Top Storytelling Questions Answered: How to Have Your Book by Christmas
Top Storytelling Questions Answered: How to Have Your Book by Christmas
Is it too early to start thinking about Christmas? Since this is the top question I've been getting lately, I feel I have the green light to open the Christmas floodgates (holiday merriment and cheer released!)
What is the question I am being asked lately?
The most asked question is: If we want to have the finished book to gift by Christmas, when do we need to start the process?
In this blog post, I'll cover a realistic timeline for life storytelling, address common misconceptions and hesitations about getting started, and show you how you CAN easily have the printed book in your hands to gift on Christmas Day.
Storytelling Timeline
Can a story, from start to finish, be completed in a couple of weeks and ready to print? Yes.
Does everyone involved have the time to dedicate to make this happen? Not usually.
And the biggest question: should life storytelling be rushed? Not ideally.
The system I designed leans towards time for contemplation, with space to let things simmer and breathe.
Life storytelling is a process; it is a process for a reason. Yes, it is wonderful to have the finished book in your hands, feel that sense of accomplishment, and know that you did it; you captured the memories, and they will be treasured for many years to come. But there is also so much enjoyment in the process of storytelling.
Capturing a life story is one of those activities you can appreciate in theory, but you really don’t know how much you will enjoy the process until you are in it. And this isn’t just for the person telling their story; it extends to friends and family who are taking part.
The storytelling process creates a chain reaction. It is rarely just one person involved. When you dive into your history, you often reach out to people from your past and present to discuss shared memories. They might also enlist other family members to reach out to extended family to find long-lost photos, or a particular photo to accompany a major moment they describe in their story. At family gatherings, conversations turn into deep dives into family history, who keeps the family photo albums, and stories no one has ever heard before.
Disclaimer: If there is a reason to speed up the process, such as an upcoming anniversary, health concerns, etc., we can do so, and with great results. When there is a particular motivation to accelerate things, everyone tends to step up to the task and give 100%.
I always tell people that if you are waiting for the perfect time to capture someone’s story, there is never a perfect time. It is better to capture someone’s story while they are still here to tell it and you are here to hear it, than to regret missing the opportunity.
For most life stories, though, the ideal timeline is 90 days. This timeline works because the process is always in motion, but at a pace most people can fit in between other obligations. If someone goes on vacation for a week or two, has a short illness, or other unexpected things pop up, this timeline allows for that.
Here is how those 90 days typically
break down:
Day 1 - The Interview
Weeks 1 to 3 - The client/family gathers about 30 photos for possible inclusion in the story and sends them to me to place in the designed first draft of the story. At the same time, I transcribe the interview and edit the content into the story format.
Once I have the photos, I design the first draft of the story and send the draft to the family to review and edit.
Weeks 4 to 6 - The client/family reviews the draft. This is when the client is able to make any and all changes to the story they would like - adding or deleting content, changing photo placement, adding in new photos, etc.
Weeks 7 to 9 - I receive the edits, redesign the book, and then send the final draft to the client/family for one last review. The client/family reviews the final draft. This is not a time to add new material, but to review the edits and check for any errors.
Week 10 - I order the physical book(s).
Weeks 11 to 12 - The client receives their printed and completed book(s).
You will see that the example timeline above keeps the process moving with action items every two to three weeks, so it keeps advancing.
So, when do you need to schedule your interview for yourself/your loved one to have your book by Christmas? Sometime in the window of September 15th through October 31st (leaning towards the early end of that window).
I would consider October 31st the last interview date that isn’t overly rushed, pushing the timeline to more of a 60-day window. Will I still conduct interviews after that date? Absolutely. Everyone involved will just need to know that it will be a MUCH quicker pace. If everyone is on board and feeling the Christmas magic, you will have the book wrapped and ready under the Christmas tree.
When You Think It Is Just Too Much Work
A common misconception is that people think the life storytelling process is all on them. It isn’t. It is all on me. Could you do all of this on your own? Absolutely! But many people wouldn’t know where to start or end. Telling a life story can feel daunting and like a heavy task.
My job is to carry that weight. And because I have told over 100 stories, it doesn’t feel that heavy to me anymore. The system works. One of the biggest aspects of my job is cheering you on to reach the finish line.
Having someone by your side gives you the motivation to keep moving towards it. You don’t need to worry about how to get there; you just need to trust in the process and follow my lead.
I compare it to my workout routine. COULD I go to the gym and work out on my own? I suppose I could, but for me, I am successful when I feel accountable to show up to class and have an instructor lead me through that day’s workout.
I will hold you accountable throughout the storytelling process to ensure that you walk away with a finished book. All you need to start this process is an open mind and a willingness to learn more about yourself and those you love.
Why You Won’t Regret It
I’ve never had a client or family member say, “I wish we hadn’t invested in life storytelling.”
It is an investment. It is a financial investment and an investment of your time. The results of this investment, though, will last for generations.
Your story, or the story of someone you love, will forever live on in the pages of your book for your family to treasure for years to come.
Your Investment: $475 for an individual, $675 for a couple
How To Get Started
Getting started is easy. Reach out to me with any lingering questions; I’ll send you the project details, and we'll coordinate a time to schedule the interview. And off we go!
Note: Interviews can be in person for the Quincy area, or remote via video call or traditional phone call. All interview options are of the same quality and garner the same results.
Ways to reach me: memoirsbymaureen@icloud.com, 217.653.1667 call/text, FB Messenger, or wave me down if you see me at Aldi, TJ Maxx, or a cross country meet.
To keep the holiday cheer going, I hope you have a Merry Halloween!
Best,
Maureen
PS Here is a little video from last year capturing the Christmas gift of life storytelling:
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