The Process of Writing Memoirs
We enter the process at whatever point you wish:
- at the very beginning, as your ideas for the book are just taking shape;
- mid-way along, when you're starting to lose momentum or doubt the work;
- or at the end, when you have a draft, but need an editor to polish and shape the work.
The work we do is highly individualized.
Our process is
confidential; all
research materials
are returned to
the family when
the book is finished.
First we'll talk about your project. Who is your audience? Is this a private venture or do you plan to distribute the book more widely? As a clear idea of your intentions emerges, including a general idea of how you want the finished book to look, we will devise a plan for working together.
Next I'll gather papers, correspondence, photos, and other memorabilia from or about the subject, always maintaining confidentiality. I'll interview the subject, if living, as well as family members, friends, and close associates. My questions will concern the subject's life, contributions, values, sense of humor, idiosyncrasies-all those unique shards of a human personality.
After that, the direction of the project will depend on a number of particulars. Is the subject a public figure, or private? Did he or she keep diaries or journals? How about correspondence? We'll be guided in shaping the story by the shape of the life we're rendering.
When you've approved the narrative, or text, of the memoir, we will consult with you about the overall appearance of the book. Together we'll determine cover design and print production specifications.
We capture life stories.
Some clients like to write their memories down, diary-style, and leave me to edit and shape the work. Others prefer that I interview them and write a first draft of their story—which they then read-to-edit, their thinking provoked and clarified by our conversations and by the manuscript in front of them. Still others have kept diaries or journals for many years; what such diarists need is for me to find the architecture of their story, and organize the material into book form.
Occasionally a family will ask me to write a book about a person who has died. This requires research through the subject's papers and effects, along with detailed conversations with survivors.
In all cases, I interview the subject's family, friends, and colleagues; sort through photographs and memorabilia; and conduct site visits as appropriate. In consultation with the client, I write the manuscript and make content decisions. Next comes a thorough editing.
Finally, we'll choose a publisher who will devise a mock-up of the book for you and your family to review, along with a range of options for materials and cost estimates for printing. You'll be able to choose how you want the book to look and how many copies you want produced.