Have you ever thought of writing your own memoir? Or preserving your family's history by recording your relatives' life stories? Many of us have, but so few of us do it. Why? Maybe we think we're not "good enough" at writing. Or perhaps we're scared to reveal family secrets. You might have started and somehow just never finished.

Bestselling author Darien Gee understands how hard it can be to start and finish writing a memoir. In her book, Writing the Hawai'i Memoir: Advice and Exercises to Help You Tell Your Story, she provides concise, step-by-step guidance for writers of all experience levels. Even better, her book goes beyond "how to" and gets you to completion through exercises and encouragement. The emphasis is not on publication-though if that is your end goal, you'll find pointers for that, too-but on finishing your memoir so it can be shared with others.

Start Wherever You Are.

Writing is ready when you are, wherever you are. All you need are the thoughts in your head, something to capture them-pen and paper, typewriter, computer, voice recorder, whatever suits you best-and a place to sit still and just do it.

Set Goals.

The key is to start simple. There's nothing wrong with setting an ambitious goal, but you want to set yourself up for success. That means having a clear idea of what you want to achieve and establishing a rhythm that works with the realities of your life. Twenty minutes or three pages a day may not sound like much, but you'll know when you're ready for more. Better to start at a place that feels easy than one that feels too hard.

Establish a Routine.

Many people approach writing a book in a haphazard way. They sit down, write a few words, organize their desk, get up for a cup of coffee, write some more, take a bathroom break, check their email, do some laundry, make a sandwich, then throw in the towel for the rest of the day because it's time to pick up the kids or catch the evening news. There's nothing wrong with this, but if you want to write a book-more importantly, if you want to finish writing a book-you greatly increase your chances by establishing a routine.

Set a Deadline and Finish What You Start.

Do you want to write your memoir, or do you want to write and finish your memoir? It may seem like an odd question, but there are lots of writers who write without ever finishing their manuscript. Setting a deadline isn't meant to quash your creative spirit. It provides focus, and when the brain puts its full attention on something, it filters out everything else. You can move the deadline up or push it back, but you must set a deadline when you begin. Without it, your writing project will be unmoored, left to float about and be pushed around by circumstance or whimsy. The brain loves parameters, and it will rally all your resources around it. The time to do this isn't when you're midway through the project, but before you begin. If you want to have a finished manuscript in your hands, set a deadline.