Knowing your roots—where you come from, the stories behind how you came to be here now, the challenges your ancestors overcame, and the resilience they summoned—provides a source of strength, a solid footing, a wind at your back.
A memoir that tells this story for future generations to cherish and share forward is one of the greatest things you can do for your family. As we each embark on our life adventures, the wise among us take advantage of the resources at hand; your family’s intergenerational story is one such powerful resource.
However, capturing your family’s story, or the story of an individual loved one, is easier said than done. While most people love the idea, it isn’t a project they can readily do on their own. That is why professional book and memoir writers exist: to help make it easy for you to realize your dream of documenting your family’s precious stories in a memoir you are proud to share for generations to come.
Here are 10 reasons—personal and practical—that you should consider hiring a professional to capture your family’s stories before it is too late and they are lost forever.
Let’s Start with Personal Reasons:
1. Memory Loss & Limited Time
One of the biggest pain points for individuals wanting to capture their family members' stories is the limited time available. Life moves fast, and loved ones may be getting older or facing health challenges. In some cases, family members experience memory loss and cognitive decline, making it even more urgent to capture their stories before their recollections fade away.
2. Emotional Barriers
Some individuals find it challenging to broach sensitive topics or ask personal questions, fearing it may cause discomfort or emotional distress for their loved ones. This emotional barrier can prevent them from capturing important stories and insights. A professional memoir writer provides an outsider's perspective, making fresh connections and helping to create a balanced narrative that captures the true essence of your family's journey.
3. Overwhelm & Procrastination
The task of collecting and documenting family stories can feel overwhelming, leading to procrastination. Sifting through years of memories and conducting hours of interviews can be daunting. A professional memoir writer will listen to your vision, ideas, and preferences, ensuring that the final memoir reflects your family's values and captures the true essence of your loved ones.
4. Lack of Resources
Limited technical know-how to operate professional recording equipment and software can be a significant pain point for individuals wanting to capture family stories, posing a barrier to effectively preserving these valuable narratives.
5. Peace of Mind
Hiring a professional takes away the stress and pressure of writing a memoir yourself. You can relax knowing that your family's stories are in capable hands, allowing you to focus on enjoying the process and relishing the memories.
Now let’s look at some Practical Reasons that you should hire a memoir writer to document your family’s precious stories:
6. Expertise & Experience
Professional memoir writers have the skills and experience to craft a compelling narrative that captures the essence of your family's character. They know how to structure and present the stories in a way that engages readers and preserves the authenticity of your loved ones’ voices.
7. Time Restraints
Writing a memoir is a time-consuming process. By hiring a professional, you will save valuable time and energy while still ensuring that your family's stories are beautifully documented.
8. Creative Approach & Hidden Gems
Professional memoir writers have a creative flair that can transform your family's stories into a captivating and engaging read. They have a knack for drawing out the most interesting and meaningful aspects of your family's stories, uncovering hidden gems, shedding light on stories that might have otherwise been forgotten or overlooked, and teasing out the emotions, humor, and unique qualities of each individual.
9. Professional Editing, Proofreading, & Formatting
A professional memoir writer will not only write the memoir but also provide thorough editing, proofreading, and formatting. This ensures that the final product is polished, error-free, great-looking, and ready for publication.
10. Legacy for Future Generations
By hiring a professional, you are creating a lasting and tangible piece of history for your family. Your memoir will become a cherished heirloom, allowing your children, grandchildren, and all future generations to connect with their roots, understand their heritage, and appreciate the rich tapestry of your family's stories.
Conclusion
These are only 10 of countless reasons why individuals and families should proactively ensure that their loved ones’ stories are captured and preserved forever. By engaging a professional memoir-writing service like LifeStory Memoir, the pressure will be off, allowing you to enjoy the journey of reminiscing and family engagement, knowing you are a hero providing your family a priceless and eternal service.
Takeaways
To reiterate a few key takeaway points:
Professional memoir writers, with their skills and experience, can craft a compelling narrative that captures your family's essence
Time is limited and all of us are getting older, so the time to begin our project is now
Professional interviewers and writers bring an outside and objective point of view that often helps generate more rewarding content and deeper stories
Professional memoir writers are creative writers who bring artistic flair to your book
Overwhelm, procrastination, and lack of resources are barriers to your project that hiring a professional bypasses
Hiring a professional writer should ensure an impeccable end product that is error-free and great-looking
Letting someone else do the hard work, while you enjoy the journey, makes this important project a far more pleasurable experience
Capturing your family’s legacy will make you a hero in your family’s eyes—forever!
If you are looking for help capturing your story or a loved one’s story, or you have already begun but need help moving to the next stage, please reach out to me.
To see examples and learn more about our process, philosophy, and how we can help you, visit our website, LifeStoryMemoir.com.
Richard Squires is a memoir writer living in New Jersey. He has written forty-plus memoirs and published fiction and book reviews in myriad literary journals. His company LifeStory Memoir helps people keep their family stories alive forever by writing their memoirs.