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From: Rae Jean Sielen
Date: 10/22/01
Time: 8:52:45 PM
Remote Name: 198.77.7.40
Many people have a hard time getting started. My quick answer is "start where it's easy." A big part of this strategy is "knowing oneself." For example, are you drawn more towards writing, talking to a tape recorder, or being video recorded? Do you do better with big projects or short ones--an afternoon, 6 months, or 3 years? Do you tend to be a pretty private person or a more "out there" person? Do you need a partner, a coach, or some structure to keep you on track and motivated? Are you 100% committed to doing it, or want to just give it a try?
Depending on your answers to these (and other such questions) you can begin to develop an approach that will work for you. In my own case, my "life story" is a growing collection of 1-5 page personal narratives that I write and lay out (with scanned photos) as time permits and I'm so moved. Some people choose to write full-blown chronological autobiographies. Not me—I'd get too overwhelmed and give up.
There are many resources to help stutterers and non-stutterers get started; this paper lists many. Based on my first hand experience, I've seen people especially benefit from life writing workshops, "how-to" books, "personal history coaches," and "publishing/sharing projects" (e.g., a newsletter or website).
Hope this helps!