Friday, June 19, 2020

Preserve Your Legacy: Write a Memoir

Memoirs ensure you will be remembered how you want to be thought of by generations to come. It's an ideal way to document family history, people and events that will inform the future with lessons learned, wisdom gained...or just to tell some good stories for reminiscence sake. 

Last year, I completed a memoir writing project in collaboration with an elderly gentleman. He had a book signing party last Father's Day, when he proudly handed out a copy to his close family members, each inscribed with a personalized message. He also sent out approximately 300 hard copies to everyone he knew. It was a great accomplishment, as the book was written over a period of years in his 90s. I was struck how he was able to remember so many details, down to full names of childhood friends. The narrative (which reads like a biographical novel) tells a powerful story of his business empire building, his World War II adventures, his romances, his offspring, and his charitable giving back to the community. It also contains a family tree, several photos to accompany the text throughout, and a photo gallery at the end. No stone left unturned. 

When he passed away this week at 98-1/2, the memoir was in demand by extended family and friends. An electronic version was created for easy distribution. It served as a handy reference to the person who presided over his memorial service. And it will live on to educate his great grandchildren about a life well lived by their ancestor against all odds during his time on earth. It was indeed a privilege to work with this man as his biographer, and friend. I honestly believe he kept on living to see the book published.

Contact me if you or someone you know wants to work with me on a memoir (832-868-6100, or eye4content@gmail.com). It takes time to plan and execute, so let's get started!


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