Your family stories tips: Don’t do your family stories before reading this!

Your family stories tips: Don't do your family stories before reading this! A woman with a girl and two boys sit on the edge of an ocean pool kicking water while laughing. Photo by Yulianto Poitier from Pexels

Surefire ideas to celebrate family history + save BIG

It was my birthday recently!

And it was special this year because it didn’t get derailed by COVID-19 restrictions.

Also I managed to catch up with family who I haven’t seen for ages.

Certainly we shared some great times and many stories.

So to celebrate I want to share my top your family stories tips for interviewing loved ones about their lives.

Plus keep reading because I have a super Your Family Stories System birthday deal for you at the end!

Related article – How to document family stories: This might be the best way in 4 steps! 

An earlier video on this topic was first published here.

Your family stories tips: Don’t wait

When is a good time to help a loved one write an account of their memories?

Yesterday or today!

Indeed there is no reason to delay.

For example, our memories are stored in our brain in amazing ways but you don’t want to leave it too long to write them down.

So it’s better to have time on your side and get started.

Certainly bad health can make it difficult or impossible to start, continue or finish a writing project.

Therefore your family stories tips No. 1 is that life and time are finite and motivating.

Related article – 3 amazing ‘bonus’ reasons to record a loved one’s life stories

Your Family Stories System. Father and girl on his shoulders with arms spread wide at the beach.

Take the first step

None of us are expert, superstar writers.

But this shouldn’t hold us back.

Certainly it’s better to give it a go than have nothing recorded at all.

Because you only ‘fail’ if you don’t start.

So your family stories tips No. 2 is tee up an interview with your grandparent, parent or other relative. 

And I guarantee you will both smile when you lock in a time to talk.

Related article – Writing challenge – part 1: Join in some stay-at-home Easter fun! 

Pick an idea and try

Not ready to sit down and write a your family stories book?

Remember life stories can be recorded in many different ways!

Indeed compile a feature article or share interview audio or video with friends and family.

Certainly don’t feel locked into a specific format.

So family stories tips No. 3 is pick a format and give it a go. 

And if it doesn’t work try something else.

Related article – Life-story format ideas: See how easily you can record family stories or a life history

Related article – Feature article guide: Helping you write a life story super fast!

Final say: Your family stories tips

Family stories help us understand our past and who we are.

And with a little effort they are easily recorded, shared and celebrated.

So give it a try and remember these top your family stories tips: don’t wait, your writing is good enough, and pick a format to start today!

In short, I want as many people as possible to finish an autobiography, memoir, biography or other life-story project.

Because everyone has a story to tell.

Happy writing!

Free gift!

Want to take a sneak peek? Get the first few sections of the Your Family Stories System for free. Sign up here! 

Your say

Do you have a question about recording family stories? I always love hearing from different people. Drop me an email or leave a reply in the comments section at the end of this article.

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