As Professional Life Story Writers, we are often asked about the preparation a client can do for interviews. The short answer is nothing. Of course, it is helpful to know what written notes you have, what research you have gathered, photos you can reference and the key turning points of your life, but the reality is these are elements that are explored through the interview process. We start with whatever you have and build the resources as we go. A Professional Life Story Writer will guide the process based on years of experience about what works best, and ensure your time and energy are focused in the right place.
I often chat with people who want their memoirs written and there are common questions that I am asked. There are many reasons why someone hasn’t started their memoir and those reasons remain obstacles without the support of a writing professional.
These are some of the most common challenges people want to discuss.
Remembering every detail of a life or feeling you must know it all before starting to write
Memory is a strange thing. The reality is how things happen, how we remember them and how the various chapters of our lives change the lens through which we view our experiences is in constant change. While there are some ‘hard facts’ that can be relied on through history (and triaged in research), there will always be a sense of fluidity in details and what is remembered. A skilled Life Story Writer can help you make sense of the details, and in some cases help you remember or reconstruct events that support your narrative. We can help overcome gaps in knowledge so the story flows, makes sense and speaks to what really matters.
The same applies to the researching of family histories before starting the process. Research is an endless task and can often distract us from starting. Starting wherever you are is important, as this will help define what is still needed.
It is also important to note that everyone’s perspective will be different. Your version of events will not necessarily match other viewpoints in your family. This is normal and to be expected. What is important is your version.
Waiting for the right time
The right time to have your memoir written is now. Get started, and honour where you are at today. Sensitivities to how others might react to our written story can make us hold back. There are many ways a Professional Life Story Writer can help overcome these feelings of concern, and create strategies for dealing with the potential reactions of others. You don’t have to wait until someone is ‘out of the picture’ to include them in your story. We work with finding your voice and being present in the moment. That’s how we support you in being truly authentic. Writing a memoir is always better when started sooner rather than later.
Gaining permission from others before you write
There are defined and professional practices a Life Story Writer can engage once the story has been completed that help you get permission from people you mention in your story. These processes provide fair input from others, and a proven way to ensure you have covered your bases. Professional Writers can also write your story in such a way that it is less triggering for others, using careful language choices and keeping an eye on the bigger picture. We will also help you decide on where and how you choose to publish your story – it never has to be outside your comfort zone.
Using AI
A well written life story will be created from the ground up based on interviews and materials supplied. This ensures the retention of your unique voice, careful fact checking, a guarantee of your confidentiality and the preservation of the intellectual property you have in your own story. While AI can provide some shortcuts, it is no substitute for real and insightful story telling. Life Stories Australia writers are real life people, who operate under a strict Code of Ethics that can help you avoid the annoying and often costly reality of AI hallucinations, scams and vanity publishers.
Having a dramatic life
It is a misconception that a life full of drama is a prerequisite to writing your life story. Often people who feel called to share their story have come through significant life challenges, but the reality is every person you meet has faced a turning point, or has some wisdom, to be shared with others. A Professional Life Story Writer can help you finetune what the message is behind your life and what legacy you seek to leave behind. We can bring ordinary events to life on the page, make them engaging for readers, and effective in moving your story forward – even the tiny, insignificant moments can have meaning. Building a narrative can provide you with insight and understanding of a life well lived.
Professional Life Story Writers have spent years developing their skills to meet the obvious and hidden challenges of memoir and biography writing. It’s our job, and we enjoy it! While your concerns feel real, we can provide solutions to just about every worry.
We are the champions of your story and the engine that gets your story written and out in the world. You’ll be in safe hands with a Life Stories Australia accredited member.
Written by Lindy Schneider, Accredited Member – Life Stories Australia
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