“I wish I knew why Mom moved to New York when she was just 16.” “I wish Papa told me how he makes his Sunday sauce.” Don’t wish for stories; ask for them.

family history, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeFebruary 24, 2025ask your parents questions before it's too late, how do i get my parents to tell me stories about their life, i never got to ask my parents about their memories before they died, how to preserve a legacy for my childrenComment

No readers, no matter—your life story benefits YOU

Walking down memory lane can be fun, but writing about your life has big benefits beyond that, including making meaning out of your lived experience.

why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeJuly 15, 2024finding meaning in m y life through writing, how memoir helps form identity, the benefits of writing about my life, psychological benefits of writing memoirComment

Why a recent life writing book isn’t on my recommended list

It’s important to me to stress some sense of urgency about writing about your life—but I don’t think you’ll have regrets if you don’t write about it ALL.

dawn's musings, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeJune 10, 2024why you should not worry about forgetting your life, don't write your memoir from a place of fear, worry about forgetting my lifeComment

Are you weighed down by the stuff of your family’s memories?

Boxes of old letters, family photos, and mementos from a generation ago can feel like a burden if they’re passed down without context. What to do with them.

family history, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeMarch 25, 2024what to do with box of family memories, i don't want my parents stuff, what to do with heirlooms and old letters, who is the custodian of your family history archive, stories of our stuff, family heirloomsComment

“It was more for me than anyone else—what a surprise”

You may think you are writing about your life for your family—to honor your ancestors, to give a gift to your descendants. But the truth is deeper. You’ll see.

dawn's musings, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeNovember 20, 2023is writing about my life good for me, is writing memoir conceited, the gift of telling my storiesComment

Wish you were here, Mom

When Mother’s Day is hard due to feelings of loss, allowing ourselves to linger in our memories may help (and, yes, hurt). A tribute made in grief, and love.

remember lost loved ones, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeMay 12, 2023healing grief through remembrance, Christmas memories, sharing stories about lost loved ones Comment

Why a “coffee table” life story book?

After we record your personal history interviews, I craft your story and photos into an heirloom coffee table book—not a video, not an audio file. Here’s why.

book ideas & inspiration, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeMarch 20, 2023why make a life story book, is a coffee table book good for family history, books vs video for family historyComment

Don’t put your memoir on your bucket list.

If writing your memoir means enough to you to put it on a bucket list, please read this—I’ll help you easily move it from future project to present-day endeavor.

memoir & writing, why tell your stories?Dawn M. RoodeNovember 21, 2022how to start my memoir now, writing my memoir, steps to write a memoirComment