Memory Crafters
Memoir Writing Service
1.2 - A Timeline (How Did I Get Here?)
Outlining your life by childhood memories, high school memories, college memories, professional/work memories, and family memories is a necessary first step.
So, create your timeline. I’ve given you an example of mine below.
You may have different or additional sections.
Go with them.
TIMELINE -- SUSAN SWIECONEK COSMA
CHILDHOOD
Born July 22, 1953, to Thaddeus (Ted) and Mary (Mamie) in Trenton, New Jersey -- July 22, 1953
Lived on Sherman Avenue with parents, two brothers, and paternal grandmother -- 1953-1981
Attended St. Hedwig’s Grammar School – 1958-1967 and St. Hedwig’s Roman Catholic Church --1958-1967
Attended St. Hedwig’s Roman Catholic Church
HIGH SCHOOL
Attended Notre Dame High School -- 1967-1971
Played basketball and softball; wrote for school newspaper/sports editor; Girls’ Athletic Association member/president, National Honor Society
COLLEGE
Attended Rider College -- 1971-1975
Majored in Secondary Education/English/BA Education -- Played basketball -- 1972-1975
Graduated magna cum laude -- 1975
Attended Trenton Stage College -- 1979-1981
MA in English -- 1981
PROFESSIONAL/WORK
Flower salesgirl at Trenton Farmer’s Market -- 1967
Cashier at Robert Hall Clothing Store -- 1970-1975
Cashier at Builders’ Emporium -- 1975
Secretary at Trenton Evening Times -- 1976
Cashier at Herman’s World of Sporting Goods -- 1976-1977
English Teacher – Steinert High School -- 1977-1983
Asst. Coach – Girls’ Basketball – Steinert High School -- 1977-1983
English Teacher – Nottingham High School -- 1983-2004
Coach – Girls’ Varsity Soccer – Nottingham High School -- 1983-1988
Asst. Coach – Girls’ Track – Nottingham High School -- 1986
Party Disc Jockey – The Pros -- 1984-1986
Wedding Videographer – Video Designs -- 1986-1989
English Teacher – Steinert High School -- 2004-2015
Freelance Writer - Novels; Memoir-Writing Service -- 2017-Present
FAMILY
Lived with parents, brothers, Ted (1948) and Rich (1951) and paternal grandmother, Babci (Marianna Swieconek)
Grandparents – Jan and Mary (Murdza) Swierczek; Ignatius and Mary (Romanowska) Swieconek
Uncles – Jimmy, Steve, Joe; Aunts – Sophie, Stella
Cousins – Marcia, Leonard, Eddie, Agnes, Paul, John
Bought first house on Genessee Street ; Joined Holy Angels Parish -- 1982
Bought second house on Redfern Street -- 1985
Met Chris (1987) & married Chris (1989)
First son, Peter, born (baptized Holy Angels 1990)
Second son, Andrew, born –(baptized Holy Angels 1992)
Mother died (1991); Father died (1992)
Bought/moved into parents’ house with husband on Red Cedar Drive -- 1995
FRIENDS
CHILDHOOD -- Kathy, Diane, Carol, Judy, Jane, Ona
SCHOOL – Joann, Carol, Sue, Jessie, Eileen, Nancy
ADULT – Nancy , Joan, Kathy, Dot, Kim, Peggy, Ellen, Lynn Rich