You’ve decided Mum’s stories need to be written down. Or Dad’s. Or Nan’s. Maybe there’s a big birthday coming up, a retirement, or a wedding anniversary, and a life story interview feels like the perfect way to give them something that truly matters.
Then the questions start. What actually happens in a life story interview? Will they feel put on the spot? How much do you need to do? And how do a few conversations become a beautiful printed book?
I hear these questions all the time, so I’ve laid out the whole process here, step by step. No surprises, no jargon. Just a clear picture of what to expect when you hand your family’s stories to me.
Getting Started
Step 1: An initial chat with you
Most of my life story projects begin with a family member rather than the storyteller themselves. Often it’s a son or daughter planning a gift, or a grandchild who’s realised there are stories only one person can tell.
We start with a complimentary, no obligation chat of about 10 to 15 minutes. You tell me a little about the person whose story we’ll be capturing, what prompted the idea, and what you’d love the finished keepsake to feel like. I’ll answer any questions and give you an honest sense of whether this service is the right fit.
Step 2: Choose your package and personalise the questions
Once we’ve talked, we agree on the package that suits your family best. The Keepsake, Legacy and Heirloom Collections all include the same personal, one-on-one attention from me. The difference is depth: how many interviews, how many topics, and how many pages in the finished book.
This is also where the real planning begins. Together, we discuss and personalise the questions I’ll ask in the life story interview. You might want to hear about a childhood on the farm, the year they emigrated, how they met their partner, or the life lessons they’d want the grandkids to remember. You know the stories your family treasures (and the ones you’ve always wondered about), so your input here is gold.
Step 3: Sign the agreement and pay your deposit
To lock everything in, you’ll sign a simple agreement outlining what’s included in your package, and pay a deposit. This secures your place in my schedule and means we can move straight on to the part everyone enjoys most.
The Life Story Interview
Step 4: Arrange a suitable interview time with the storyteller
Next, I arrange a time that works for the person being interviewed. There’s no rush and no pressure. We pick a day and time when they’re feeling relaxed and fresh.
Interviews take place over Zoom, or in person depending on location. Either way, a life story interview feels much more like a relaxed cuppa and a chat than a formal interview. I guide the conversation gently, follow the threads that light them up, and give them space to remember. Many people tell me afterwards how much they enjoyed it, and some find it quite healing.
And if there’s a memory they’d rather not share, that’s completely fine. The storyteller is always in control of what’s included.
Step 5: Further interviews – Depending on your chosen package
One conversation often sparks another. A story about a first job leads to a memory of a favourite boss, which leads to a tale about the day everything went wrong.
Depending on your package, we’ll have further interview sessions to dig deeper into those chapters:
- Keepsake Collection: 2 sessions of up to 1.5 hours
- Legacy Collection: 3 sessions of up to 2 hours
- Heirloom Collection: 4 sessions of up to 2 to 2.5 hours
Spreading the conversations out also gives memories time to surface between sessions. It’s amazing what comes back to someone overnight.
Writing the Stories
Step 6: I draft a series of short stories
This is where I take my interview notes and get to work. Rather than one long, dense biography, I write a series of short stories, each one capturing a moment, a chapter or a lesson from their life.
Short stories are easy to read, easy to share, and perfect for dipping in and out of. Most importantly, I write them in the storyteller’s own voice, so when the family reads them, they can hear the person behind every word.
Step 7: Draft submitted for your review
Once the stories are drafted, I send them through for review. This is the chance for you and the storyteller to read through everything, check names, dates and places, and let me know if anything needs adjusting.
Maybe a detail needs correcting, or a story reminds them of something else they’d love to add. Depending on your package, you’ll have one, two or up to three rounds of edits.
Step 8: Content finalised and approved
Once every story feels just right, the written content is finalised and approved. Nothing goes into the finished book without your approval.
Bringing the Stories to Life
Step 9: Gather your photos
Now for the fun part. I’ll ask you to send through photos to sit alongside the stories. Old wedding photos, school portraits, holiday snaps, the family dog, the first house. Photos bring the stories to life and help younger generations put faces to names.
Each package includes a set number of images plus a cover image (10, 20 or 30, depending on your package). Now is a great excuse to pull out the old albums and shoeboxes together.
Step 10: Artwork prepared for review
I then bring the stories and photos together in a designed layout, ready for you to review. You’ll see how the finished keepsake will look, page by page.
Step 11: Artwork finalised
Any final tweaks are made and the artwork is signed off. You’ll also receive a PDF version that’s yours to download, share and keep forever. This is perfect for family members living interstate or overseas.
Step 12: Print!
The best bit. Your life story is printed and delivered, ready to be unwrapped, read, passed around the table, and treasured for generations. Depending on your package, that’s a printed booklet or a set of beautiful hardcover books for the family. The items will be delivered to you once they arrive from the printers. Your family will love them!
Why the Process Matters
I created this service after capturing my own dad’s stories before he passed away. I know firsthand how precious these conversations are.
That’s why I personally guide every step myself. I’m the one who chats with you first, the one who listens during every interview, and the one who writes every word. Nothing is handed off, rushed or squeezed into a generic template.
The result is far more than a record of dates and events. It’s a gift that connects generations and keeps a loved one’s voice alive long after the conversation ends.
Ready to Get Started?
If there’s someone in your family whose stories deserve to be told, let’s have a chat. Book a free 10 to 15 minute consultation and together we’ll plan a life story interview that does their story justice.
You can also explore my life story writing packages to see what’s included in each collection.