Mary BorgReseñas

This book is a very organized and helpful resource for writing about your life in order to leave a document full of memories and family stories that your children, grandchildren and all those that come after will love. Helping to know where to start, breaking it down in manageable chapters, this book takes the daunting task of remembering, compiling and writing your life and makes it possible. Easy to read, the book provides information on all aspects of memories and offers ideas the reader (and writer) may not think of when compiling family history. It does not shy away from the suggesting the reader include the dark side of memories as they, too, are a part of family history. I would recommend this book for anyone that wants to compile and write their story but does not know where to start.

Ms. Borg provides a comprehensive, clean and easy to follow set of guidelines for writing your own story. Her book takes you very systematically through the process and includes an abundance of useful examples as well as lists of resources. Truly, if you have any desire to write your own life story, this is the book you need to get you started.

A good resource specifically designed for seniors. The exercises are solid and should both assist and inspire age-appropriate readers to begin collecting their memories and getting them on paper.

The two biggest bonuses to the book for me were:
1- all the sample writings from Ms. Borg's students. They are terrific illustrations of not just what to write, but how to adapt a particular writing prompt for personal use.
2- the recommended reading list is fantastic. I've read many of the books listed throughout the text, and they are all excellent examples of the techniques and prompts that Ms. Borg explains.

I'll be buying this book for gifts for family members who have expressed an interest in writing their lives.½

This is a wonderful guide for anyone thinking about writing their own autobiography. It approaches this endeavor from so many different directions that you can chose from many different strategies to work your way into making a start. There is a section on researching ancestors, writing a timeline consisting of what was going on in the world at various points in your life. It allows you to be as personal and intimate or as objective as you want to be. Mary Borg has 25 years of experience teaching these strategies in her adult ed classes and has included many, many examples of her students responses to various prompts. It is a ver hands-on and encouraging book for anyone who is thinking of writing about their experiences. Highly recommended.

If I'm not able to write my life story after reading this book, it will be nobody's fault but my own. I think anyone considering writing an autobiography should own this book. It seems to include everything.

There are questions to ask yourself to help jog your memory, tips for writing, short passages as examples from other autobiographies, how to put it all together, and even information on printing and publishing. I haven't started writing yet, but when I do, I think I will find this book to be essential to get me from start to finish.

I never imagined myself writing an autobiography. And unless it’s written by a noteworthy author, I generally don’t even like reading contemporary memoirs. Elizabeth Gilbert’s "Eat, Pray, Love" was trite and pretentious. And my scathing review of Jeannette Walls’ "The Glass Castle", prompted a personal response from Jeannette in which she said, “so what if parts of it aren’t exactly true... it helped a lot of people.” And what is the cliche about that what’s-his-name Frey book? "A Million Little Pieces" turned out to be a million little lies.

"Writing Your Life" is not about writing a get-rich-quick sensationalized drama based on something that might have really happened in your life. It is an aid to help adults document their life with the hope of eventually handing a manuscript down to younger members of their family as you would a family scrap book or photo album. So I am urging anyone who ever thought about documenting their entire life or writing a memoir to read "Writing Your Life". Mary Borg began teaching a writing class for senior adults twenty-three years ago. This book is a culmination of her experience.

The book is broken down into chapters covering ancestors, early years, teen years, school days, and adult life. Mary Borg also advises it is not necessary to write chronologically. She suggests using a topical approach, or simply documenting the highs and lows of your life, or writing about the most memorable days of your life.

She gives tips on getting started, staying motivated, researching facts on given years, websites to research genealogy, keeping everything organized, rewriting and editing, and printing. Included are techniques to jog your memory, and hundreds of questions to ask yourself. Amusing things like,”who taught you how to tie your shoes?” (Pg. 47) and “what is the quirkiest aspect of the home in which you raised your family? (Pg. 94). And introspective things like, “What are five things you’ve done that no one would look at you and imagine you’ve done?” (Pg. 111) and “In what period of your life were you most content, happy, and at peace with yourself and your surroundings?” (Pg. 144)

The book is loaded with samples of other people’s writing, quotes from famous people, and reading suggestions that will enhance the writing experience. "Writing You Life" is quite inspirational. I am not sure of ever succeeding in writing my autobiography but I’ve already made a list of friends who would appreciate receiving this book as a gift.

This is a perfect book for anyone who has ever thought of writing their own life story. The author gives some great writing exercises to help jog your memory on things you may have forgotten.
Mary Borg gives great advice when she says " The important thing is to let go of the notion of perfection and get the words down on paper". Her writing tips and reading suggestions through out the book are great also.
I have personally thought about writing my story and this will be a big help.½