Under The Orange Blossoms: An Inspirational Story of Bravery and Strength written by Cindy Benezra with MGC.
Did you grow up listening to your parents’ and grandparents’ stories? Many of us did. We’ve been regaled with tales of the “good old days,” which are generally remembered with nostalgia and often focus on happy over not-so-happy events. This might lead us to wonder if life really was as great back then as our elders would have us believe.
If you’re curious about whether a propensity for remembering positive circumstances is common, you might find it interesting to note that research data validates this tendency. An article from the American Psychological Association discusses, “the ‘socioemotional selectivity’ theory that, as people get older and become more aware of more limited time left in life, they direct their attention to more positive thoughts, activities and memories.”
That being said, most of us know that our family members’ pasts also include struggles and painful memories. Stories of this type are often expressed as teachable moments—but they have the added value of giving our relatives’ history dimension and authenticity.
Have you recorded a family member’s stories? Many people either write down an elder’s stories or record their family member relaying stories orally. We often do this with the idea that “this would make a great book.”
If you’ve had this thought, you’re right. It would make a great book.
This is not to suggest that your family member’s story will become an overnight bestseller. In fact, if the story was made into a book, you and/or your relative might choose not to sell the book at all. Some families simply want the story put into book-length form, with the ability to print copies to share within the family and among friends. Others, in contrast, plan to publish the book, sell it online, and possibly look into avenues for selling additional print and/or electronic copies.
Whichever path you choose, a book based on your elder’s life story makes an incredible gift for the elder. And while most of us are currently enjoying warmer weather and springtime flowers, the timing is perfect to get started on a book-length project. With at least 4 to 6 months required to write and produce most books, a book that’s begun soon can likely be completed before the holiday season.
There are several possibilities for writing the book. These include the elder writing it, you or another family member writing it, using a storytelling app to automatically generate a book, or using a ghostwriter.
If no one in the family is able to write the book, you may have considered a storytelling app. These are common online and have become popular in recent years.
However, using a ghostwriter provides distinct advantages over a storytelling app. Unlike an app, which only collects recorded stories and binds them “as-is” into a book, ghostwriting provides a customized, professional experience. A seasoned ghostwriter will conduct interviews, organize your relative’s stories in a cohesive, logical sequence, and edit the material appropriately.
If you’re looking for something beyond “getting stories down on a page,” ghostwriting is an excellent option. Interested in learning more? Please contact us. We’d love to discuss transforming your relative’s stories into a professionally written, compelling book to be enjoyed for generations to come.
