The Process
Many people who would like to write their memoirs have trouble knowing where to start, how to focus, and what steps to follow. They typically have many photos, newspaper clippings, and mementos in multiple places, important historical dates jotted down on various sheets of paper, and favorite stories to share that have never been written. The thought of taking on a writing project is so overwhelming that most people never begin.
DESIGN: I lead my customers through a process that makes memoir creation fun. We begin by determining the memoir’s audience, purpose, and scope. Who do they want to read the memoir, why are they writing it, and what years/topics/events do they want it to cover? These elements may seem basic, but they are important stakes to get in the ground at the beginning.
To document the memoir design, I help my customer create a high-level outline, a family events timeline, and a family tree. I also have them write the book’s Preface, which covers the who, what, and why of the memoir’s contents. I also ask if there is a date by which they want their memoir complete (a birthday, anniversary, family gathering, etc.)
GATHER INFORMATION: Following the book design, I begin gathering source material from the customer - by tape recording conversations with them (typically in their home) and obtaining photos, newspaper articles, letters, and other “items of meaning” they want in the memoir. These sessions are fun. I let my customer know in advance what topics we’ll discuss, then it’s a matter of letting them share stories. I ask a few guiding questions along the way, but I mainly listen. Customers are amazed at how quickly time passes when they step back into their own pasts.
WRITE FIRST DRAFT: I transcribe conversations, scan photos and other items, and write a first draft that weaves material together while conforming to our high-level outline. The manuscript is professionally edited by Suzanne Kelsey of Ames, Iowa. (You can find out more about writer/editor Suzanne Kelsey at her web site: www.suzannekelsey.com)
Note: Some customers prefer to write all or some of their manuscript, which is fine. This process accommodates whatever amount of information they would care to create themselves.
REVIEW DRAFT: My customer reads and reviews the first draft – making whatever additions or corrections are required. I encourage the customer to have others read the draft, too. The more reviewers the better. I incorporate comments and return a confirmation draft to my customer.
BOOK LAYOUT: At this point, the book layout phase begins, which involves bringing the text and photos together to create the way the book will look when it is printed. At this point, I discuss topics with the customer such as the number of copies they want printed, book size, cover (hard/soft), type size of font, type of binding, etc. These are items that relate to the final look of the book and details the printer will need for providing a printing estimate. Suzanne Kelsey also does a final copymark of the manuscript. At this point in the process she checks for details such as capitalization, spelling, formatting, etc.
PRINTING AND PROOFING: The printer creates a digital proof for the customer’s confirmation. Upon customer signoff of the proof, copies are printed.
CELEBRATE: When the copies return from the printer, we celebrate our efforts!
That’s it. I've followed this process many times with my customers. It structured. It’s repeatable. It’s fun. And it produces results.
