“I’m scared.”

Are you nervous about undertaking a life story project? Working with a personal historian or memoir coach can help alleviate many of the most common fears.

memoir & writing, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeApril 28, 2025common fears about writing my life story, how to get over fears about writing my memoir, what are common fears about writing about my lifeComment

Life Story Links: April 22, 2025

Dawn Roode’s curated roundup for the week of April 22, 2024 includes great recent reads on memoir, family history, life story writing, and legacy preservation.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeApril 22, 2025curated list of stories for family historians, personal history in the news, family history in the news, legacy news roundupComment

Become a family history detective (the fun way!)

There’s way more to family history than clicking on digital hints and scouring online genealogy sites. Here, three ideas for tracking family history clues IRL.

family historyDawn M. RoodeApril 14, 2025uncovering family history like a detective, ways to uncover family history besides online genealogy sites, family history trips and heritage travelComment

Life Story Links: April 8, 2025

With three weeks’ worth of news, the curated roundup for April 8, 2025, is overflowing with great reads on memoir, family history, and life story preservation.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeApril 8, 2025curated list of stories for family historians, personal history in the news, family history in the news, legacy news roundupComment

“Who listens to you?”

We are a world of talkers, but what we need is to listen, and to be listened to. Find inspiration from author Kate Murphy and personal historian Dawn Roode.

the art of listening, dawn's musingsDawn M. RoodeMarch 31, 2025kate murphy book you're not listening review, how listening strengthens empathy, the power of listeningComment

Why you need emotional distance when writing memoir

Is there ever really a ‘right’ time to start writing your memoir? There’s not, in my opinion, but here are two questions to ask yourself to help you decide.

memoir & writingDawn M. RoodeMarch 24, 2025writing about trauma in memoir, when is the right time to write about my life\, how to get emotional distance when writing memoirComment

Life Story Links: March 18, 2025

Dawn Roode’s curated roundup for this week is overflowing with recommended reads for family historians, personal biographers, and memory-keepers.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeMarch 18, 2025curated list of stories for family historians, personal history in the news, family history in the news, legacy news roundupComment

Beware of family history project creep!

You’ve decided to do SOMETHING with all that family history stuff you’ve gathered—but somehow your project keeps growing. Here’s how to cross the finish line.

family historyDawn M. RoodeMarch 10, 2025avoid family history project creep, how to organize all my family history stuff, overwhelmed by genealogy papers and family history photosComment