Getting someone to help write your life story
You don't have to write your life story alone. Often the best memoirs come from a conversation — a parent talking and a son, daughter or grandchild listening.
Who can help
- A family member — they know the names and places, and it's time spent together.
- A friend or carer — sometimes it's easier to tell stories to someone outside the family.
- A professional writer — some people pay a ghostwriter. This can be costly, so many families do it themselves.
For the helper: how to run an interview
- Keep sessions short — 30 to 45 minutes is plenty.
- Choose a quiet, comfortable spot with a cup of tea.
- Record the conversation on a phone so you don't have to take notes.
- Use open questions: “Tell me about…” rather than yes-or-no questions. Our 100 life story questions are a good place to start.
- Bring old photographs to spark memories.
- Let silences happen. Memories often come after a pause.
- Write it up in their words, not yours.
Using old recordings and letters
Many families already have treasures: cassette tapes, video, letters, diaries, or interviews held by a library. These can be turned into text and become part of the life story — even after someone has passed away.
Real examples
Fred and Hazel Chapman's life stories on Memoir Hive were put together from their own words, including a 1988 interview held by the State Library of Western Australia. Their family photographs and Hazel's paintings sit alongside their stories.
Respecting their wishes
Always ask before sharing someone's story publicly. Let them read it and change anything they're not happy with. It's their life — they decide what is told.
How Memoir Hive helps
Memoir Hive lets family members be invited to help with a life story, so you can work on it together from different homes. You can also gift a memoir to a parent or grandparent.