Recipe for remembering

Our food memories—sneaking tastes of Nonna’s sauce from the pot, learning to grill ribs from Dad—are worth preserving. Ideas to easily capture stories & recipes.

food memories, book ideas & inspirationDawn M. RoodeAugust 19, 2019family history writing, recipes passed down through generations hold meaning, preserving family recipes for future, course resourcesComment

Life Story Links: August 13, 2019

A wealth of first-person writing that probes the depths of self-reflection and identity, plus pieces on family history surprises, the art of interviewing & more.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeAugust 13, 2019oral history and immigration, value of storytelling, interviewing techniques Comment

Announcing new resources toolkit

Discover family history, life story writing, and photo management guides in our Toolkit, where you can download free resources to help you preserve your legacy.

photo legacy, memoir & writing, remember lost loved onesDawn M. RoodeAugust 5, 2019free downloads, life story writing prompts, family history guidesComment

Life Story Links: July 30, 2019

A memoir with a distinctive format, why the stories of yesterday matter today, life story writing advice, recommendations for first person reads, and more.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeJuly 30, 2019memoir writing, preserving the past for the next generation, stories behind family photosComment

The ultimate wedding day groom gift

Searching for a groom gift beyond the traditional watch or cufflinks? Surprise him with an heirloom book expressing your love and gratitude—meaningful, unique.

book ideas & inspiration, gift ideas, weddingDawn M. RoodeJuly 25, 2019wedding day groom gift, first family heirloomComment

When a parent doesn’t want to talk about their past

Why it's sometimes easier to talk about our life experiences with a stranger, and how to get a reluctant storyteller to genuinely open up about his or her past.

the art of listening, family historyDawn M. RoodeJuly 22, 2019difficult family history stories, painful memories, preserving life stories, essential reading, personal history interviewsComment

Life Story Links: July 15, 2019

Memoir suggestions to inspire your own autobiographical writing, business-building courses, and lots of first-person pieces that reveal the powers of story.

curated roundupsDawn M. RoodeJuly 15, 2019value of storytelling, first person storytelling, family history writingComment

The vignette: What to read to be inspired

Memoir reading suggestions to inspire your own vignette-style life story writing, from Annie Dillard and Kelly Corrigan to Robert Fulghum and Sandra Cisneros.