"to me D.C. is a small city" - Writing about myself

My thing is whenever I write about me growing up in the 1950s and the 1960s in the city, I get the impression that what I am about to say or say that it will be the wrong thing, that if I talk about a place or person that someone may get upset. I live in D.C., and to me D.C. is a small city where people here know much about eveything and everyone. Also, even if I just write a story that is in D.C., I think something will go wrong. Plagiarism is another thing. I get the impression that whenever I write, it may have been written by someone else. By the way, I do want to write about myself, and growing up in D.C., and I need to know the rules of it all.

Joseph

Writing a good essay is a process that takes many days. Just start by writing the facts, the outline, what you want to say eventually. Don't worry about upsetting anyone; this is your essay, not theirs. As for plagerizing, it is difficult to avoid that line of thought. However, if you are writing it yourself, it is your original work. Don't even worry about accidentally plagerizing someone, it won't happen. Write what you want to write, this is an expression of yourself and your life, no one elses.

Let the essay sit for a while, then come back and reread it, fixing and rewording it as you go. Definately get one to three people to read over it. That's extremely helpful for writing essays and increasing your confidence with positive feedback.

Good luck! :)