Other Original Ways of Representing Your Life

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Other Original Ways of Representing Your Life

In the Internet era we tell our life stories in so many different ways: through Facebook status entries, tweets, blogs and personal web pages. All these can be added to your autobiography as a snapshot of what you were doing at the time; how you were feeling and what was happening in the world around you.

However, there are many more ways than words to communicate your life story, or that of your ancestors. If you are into family history, you may have come across story quilts. Here is an example.

These particular quilts are from a project named “Stitching the Stories 2000.” The back of the card reads, “Two quilted wallhangings depicting women’s experience of paid home based work. Highlighted is the impact of work related issues on these workers and their families. The hangings were made by women from mainly Vietnamese and Spanish speaking communities.”

You may have family treasures such as these you can photograph and add to your family history. Any paintings, art or crafts of any kind can be placed in with your genealogical information to give that person life and a chance to “speak” in their own words.

Family stories and autobiographies don’t have to be serious, wordy books. Fiction author Mary Wesley published a beautiful coffee table book which was autobiographical. Mary’s novels are based around Cornwall where she grew up.

This book places together stunning two page colour photos of the scenery in the area, with very short pieces of writing about her life. If you don’t want to write pages and pages, but just want to get the essence across, this is an inspirational idea. It produces an easy to read, personal treasure.

Brainstorm some ideas on alternative approaches you can take to your family history or autobiography to make it original, colourful and attractive to read. Think outside the ordinary and make it representational of who you are, or a theme that has run through your family, if there happens to be one. I’d love to hear your ideas. Please post them in the comments.

This post is an excerpt from the Write Your Life Story E-Course. For more information on the course, please click on the E-Courses link above, or visit http://www.virtual-desk.com.au/trainer.html

The Story Quilt artists are Elaine Gardner, Lynn Elzinga-Henry, Cindy South Czabania and the design is by Yvonne Nowland. The card is published by the Working Women’s Centre South Australia Incorporated.

This article is Copyright Cate Russell-Cole 2012. It may only be reproduced, with my permission, for non commercial purposes only. My name and Copyright must remain intact. For permission, please email me at: cate@virtual-desk.com.au