Your Life in a Transcript

I have a diploma transcript appointment today with a homeschool parent. Unschoolers Network, www.unschoolersnetwork.bravehost.com, the homeschool network that I work with, offers this and other services to families who are homeschooling their children. We compile and document a student's work for their high school years. This summary becomes a transcript that can be used for college or job applications and the like.

These transcripts are a reflection of a student's life through high school. Not a total reflection, mind you, for they do not show character traits such as kindness and patience, but these transcripts do help a student move into the next part of their life. Of course, the writer in me takes this concept a step further. What do our lives reflect that can translate into writing? If we think in transcript terms, we can boil our life down to subjects and hours accrued, volunteer and other activities, specialized training, jobs, and more. Whether we realize it or not, we each have a rich past from which to draw.

Think of all the possible avenues that you could write about. Are you a stay at home mom? An office worker? Counselor, volunteer, or big brother or sister? Are you interested in sports, sewing, or stamp collecting? Do you have contracting, legal, or automotive experience? Are you a movie or antique car buff? There are trade magazines, ezines, newsletters, websites and other publications for all of the items that make up your life's transcript.

It might help to make a list of things that you have done - past and present, and maybe even things you'd like to do in the future. Include who you are - mom, grandpa, sister, uncle, only child - and include every relationship you can think of. You may be an only child but you are probably a cousin, god parent, friendly neighbor, or dozens of other things. Include your interests, hobbies, awards, special certifications, anything that you can think of. I am sure your list will include many things that you can either write a story about, generate an interview idea, or produce a how-to article. Why not start that list and get your very own transcript? Be prepared, you'll probably be adding to the list regularly, as you live, interact with people, and write.

Go ahead, investigate a few writing possibilities from your life's transcript this week. Be sure and leave your comments and let me know how things are coming along. I'd be happy to brainstorm with you...

Blessings to you, and as always, happy writing!

Copyright 2009, Karen Lange.