Pre-Interview Questionnaire
The idea of writing our life story can be daunting. However, it becomes less daunting as we break it down into manageable sections and complete an initial questionnaire, which includes biographical information, main topics, and formative milestones.
Interviews
Interviews will typically be conducted at your home or remotely via Zoom. On average, a life story requires 8-10 hours of interviews, divided into three to five sessions. The purpose of the interview is not to discuss facts, but to have a casual conversation and share stories. Photographs are good to have on hand to help jog memories.
Gathering and Writing
We can help select, scan, and enhance any photos, letters, and other documents you’d like to include in the book. Then, we’ll edit and organize interview responses into a cohesive narrative that reflects your unique voice, sense of humor, and values. When helpful, we’ll incorporate a bit of historical context to provide clarity and deeper meaning.
Formatting and Printing
Once you’re delighted with the written document, we’ll integrate it with the selected images, format it into a print-ready PDF file for your review, and upload it to a print-on-demand publishing platform.
Pricing
The cost of creating and formatting a life story varies widely, influenced by factors such as the project’s scope and complexity. We can customize a package to fit most budgets.
The Benefits of Preserving a Family Legacy Are Immeasurable
Honor the elders in your life: Giving your parents or grandparents space to share their stories shows that their journey matters and deserves to be remembered.
Learn life lessons: We all face hard things. In learning about our ancestors’ lives, we can see patterns of resilience, love, work, and surviving hard times.
Strengthen cultural identity: Learning about traditions, customs, and cultural practices can help family members feel more connected to their heritage.
Deepen family ties: Sharing stories can be a beautiful way to keep family history alive while reinforcing the ties that bring everyone together.
Help kids develop a stronger sense of identity: This has never been more important. As reported in the New York Times, children who know more about their family’s history ― the peaks and valleys ― enjoy a deeper sense of belonging and tend to do better when navigating life’s challenges.
