Ellen Roddick

Writing Your Life Stories

When we work together to preserve your life stories, I tailor the process to fit your investment of time and money. After a free consultation, I send you a proposal outlining the process we have agreed to follow. As soon as you approve the proposal, we begin our interviews on the telephone, which allows us to work together regardless of where you live.

Your memoir can be any length, with interviews lasting for an hour or two at a time on a number of days over a period of weeks or for a few hours on a single day. You can start with just one story, if you like, and then decide whether to share more of your life. Some clients ask me to interview a sibling or old friend and include their memories of shared experiences. One client asked me to work with his attorney, who had the final word about what to include. As a personal historian, I am flexible.

When you read the manuscript of your memoir, you —

Note any changes you want.

Add photographs, news clippings, and other artifacts if you wish.

Decide if you want your memoir to be available for sale and to local libraries.

Select from bookbinding options that range from a basic paperback to a hardcover book with silk moiré endpapers, a satin bookmark ribbon, and a leather or linen binding with matching slipcase.

Choose the number of copies you want to order.

Editing Your Memoir

If you write your own memoir, I can add professional editorial polish while preserving your voice as the narrator.