There are a lot of reasons to write a memoir or autobiography, not the least of which is the possibility that details of events will be forgotten or changed over time, the line between fact and memory becoming less distinct as the years go by. Writing forces us to think and rethink about our past and present surroundings, the people around us, relationships, and occasions that seemed ordinary at the time, but make our lives extraordinary. The following are just several reasons you should begin to write your life story.

1. Leave Your Mark
Translating and interpreting the circumstances and events of your life puts a figurative stake in the ground for all to see, adding color to a drawing or filling in the empty spaces of a form. Your autobiography defines you and is evidence that you are an active participant in the events occurring around you. Writing allows you to present your side of the story – your interpretation of facts in a manner that you can connect with readers and share your triumphs, disappointments, joys, and trials.
To my dad, a childhood of carrying a pocket knife, going barefooted to school, or sleeping on a blanket in the front yard during the hot summer nights in Texas were ordinary occurrences in the life of every little boy growing up in a small town. To his grandchildren reading his memoir 60 years later, it appears to be a life of excitement, freedom, and incredible adventures. Best of all, his memoir allowed them to see him as a tow-headed young boy like their friend down the street, not the balding old man, crippled by arthritis, whom they visited on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

2. Reconcile the Past
Many people encounter hard times at some point in their lives, often leaving residues of resentment, remorse, and regret. In some cases, the cause might be the actions, intended or not, of another person. Our disappointment may be the result of a suspected or real betrayal or a supposed failing on our part. Whatever the cause, such events can trigger bad feelings that fester for years, corroding relationships and eroding happiness.
Writing a memoir gives you an opportunity to revisit the past and reconsider the events and circumstances with the perspective of wisdom and experience. While there are villains in the world, much unhappiness and many toxic relationships stem from misunderstanding and miscommunication of facts or intent. You may discover during the process of self-examination that you and your feelings are as much the cause of estrangement as any second party. Confession and forgiveness of others and ourselves are often the outcome of a life story project.

3. Make Money
Are you a person who has led an extremely interesting life, perhaps a brain surgeon who rides bulls at the weekend rodeo and writes a popular murder mystery television show? Do you have the skill to turn the mundane of everyday life into humorous, unforgettable escapades of modern suburbia? In either case, you may discover that there is a plethora of customers willing to pay for the privilege of reading your memoir.
At least three different channels exist through which you might reach those interested customers:
• Traditional Book Publishers. Securing a publishing contract with a major traditional book publisher can be very difficult unless you are already a bestselling author, a celebrity, or have an extraordinary story to tell. Before approaching a publisher or a literary agent about publishing your memoir, ask yourself the following questions: If the reader doesn’t know you, why would he or she read your story? What is the theme of your story – transformational, inspirational, or cautionary? Why is your story different from other memoirs already available?
• Self-Publishing. Amazon and their Kindle readers have transformed the book industry. eBooks now outsell traditional hard-back print books with higher margins for retailers and authors alike. As a consequence, many authors are forgoing traditional publishing arrangements, electing to self-publish with the assistance of freelance editors, proofreaders, designers, and specialty marketing companies. My father’s book is currently being serialized, the first book published in August 2014 and the second to follow by year’s end. While it is unlikely to become a bestseller, I know my father would be pleased to know that his story was enjoyed by some, even if the royalties are small.
• Blogging/Freelance Article Writer. If you have the interest, style, and discipline, a second career as a writer awaits you. Each publication and website has its own editorial requirements, which can be very exacting. Payment is usually formulated according to word count, and is rendered when the article is published. A friend of mine (now a widow and a grandmother) with a wicked sense of humor and an ability to laugh at herself has turned her passion for writing Facebook posts about the trials of motherhood into regular contributions to a popular women’s magazine. Some writers have turned their memoirs into personal websites, complete with updates on different aspects of their lives – relationships, finances, lifestyle, and health – as retired seniors. They are monetizing their writing through tie-in marketing arrangements with other companies in return for recommending and selling their products.

4. Inform and Educate
Everyone, it seems, has a story that might interest others. Sometimes, the story is about our own lives and the events that shape us. Sometimes, the story is about other people the writer knows or his or her participation in situations that attract the public’s interest or curiosity.
Memoirs and autobiographies may appeal to very select audiences, such as the members of a single family, or they may become large, commercial successes, particularly if the writer is well-known or has been associated with a historically important event. However, commercial success is not the only measure of a memoir’s value.
An autobiography causes you to record the adventures, tragedies, and dramas of your life with insights that can be valuable to others. My dad’s experiences of anger about a lost childhood due to a misdiagnosed case of tuberculosis, as well as his angst in struggling to maintain a romantic relationship, resonate with many. The story touches readers, despite his simple descriptions and sometimes awkward phrasing, because they can visualize themselves in my father’s situation.

Source: Money Crashers Blogpost