So, you’ve written your memoir (or your life story) and you are ready to find a publisher. Or do you only need a printer?

There is a difference – and there are many factors you will want to consider as you think about getting your manuscript into a book.

Did you write your memoir because you think your story has commercial potential? Would someone buy your book because it’s such an incredible and unusual story even if the buyer does not know who you are?

Generally, a publisher will not only print and produce books for you but also make the book available for sale and distribution. Publishing also involves graphic design of the cover and interior pages as well as layout – all to certain printing specifications. Publishers also provide an ISBN and barcode – and some also provide marketing.

Let’s assume that you believe your story is worth writing, but you are thinking, “I’m really not a writer.”

The wonderful thing about life-story writing is that you don’t have to be a “writer” – at least not a professional writer. We are all storytellers, whether we are simply describing our most recent trip, telling our friends about an interesting experience, or writing a letter. (Even writing an e-mail or posting messages on social networking sites can, in essence, be storytelling, depending on the type of message.)    

Legacies & Memories offers a step-by-step guide to writing your life story – even if you do not consider yourself a writer. Of course, you will want to have an editor edit what you write. But even professional writers need editors.

Now, if you don’t want to do the writing yourself, you can always hire professional biographers like those at Legacies & Memories, who will gather your stories and write, edit and produce the books. It is not that different from hiring professionals to take care of other matters in your life.

Still not convinced your story is worth writing?

Think about the importance of stories in each of our lives and how relating our individual experiences help us to better know and understand one another – and ourselves.

It can seem overwhelming to start writing your life story or writing the biography of a family member. But it doesn’t have to be.

There are many approaches to use – we’ll detail some of those in this article – but the best one is the one with which you are most comfortable. Experiment to determine what works for you.

Like any goal that requires a substantial commitment, it is necessary to think of it not as the whole, but in parts. For example, if you were planning to run a marathon, your training would include gradually adding mileage during your training runs in the months leading up to the big event. The same applies to writing a life story. Focus on the various aspects of your life and write about each one. And remember, you don’t have to be a professional writer. You are naturally a storyteller – and writing a life story is storytelling.

Here are some ideas on how you can get started.

The American philosopher Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “…The greatest gift is a portion of thyself.”

Your life story, if it is written, would be your gift to your family, now and for future generations.

Although writing your story or having it written is done to preserve your story for your family, you will no doubt enjoy reminiscing and storytelling. As I tell our clients, “How often do you get an opportunity for someone to listen to you tell your entire life story?” As biographers, it’s what we do.

Whether you write or we write for you, you have much to share.