Retirement) (Ages 60+)

Chapter 9 should explore your retirement.

• Have you retired yet? If yes, how is it treating you?

• What are the most important lessons you have learned in your life? 

• What are the golden years like, if you're there?

• How has the world changed as you've gotten older?

• What was it like like transitioning into your retirement?

• Did you struggle with this stage?

• Do you have any Grandchildren?

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Conclusion

Your conclusion should be a reflection on your life and a review of the broad strokes.

• What are you proud of in your life?

• How do you feel looking back on your life?

• If you had to sum up your personal philosophy on life, what would it be?

• How do you want people to remember you?