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Life Story Links: April 7, 2026
Dawn Roode’s curated roundup for April 7, 2026, includes stories about writing life stories, giving shape to grief, and confronting the stuff of our memories.
“You cannot interview the dead.”
—John McPhee
Vintage postcard titled “A Wet Day in Wellington, Manners Street,” 1908, by Zak Joseph Zachariah; original public domain image from Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa.
Potpourri of memoir & life writing inspiration
CONFRONTING THE STUFF OF OUR MEMORIES
“Our memories are both hero and villain in our lives. They are malleable and fallible, but also demanding, arrogant and stuck in their ways. Memories haunt us and they can’t hide from us. And in this age of remembrance where every moment is destined to be documented, we are inescapable to ourselves.”
WRITING AS INTEGRATION TOOL
“Someone out there is waiting for your story to come and save them. I really believe that. Some people think we all have one soulmate—I don’t believe that, but I do believe we have mirrors to our story and that writing attracts them.” Lena Dunham on her new memoir.
WORDS FROM WRITERS
This week I’m sharing five quotes about memoir and life writing, all plucked from the pages of my commonplace books—hopefully they inspire you to write a little yourself!
GIVING SHAPE TO GRIEF
“The act of archiving turns into a process of care, a way of giving form to absence and making it visible” in photographer and visual artist Veronica Benedetti photography project, “Ofelia.”
MEMOIR SCANDALS
“As the memoir scandals show, questions of authenticity do not disappear just because they’re hard to detect and what is acceptable is debated.” Lincoln Michel on James Frey, Amy Griffin, Shy Girl, and LLM book reviews.
...and a few more links
Short takes
5 inspiring quotes about writing your life
Words from seasoned memoirists remind us that writing about our lives isn’t just an act of preservation—it’s an act of connection, reflection, and courage.
I’ve got more than one commonplace book filled with words from memoirists and other writers, and I thought I’d pluck a few quotes from those pages to share with you today—along with a few thoughts on why each quote resonates with me.
“To share our stories is not only a worthwhile endeavor for the storyteller, but for those who hear our stories and feel less alone because of it.” —Joyce Maynard
Writing about your life is not just for you—it’s for those who come after you. When we share our personal experiences, we offer future generations a bridge to understanding, a source of comfort, and a way to see that they are not alone in their struggles and triumphs.
Our stories contain lessons, wisdom, and emotions that others will recognize in themselves. By documenting our lives, we give others permission to embrace their own stories with courage and honesty. Your story is, indeed, a gift to your descendants.
“Recognizing that there are many truths in every situation, and that each one is emotionally complex and virtuous in the eyes of the person whose truth it is, I see memoir as a way to tell my truth, trusting it can rest alongside other truths without either claiming preeminence or offering apology.” —Carole E. Anderson, “What Is It About Memoir?”
One of the biggest fears people have when writing memoir is, “What if others remember things differently?” But memoir isn’t about an objective, single truth—it’s about your truth.
Your perspective is valid, and you have the right to tell your story. That said, it’s also important to approach personal history with respect for others who played a role in it. You don’t have to apologize for your truth, but you can acknowledge that others may see events differently.
Consider: Two siblings may remember the same childhood moment in entirely different ways. Both memories are real; both are true. Memoir allows those truths to coexist.
“Opening ourselves is where story begins. We write with open hands, and not with fists.” —Beth Kephart
Great storytelling requires vulnerability. When writing about our lives, it can be tempting to hold back, to protect ourselves from judgment or discomfort. But the most powerful stories invite the reader into real emotions, real struggles, and real discoveries.
If you only write about the polished, curated version of your life, the story won’t feel real. But if you allow yourself to be vulnerable, to tap into raw emotions, to reveal yourself in honest new ways, well, you create something that’s possibly universal, and always deeply meaningful.
“You will never regret writing a story down. You only regret the stories you don’t tell.” —Laura Stroud
Many people put off writing their stories, thinking “I’ll do it later”—but later is never guaranteed. The only regret most people have is not capturing their memories before they fade.
There’s no perfect time to start writing about your life. You don’t need to wait until you feel “ready” or until your story feels complete. The act of writing itself is what makes your story matter. Even if you never share your writing widely, your words will exist.—your memories, your reflections, your experiences preserved, rather than lost.
“At its best, writing memoir can lead to a clarity you’ve hungered for without even knowing it.” —Abigail Thomas
Memoir isn’t just about documenting the past—it’s about making sense of it. Writing helps us connect the dots, see patterns in our lives, and discover meaning in experiences we once took for granted.
Often, we don’t realize how much we’ve needed clarity until we start writing. The process of revisiting memories, reflecting on them, and putting them into words can help us understand ourselves in a new way—and even shape how we move forward.
These quotes remind us that writing our lives isn’t just an act of preservation—it’s an act of connection, reflection, and courage. Your story doesn’t have to be perfect, complete, or grand. It just has to be yours.
So, pick up the pen. Open a blank document. Speak your story aloud and record it. However you begin, just begin. As Laura Stroud teaches, you will never regret telling your story—you will only regret not telling it.
35 questions to prompt memories of your lost loved one
After losing someone you love, it can be hard to know where to begin. These 35 gentle, thoughtful questions help spark memories, stories, and meaningful conversations with family.
Gather your family around the living room with a box of old pictures and a laptop full of digital photos of the person who has died, arm yourself with this list of questions, and let the reminiscing process begin.
When gathering memories for stories to include in a legacy or tribute memory book, it can be helpful to have some prompts. The 35 questions that follow should provide fodder for writing, conversing, and sharing memories about your lost loved one.
Gather your family around the living room with a box of old pictures and a laptop full of digital photos of the person who has died, arm yourself with this list of questions, and let the reminiscing process begin.
Oh, and don’t feel self-conscious about using this list as a tool— at the most emotional times in our lives, such as losing someone we care about, any little thing that can help us along the path of grieving is a good thing.
Conversation starters that will provide stories for a tribute book
INTRODUCTORY QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DECEASED:
How would you describe the deceased?
What is your favorite memory of the deceased?
What did you call them—any nicknames or terms of endearment?
Did he or she have a pet name for you?
Is there a particular lesson learned from the deceased?
How long did you know the deceased?
QUESTIONS ABOUT THE DECEASED'S CHARACTER:
What do you think the deceased valued most in life?
What words would you use to describe his or her character?
How would you describe the deceased’s personality?
QUESTIONS THAT ELICIT MEMORIES ABOUT YOUR LOST LOVED ONE:
How did you meet?
What is a particular time you recall the deceased was especially joyful?
A time he or she was embarrassed?
What is your earliest memory of this person?
What was the deceased’s laugh like?
Was he or she chronically late or early?
Do you have any funny stories about times you spent together?
OPEN-ENDED QUESTIONS THAT ALLOW FOR STORYTELLING:
Do you remember any favorite stories about childhood that the deceased loved to tell?
Do your remember stories he or she would tell about:
military
college
getting married
becoming a parent
going to prom
learning how to drive
Did the deceased ever discuss big decisions they made that impacted his or her life?
Were there any major changes to the deceased’s life that affected them in big ways?
If you knew they could drop by and visit tomorrow, what would your ideal day spent together look like?
SEEMINGLY INSIGNIFICANT OR SILLY QUESTIONS THAT MAY SURPRISE WITH WHERE THEY LEAD CONVERSATIONALLY:
What was the deceased’s favorite color?
Favorite flower?
What type of music did the deceased listen to?
Was there a piece of clothing or something else the deceased wore that you found characteristic of them?
Did he or she have a signature saying?
QUESTIONS ABOUT HOW THE DECEASED IMPACTED YOUR LIFE:
How did the deceased impact your life?
How will you honor the deceased’s memory?
What do you wish you had said to them before they died?
How to get family started reminiscing about your lost loved one
Here are a few initial steps to using question prompts to help you record memories of a lost loved one:
Record your memories.
Use a mini audio recorder or the voice recorder app on your phone to capture the conversations about your loved one. Make sure everyone is seated close enough to be captured by the microphone.
Place a copy of the question sheet nearby so anyone can glance at it when they want.
Let conversation flow naturally.
Use the questions to prompt storytelling, but don’t rely on them like a school assignment. Rather, go with the natural course of conversation, allowing the group’s memories of your loved one to flow and meander as they will—it’s the memories themselves, not the answers to any questions, that you want to capture.
Keep in mind: This is just the beginning.
Realize that you will never get through all of these questions at once, and you are not meant to. Some of them may have no relevance to your experiences with the deceased, and one question may prompt an entire evening of reminiscence— that’s good.
BONUS TIP
It’s okay to be funny.
If your loved one was a vibrant and funny person in life, it stands to reason that tributes about them after their death should be infused with humor. It’s okay to step outside your grief and remember them with a smile, even a laugh. Happy memories provide comfort and help us heal, and will be a balm to the soul when you pull out this tribute book to visit with your lost loved one someday in the future.
Free download
Get a free, printable version of this guide, “After a Death: 35 Questions to Ask to Prompt Memories of a Lost Loved One.”
More free resources
Visit my Resources Toolkit to for more free downloads, including lists of questions to spark Thanksgiving and Christmas story sharing; a guide on how to use family photos as prompts for writing life stories; plus more tips for writing about your life in short vignettes.
Interested in turning your memories into an heirloom tribute book? That's what we do.
Modern Heirloom Books founder Dawn Roode looks through the tribute book she made in honor of her mother after her passing in 2009.
If you have recently lost a loved one, first: our condolences. Our founder, Dawn Roode, was inspired to start Modern Heirloom Books when creating a tribute book for her own mother was healing, and rewarding...we understand the feelings of loss. We truly believe that stories have the power to heal, and that remembering those we have lost helps keep their spirits alive in our hearts.
If you are considering memorializing your loved one's legacy in a book, give us a call. Dawn would love to discuss ways to honor their memory and preserve the stories of their life—for you, and for the next generation.
Contact us now at 917.922.7415 to see how we can work together to create a most meaningful heirloom.
This is a recreation of a popular post that was originally written and shared in 2018. That post was somehow lost during a transition to a new web server, so has been recreated and updated on March 26, 2026.
Life Story Links: March 24, 2026
Dawn Roode's curated roundup of recent articles about family history, personal history interviews, life story and memoir writing, and legacy preservation.
“Memories are made of peculiar stuff, elusive and yet compelling, powerful and fleet. You cannot trust your reminiscences, and yet there is no reality except the one we remember.”
—Klaus Mann
Vintage illustration of a little girl and her dog, published by J & P. Coats, Best Six Cord, 200 yds, 50 (1870–1900); original public domain image from Digital Commonwealth.
The origins of story
SAY MORE WITH LESS
“Blank pages and open-ended prompts like What’s your story? can be terrifying. Six words is both a prompt to break through the terror of the blank page and a tool to wrestle big ideas down to their essence.” Larry Smith on “Six Words Through the Ages.”
HOW TO SHAPE YOUR LEGACY
“Have you ever thought that your most valuable assets are intangible? Your legacy is more than the financial security you leave behind—it’s your life’s story.”
PIECES OF A BROADER STORY
“That’s the real power of local history. A photograph sparks a memory. A memory becomes a story. And a story helps a community remember who it is.” Plus, a little bit about the Frozen in Glass initiative in northeast Missouri that the first article is commenting on.
‘BERYL’S LAST YEAR’
“She took me back to Liverpool, the city of her birth, and we got lost trying to track down the ghosts of the past. She let me film her at her most vulnerable.” Filmmaker Charlie Russell on keeping his grandmother’s story alive for a new generation.
THE SEED: A SINGLE THROUGH LINE
“Once I started hearing back from readers about how something I’d written made them feel seen or helped them in some way, I was hooked. Memoir became my ministry."
Lives in print
ONE WRITER PORTRAYING ANOTHER
“I was encountering her as an important and influential American artist, one who generously granted me interviews and who had saved over a hundred boxes of her papers and correspondence, a biographer’s dream.” Judy Blume’s biographer interviews…himself.
JUDY BLUME: A LIFE AND THE PROBLEM OF BIOGRAPHY
“If a writer’s novels present the parts of her that she is willing to show, a biographer’s job is to recover what has been swept out of sight: those vivid, occasionally unsettling details that isolate and define her, and that risk placing her beyond the pale.”
LYRICIST TURNS MEMOIRIST
“The process started with 2 Chainz collecting stories from his life, sharing them with his co-writer, Derrick Harriell, and finding the common themes of trauma or celebration.”
Narrative in the age of AI
CONSENT, IDENTITY, AND MEMORY
“A recent patent granted to Meta Platforms proposes AI systems capable of keeping the accounts of deceased users active on social media, generating posts and responses that mimic their tone, humor and online behavior”—raising new ethical and emotional questions.
THE REAL DEAL, RIGHT NOW
“Two camps are forming among credentialed genealogists, and the split was visible in every conversation I had over three days.” A professional genealogist reflects on the use—and undeniable growth—of AI within the family history industry after attending RootsTech 2026.
Short takes
How will you be remembered?
Have you ever thought that your most valuable assets are intangible? Your legacy is more than the financial security you leave behind—it’s your life’s story.
What we leave behind can shape generations. Yet, too often, legacy is reduced to numbers on a balance sheet—monetary inheritances, real estate, investment accounts. While financial security matters, the most enduring legacies are often not the ones measured in currency but in character, wisdom, and love.
Has it ever occurred to you that your most valuable assets are intangible? Your family stories, the lessons you’ve learned, and the values you cherish—these will stand the test of time. Money can be spent, properties sold, but the stories and principles you pass down can continue shaping hearts and minds long after you’re gone.
The power of a story-driven legacy
Stories give meaning to life’s struggles.
Every family has its challenges, but within those challenges are lessons of resilience, perseverance, and hope. By sharing your experiences—your failures, triumphs, and the moments that changed you—you offer future generations a guidebook for navigating life’s uncertainties.
Values are best taught through stories.
It’s one thing to say “be honest” or “always work hard.” It’s another to share the story of a grandparent who upheld their integrity despite hardships or a personal moment when choosing the right path wasn’t the easy one. Stories turn abstract values into living, breathing lessons.
Family stories serve as a bridge between generations.
When children and grandchildren hear about their ancestors—their struggles, dreams, and sacrifices—they feel a deeper connection to their roots. They are reminded that they come from a lineage of strength and love. According to research from Emory University, adolescents who know more family stories “have higher self-esteem, higher sense of mastery in the world, lower anxiety, and a higher sense of meaning and purpose,” writes Robyn Fivush, Ph.D., director of the Family Narratives Lab at Emory University.
Stories endure.
Unlike material possessions, stories don’t depreciate. They can be retold, recorded, and passed down indefinitely, growing richer with each telling. Whether through written letters, recorded conversations, or shared traditions, your family history ensures your presence is felt long after you’re gone.
Your legacy is more than a will—it’s a testament to a life well lived. The stories you share, the love you give, and the wisdom you impart are the true markers of a meaningful life.
So ask yourself: How will you be remembered? What will you do to ensure you leave a legacy that is a blessing to your descendants?
How to begin shaping your legacy, now
Commit to writing about your memories every week for a year.
Find a lawyer who can help you create a holistic estate plan that accounts for both your financial assets and your values.
Work with a personal historian to preserve your most meaningful stories in book form.
Life Story Links: March 10, 2026
Dawn Roode's curated roundup of recent articles about family history, personal history interviews, life story and memoir writing, and legacy preservation.
“This is the magic, the potential, and the power of memoir. As archetypal storytellers, we are writing the human instruction manual, one hard-earned lesson at a time. We are assuring our readers, you are not alone.”
—Jennifer Selig, Deep Memoir
Vintage postcard with illustration by Rachael Robinson Elmer depicting New York from the 34th Street Ferry, 1914, published by Art–Lovers New York; original from The National Gallery of Art, courtesy Rawpixel.
Our lives in print
HONORING A LIFE
Last week I wrote about how to write a heartfelt, engaging obituary that honors a life with personal stories, creating a meaningful, memorable legacy.
PORTALS TO TRANSCENDENCE
“It will never be enough—in literature or in story—to name the attributes of a person, a moment, an era, a thing. We elevate our lists, and the odes that sometime contain them, by reaching meaning, a previously unforeseen something.” Beth Kephart on literary lists, and Suleika Jaouad on what she doesn't want to forget.
A HYMN TO LIFE
“The memoir is extraordinary—a deeply moving, oddly beautiful account of her life, her marriage, and, ultimately, the events that forced her to reconsider it all.” Gisèle Pelicot’s memoir as the ultimate act of defiance.
What we save
OBJECT LESSONS
“You convince yourself there’s some future where your child will want to return to that moment of pride and love through the act of witnessing the thing she made so long ago.” Mary Townsend on throwing our children’s art away.
SOLDIERS’ PHOTOGRAPHS
For 25 years, the Veterans History Project has preserved the voices of U.S. veterans through a variety of primary sources. Here they highlight six images that offer a glimpse of the powerful stories from their collections.
‘PRESERVING BLACK HISTORY IS NOT AN OPTION’
“A Robertson County, [Tennessee], man spent decades researching his ancestors and others once enslaved at Wessyngton Plantation, turning a seventh-grade discovery into a mission to preserve history.”
Ghosts in the machine?
FOREVERMORE TECH LAUNCH
“The platform centers on preserving everyday life details, including anecdotes, traditions, advice, and humor, rather than formal biographies. Users can gradually create a living archive that grows over time.”
ON AI BEFORE AI
“Today, ghostwriting websites must work to advertise why they could perform their writing-for-hire services better than a machine.”
...and a few more links
Christina Applegate shares the “raw, honest” truth about her life in new memoir.
Vivian Gornick ruminates on “a memoir of daily accommodation to fascism.”
When siblings disagree on what to do with grandfather’s sentimental objects
Woman sues author Amy Griffin, saying her memoir The Tell stole stories of sexual abuse
Short takes
Honoring a life, one word at a time
Learn how to write a heartfelt, engaging obituary that honors your loved one’s life with personal stories and creates a meaningful, memorable legacy.
Writing an obituary is one of the most meaningful ways to honor a loved one after they pass. It’s more than just an announcement—it’s a tribute, a story, a reflection of the life they lived. A well-written obituary captures their essence, celebrates their impact, and helps family and friends remember them as they truly were.
But how do you write an obituary that goes beyond the basic facts? How do you craft something that feels personal, heartfelt, and engaging? Here are some key steps to help you create a tribute that honors your loved one’s memory.
How to write an engaging obituary that truly honors your loved one’s life
The basics: What every obituary should have
1. Start with essential information.
Every obituary includes basic biographical details, and these serve as the foundation of your tribute. Be sure to include:
Full name (including maiden name, if applicable)
Age and date of passing
Place of birth and residence
Key family members (spouse, children, grandchildren, siblings)
Funeral or memorial service details
Example: Mary Elizabeth Carter, 78, passed away peacefully at home on March 5, 2024. Born in Chicago, Illinois, she was the daughter of Robert and Helen Carter and a beloved mother to James and Laura. She lived in Seattle for over 40 years, where she built a life full of family, community, and adventure.
2. Include meaningful anecdotes and details.
One of the best ways to make an obituary feel engaging and personal is to include small details that paint a picture of who they truly were.
Did they have a signature saying or inside joke?
Did they love a particular song, book, or tradition?
What was a moment that truly captured their essence?
Example: Instead of, “He loved gardening,” try: Tom’s garden was his sanctuary. Every spring, he planted tomatoes, roses, and herbs, coaxing them into bloom with the same patience and care he showed to everyone in his life. He believed that a little dirt under the fingernails was a sign of a life well-lived.
3. Write towards establishing a legacy.
How will your loved one be remembered? Who or what did they leave behind? Take a moment to acknowledge their impact and express gratitude.
Mention surviving family and dear friends.
Highlight their lasting influence—on people, projects, or the world.
If applicable, suggest a meaningful way to honor their memory (donations, charities, or actions).
Example: Mary’s legacy lives on in the countless students she inspired, the stories she wrote in her journals, and the garden she nurtured each spring. In her honor, the family asks that donations be made to the local library—her second home and favorite place
4. Strike the right tone.
Obituaries don’t have to be perfect, polished resumes of a person’s life. They should be honest, warm, and reflective of the real person. It’s okay to acknowledge challenges they faced—just focus on what made them remarkable despite them.
If humor was a big part of their personality, include a lighthearted touch.
If they overcame difficulties, acknowledge their strength.
If their life was simple but full of love, celebrate that.
Example: This example is from the obituary of a famed obit writer himself—someone who “saw himself as the sympathetic stranger at the wake listening to the friends and survivors of the deceased, alert for the moment when one of them would tell a memorable tale that…just happened to define a life,” Robert McG. Thomas:
“Mr. Thomas, a tall man with wavy hair who spoke in a voice soft with traces of his native Tennessee, was an extremely gregarious and social man. Last week he officiated at the annual New Year's Eve party he first started giving at the family home in Shelbyville 32 years ago. About 5 percent of the town's 12,000 people attended, and Mr. Thomas, wearing a blue silk shirt with embroidered sun and moon that he bought for the occasion, cheered his guests and the new century. As in past years, he expressed hopes that the fireworks he had ordered would not set fire to the Presbyterian church across the road.”
Beyond the Basics: Tell Their Story
An obituary, at its essence, is a miniature life story. What’s missing from so many, in my opinion, are actual stories.
What made your loved one unique? Instead of just listing milestones or speaking in generalities, bring them to life through stories that reveal their passions and personality.
What brought them joy? (Hobbies, careers, volunteer work, favorite places….)
How did they impact others? (Contributions to family, community, or their profession…)
What qualities made them unforgettable? (Sense of humor, kindness, resilience, etc.)
Don’t list answers to these questions; rather, tell stories of your loved one that shine a light on their traits. “I remember when Jared…” and “I ’m sure many of you know about the time Sarah…” and “My earliest memory of Marcelle is…”—each of these introductory prompts invites a tale, a fully formed short story that guarantees to make an obituary memorable, and to enhance the deceased legacy in a way true to their spirit.
Example: “Lyle, Ruby Ann’s husband of 55 years, swept her off her feet when he ordered a 5-cent cup of coffee and left her a 25-cent tip where she waitressed at her parents' Palace Cafe. After two weeks of courting, and fun at the roller rink, they married on December 26, 1951.”
Example: “Marshall D. Berger, a latter-day Henry Higgins who taught generations of Noo Yawkahs how not to speak the Kings County English, died on May 28 at a hospital near his home in Orangeburg, NY. He was 77 and had taught speech at City College from 1946 to 1982…. And if he could not always identify the exact Brooklyn block, say, where a student had learned to play stickball, or just which of the Five Towns of Long Island he had moved to as a teenager, he came close enough often enough to awe his students….
A man who made it a point to read his morning newspaper cover to cover, Mr. Berger seemed determined to know everything about everything. If that is impossible, he made such a run at it that his daughters and their husbands, all Ph.D.s, developed a family game called ‘Stump Marshall,’ in a usually vain effort to ask him a question he could not answer.”
An intriguing idea: Write your own obituary
“The most common error I see in obituaries is to underestimate the importance of childhood and teenage years, and the struggles to find a career, a mate, a vocation, or a purpose in life,” James R. Hagerty writes in Yours Truly: An Obituary Write’s Guide to Telling Your Story, a book I highly recommend. “The experiences that shaped you are often what other people least understand and would be most interested to know.”
And it’s exactly those types of stories that our loved ones often don’t know enough about to do justice to our stories at the time of our death. So why not give writing your own obituary a go?
Whether or not your family eventually uses what you write as your actual obituary won’t matter, in the end. What matters is that you leave them something of your deepest self for them to hold onto when you are gone.
In his beautiful book For You When I Am Gone, Steve Leder offers up 12 essential questions for telling a meaningful life story—and each one of them would be useful when contemplating your own obituary. “What memories do you wish for your loved ones to carry?” he asks. “What images will dance in their hearts like a bride twirling in the perfumed air, happy and alive?”
Writing an obituary is a labor of love. Take your time. Write from the heart. And know that in putting their story into words, you’re ensuring that their memory lives on.
Recommended reading:
Eccentric Lives: The Daily Telegraph Book of 21st Century Obituaries by Andrew M. Brown (Unicorn Publishing Group, 2022)
For You When I Am Gone by Steve Leder (Avery, 2022)
Yours Truly: An Obituary Writer’s Guide to Telling Your Story by James R. Hagerty (Citadel Press, 2023)
Overlooked is a series of obituaries about remarkable people whose deaths, beginning in 1851, initially went unreported in The New York Times. Peruse the archive here, or read more in the collected obituaries in the book, Overlooked: A Celebration of Remarkable, Underappreciated People Who Broke the Rules and Changed the World by Amisha Padnani and the New York Times (Ten Speed Press, 2023)
52 McGs.: The Best Obituaries from Legendary New York Times Reporter Robert McG. Thomas by Robert McG. Thomas (Scribner, 2008)
Related, on the blog:
A year’s worth of journal writing prompts
Stay inspired with 52 weekly writing prompts for journaling and family history. Capture memories, dreams, and stories big and small. Bonus: Downloadable guide!
Never face down a blank page again—download our free guide with a life writing prompt for every week of the year, then tuck it in your journal or pin it near your computer for inspiration at your fingertips!
Keeping a journaling or family history practice alive through the entire year can feel daunting—until you realize you don’t have to come up with ideas on the spot. Having a set of weekly prompts at your fingertips gives you structure and inspiration, while still leaving room for your stories to flow in their own unique direction.
To make it easy, I’ve gathered 52 prompts—one for every week of the year—that weave together themes of reflection, memory, family history, traditions, and everyday moments. Each month offers four prompts tied to the seasons and natural rhythms of life.
Whether you use these life writing prompts to spark daily journaling, guide family conversations, or record stories for future generations, these questions will help you capture the richness of your life and legacy.
TIP: Our free download includes one page of writing prompts per month, so you can print them out and paste into your daily planner or tuck into your journal for easy reference! Get yours here.
Click below to jump to any month’s writing prompts:
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
August
September
October
November
December
January – New Beginnings
week 1 Reflection:
What were your greatest accomplishments, biggest challenges, surprises, joys, and losses last year? Keep things simple with a list if that’s all you can handle as the new year begins, or dive deep and probe for meaning!
week 2 Setting intentions:
How do you want to shape the coming year? What do you hope will happen? What habits, relationships, or parts of yourself would you like to nurture? Dream big or be practical—whatever approach suits you right now!
week 3 Memory:
What childhood home do you remember best? Describe its sights, smells, sounds, people. Can you draw a map of its layout? Why do you think you remember what you do (or don’t)?
week 4 Life list—fun:
What was your favorite toy, game, or pastime as a child?
February — Love & Connection
week 1 Love Letter:
Write a letter to someone who influenced your life deeply (friend, partner, ancestor). What have they taught you?
week 2 Lasting bonds:
Think about a meaningful friendship. What made it special? What lessons or memories does it carry?
week 3 Memory:
What meals remind you most of your childhood? Describe the smells, flavors, and people around you. Could you cook up these dishes if you tried?
week 4 Life list—food:
Was there a dish you hated as a kid but now love (or vice versa)? What changed?
March — Women’s History Month
week 1 Female influences:
In honor of Women’s History Month, write about a woman who shaped your life. What qualities of hers live in you? Does (or did) she know her impact on you?
week 2 Unsung stories:
What story of a mother, grandmother, or other woman in your family deserves to be remembered? It needn’t be a drama-filled story—it just might be a small moment that held major impact.
week 3 Identity:
Tell about a time when someone asked you, “Who are you?” How did you respond? How has your answer changed?
week 4 Silenced stories:
Do you have any stories you once hesitated to tell but now feel are important? Why did you hold back? Remember—no one needs to see what you write in the privacy of your journal, even now.
April – Renewal & Growth
week 1 Spring awakening:
Describe a time you started over, intentionally or by chance. What changed inside you?
week 2 Nature as metaphor:
Choose a flower, tree, or garden from your past. What did it symbolize in that season of life?
week 3 Lost recipe:
Recall a family recipe that has been lost or half-forgotten. What do you remember and what do you wish you knew?
week 4 A letter you never sent:
Write the letter—to someone living or gone—that you wish you’d sent.
week 5 Turning point:
What was the moment when you felt you were no longer a child?
May – Heritage & Traditions
week 1 Family gatherings:
Describe a family celebration or tradition that left a strong impression.
week 2 Keepsakes:
Write about an object you’ve inherited (jewelry, recipe, letter). What story does it carry? If nothing comes to mind, consider writing about an object that holds meaning to you now that you hope a child or other family member will one day cherish.
week 3 Memory:
Who in your family was the storyteller? Capture a tale you remember hearing from them.
week 4 Life list—values:
What values do you see passed through your family (kindness, humor, hard work)? Where did they come from?
June – Journeys
week 1 Travel:
Recall a trip (near or far) that shaped you. What moments do you still see vividly?
week 2 Going forth:
Write about a time when you “set out”—to college, a job, a new city, an adventure.
week 3 First job:
What was your first job, or a formative work experience? How did it shape you?
week 4 Failure and growth:
Write about a time you failed at something important. What did you learn from it? How did you handle it?
week 5 Mid-year check-in:
Look back on the first half of the year. What have you done, and what are you proud of? What do you still want to finish?
July – Independence
week 1 Independence:
Write about the first time you made a big decision on your own.
week 2 Reflection:
What does freedom mean to you personally? Reflect on a moment when you felt free.
week 3 Memory:
When was the last time you felt awe? What brought it on?
week 4 Life list—home:
What place(s) feel most like home to you? What makes it feel that way?
August – Everyday Moments
week 1 Summer snapshot:
Capture a vivid childhood summer memory—sights, smells, sounds.
week 2 Daily life:
Write about an ordinary routine that reveals something bigger about who you are.
week 3 Life list—soundtrack:
What song takes you back instantly to a time in your life? What story is tied to it?
week 4 Memory:
Tell a story from your teen years—a friendship, conflict, turning point, or just a funny, sad, beautiful, or poignant memory.
September – Growth
week 1 Back to school:
Recall a memorable teacher, mentor, or lesson.
week 2 Lifelong learning:
What skill or habit did you learn later in life that changed you?
week 3 History made personal:
What historical event shaped your family (war, migration, economic change)? How?
week 4 Life list—school supplies:
Do you remember back-to-school shopping when you were a kid? What items did you love…or wish for?
week 5 Memory:
Describe a small, ordinary moment that brought you unexpected joy. What made it stand out?
October – Family History Month
week 1 Roots:
In honor of Family History Month, write about the earliest ancestor you know by name.
week 2 Family lore:
Capture a funny or legendary family tale. What truths lie beneath it? Has the telling of the tale changed over time?
week 3 Life list—ancestors:
If you could ask a grandparent three questions, what would they be? Write what you know and what you wish you knew.
week 4 Heirlooms:
Pick a family heirloom. What is its story and how did it come to you?
week 5 Memory:
Write about one of the following (and save the others for another day!): your earliest memory, your most elusive memory, your favorite memory.
November – Gratitude
week 1 Life list—gratitude:
Write about five things you’re grateful for this year. Choose one and go deeper.
week 2 Reflection:
Reflect on a hardship that later became something you were thankful for.
week 3 Memory:
What kindnesses have you witnessed or experienced this year? Elaborate on one that moved you (or that you hope moved someone else), or take the prompt in an entirely different direction that resonates for you right now.
week 4 Absence:
Think of someone you miss. Write about what you learned from them and what you carry forward, what you would tell them if they were here, or how you honor their memory.
December – Holidays & Reflection
week 1 Traditions:
Describe your favorite holiday ritual and why it matters.
week 2 Reflection:
As the year winds down, reflect on how you’ve changed since January. What do you want to carry forward?
week 3 Surprises:
What was the biggest surprise of the year? How did it make you feel? Change you?
week 4 Dream on:
Write about one wish or dream you have for the coming year, small or large. What will you do to make it come true?
Stories live best when they’re shared. My hope is that these prompts not only inspire your own journaling, but also spark conversations with the people you love. Imagine what your children or grandchildren might discover if even a few of these questions were answered and preserved.
If you’d like to keep this list handy, I’ve created a printable version with all 52 prompts—perfect for tucking into your journal!
P.S. This list is formatted for the year 2026, with five prompts for the months of April, June, September, and October—but it can be used any year (52 weeks is 52 prompts, no matter when the weeks fall 😉).
Free Printable Guide!
Download all 52 life writing prompts in a beautifully designed guide that you can tuck into your journal or pin up near your computer—inspiration always at your fingertips!
Want even more prompts—and writing guidance along the way?
Our email subscription, Write Your Life, offers 52 weeks of life writing prompts geared specifically for building towards a memoir or personal history. How are they different?, you must be wondering! Well:
With Write Your Life, each week you’ll receive a thoughtful prompt with follow-up questions, examples of directions you might take, guidance for accessing memories and developing them into stories, and inspirational quotes and resources—PLUS subscribers get a companion e-book overflowing with even more pro tips.
While this free journaling guide is tied to the seasons, the Write Your Life subscription is intentionally crafted to start with easy-to-access memories that lead to deeper life reflection as you go. It’s designed to lead you towards a finished memoir, and prompts from one week build upon others you have written about previously.
The Write Your Life prompts are delivered to your email inbox each week to help keep you accountable and spur you to write—really write!! (If you’ve got a loved one who’s been thinking about writing about their life, this makes a wonderfully original and thoughtful gift, too 😉).
