Why, exactly, are you not telling your stories?

Is your life too boring to tell people about? Do you think it's self-centered to write a memoir? Or that your kids don't care about your stories? Think again.

why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeApril 19, 2021is memoir narcissistic, is my life interesting enough to write about, how much does a personal history book cost, my kids don't care about family history Comment

Life Story Links: April 13, 2021

A curated reading list for memory keepers with recent pieces about the stories of heirlooms and family photos, preserving food memories & connecting generations.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeApril 13, 2021food memories, grandparent storytelling, stories of our stuff, curating family photosComment

Curious about your parents’ lives? Get your kids to interview them.

You might be surprised by how much your parents will open up—with fun stories, with meaningful lessons—when your kids interview them about their lives.

family historyDawn M. RoodeApril 5, 2021intergenerational storytelling, questions to ask grandparents, kids interviewing their grandparents, grandparent storytelling, grandparents and storiesComment

Life Story Links: March 30, 2021

A curated reading list for memory keepers including recent pieces about the craft of memoir, connecting generations through story, and history held in letters.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeMarch 30, 2021letter writing, the craft of memoir writing, stories about intergenerational storytellingComment

“I wish I had asked my mom that” and other heartbreaking regrets YOU can avoid

It seems obvious: We should ask our parents about their lives—lessons, loves, adventures, ancestors. Then why do so many of us wait too long and then have regrets?

family history, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeMarch 22, 2021questions to ask parents, preserving parents' stories, urgency of doing family history workComment

Life Story Links: March 16, 2021

Helpful reads for those who value memory-keeping, including conversations about legacy videos, memoir writing, and interviewing loved ones, plus life story ideas.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeMarch 16, 2021legacy videos, student resources for storytelling, memoir writing examplesComment

Meaningful conversation when your loved one is on hospice—here’s help

How to have meaningful conversation with your loved one on hospice, including the best life review questions & 4 things we all should say when someone is dying.

family history, the art of listeningDawn M. RoodeMarch 8, 2021family history interviews, hospice and life review, search for beauty at the end of life, questions to ask the dying, how to interview someone on hospiceComment

Life Story Links: March 2, 2021

From notable memoir excerpts to thoughtful pieces on language, family history, and self-identity, this curated list is full of great new reads for memory-keepers.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeMarch 2, 2021health benefits of life review, memoir excerpts, language and identityComment