. . . the process

 I. PLANNING
We discuss the project, who I’ll interview, where, when, what to focus on. I write an agreement based on our thinking.

II. STORY SESSIONS
Depending on stamina, sessions last from one and a half to three hours. While we talk, I listen, record, ask questions. The story takes over.

Afraid your person won’t talk? I’ve been doing this for more than 20 years. People always talk! (No, there's no torture.) Often, the initially recalcitrant have the most to say.

III.TRANSCRIPTION
After we talk, I transcribe the sessions into a verbatim record. Some families leave it at that. Most, though, prefer to have their story read as a first person narrative, which brings us to editing.

IV. EDITING
My goal is to keep close to the teller’s words, so it reads like your loved one talking. I also shape the story, noting areas that could use more detail or clarity. Life themes emerge. Such insights are often the most powerful outcome of this work.

You read the manuscript and make changes until you’re comfortable.

V. LAYOUT, PRINTING & BINDING
By now, you’ll have gathered photographs, letters, poems and other documents and images to be scanned into the book. I’ll create a design for the book. Upon your approval, I'll create the book.

There are many options. Some stories lend themselves to an intimate few. For those people, I can create lovely handbound volumes like those you see in this website. Some just want the story and prefer a more informal booklet, or a combination of a handbound volume and several booklets. Others want many copies of their book. If so, we work with an outside printer. All are archival quality, pleasant to hold and read.

VI. OTHER MEDIA
While I love to hold books, some prefer videos, CD-ROMS, or a family website. I can help. There are other options, like creating an art object in which to store your album, a children's book based on your story, a photo album annotated by tales. The ways of presenting stories are many — you just need to take that first step. Begin!

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