Life Story Links: August 7, 2023
“Telling our stories to someone who is really listening offers us the experience of being seen, of being felt—as in, I feel you. I feel your heart. Can you feel mine? Can you feel the warmth of my caring?”
—Anne Lamott
Vintage poster produced in 1936 or 1937 by the Work Projects Administration; image courtesy of the Library of Congress Prints and Photographs Division, Digital Collection. The posters were designed to publicize exhibits, community activities, theatrical productions, and health and educational programs in seventeen states and the District of Columbia between 1936 to 1943.
More stories of our stuff
GIVE VOICE TO YOUR HEIRLOOMS
Last week I wrote about how to capture and preserve the stories behind your family heirlooms, whether you’ve got just a few sentimental items or a house full of passed-down jewelry and valuable antiques.
12,795 POSSESSIONS!
“Now that there is the book, everything can catch fire and at least I will have this reminder that it existed, that it was there.” Meet the woman who photographed every single thing she owns.
Memoirists & biographers speak
ON WRITING, DISCOVERY & DREAMS
“Write to expand your understanding of, and connection to, the world we live in; write to expand your understanding of, and connection to, yourself.” A short but lovely interview with memoirist and memoir teacher Beth Kephart.
ONE BIOGRAPHER’S QUEST
On a recent episode of the podcast A Life in Biography, host Carl Rollyson (author of Biography: A User’s Guide) talks to fellow biographer Marsha Gordon about researching, writing, and publishing her new book. Listen here:
Memories and memoir
THE PAST THROUGH THE LENS OF THE PRESENT
“Memoir should not be subject to rigorous, journalistic lie-detecting. The stories may be true but rarely are they factual.” Darcey Gohring on telling the emotional truth in our life writing.
TIME AND MEMORY
“What we remember tends to be distinctive, emotionally loaded, and deemed worthy of processing and reflecting upon.... Our memories are centered on our life stories and what affected us personally the most.” What about pandemic memories?
EDITING FOR CLARITY & LONGEVITY
Three things every family historian should do during the editing process to ensure that their research and family stories are understood and appreciated by their readers—even 20 years from now.
LIFELONG GIFTS
Want to create a new family heirloom or tradition? The folks at Fatherly recommend checking out a Reddit thread of sentimental gifts to help level-up your gift-giving.
Historical riches
10 MILLION NAMES PROJECT
“All Americans, Black Americans and white Americans, have parts of the puzzle in their pockets or in their homes or in their attics or their closets. Bring those forth, whether they’re old letters or diaries or plantation ledgers.”
DUTCH HOLOCAUST AUTHOR DIES AT 103
“In many interviews [Marga Minco] gave over the years, she always said the reason that she wrote about her family was that she wanted them to be remembered for longer than they lived.”
...and a few more links
Short takes