But no matter where you live, as you spend time with family and friends this holiday season (in person or just via Skype, Zoom, or FaceTime), record some of your family history and those great stories that are told over and over again every time the family gets together.
Tell them you want to record some of your family history as well as favorite stories from your parents, aunts, uncles, cousins, etc. so you will never forget this information.
You just never know when you'll want to use some special snippet of your own family history in one of your books or short stories.
Plus, it's always a good idea to have your grandparents and parents sit down before a tape recorder and simply tell the story of their lives so you'll have this information to pass on to future generations.
Try it!
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4 comments:
Suzanne,
Thank you for this article. Family gatherings can be a rich trove of stories for use in our writing. Getting their permission right on the spot to tape it a great idea since most of us carry our smartphone and it can be used as a recorder. I've also started using an app called TapeACall which not only records the call but also through AI technology will transcribe it (not perfect but way better than doing it by hand).
Personal experience stories are also something that almost any magazine could publish.
Terry
Suzanne, this is something everyone should do. I regret that I didn't 'interview' my grandparents and even my parents. Lost family history is a sad thing.
You have caused me to go dig up a few of my old tape recordings. I know I taped my mom at least once. Thanks.
Carolyn Howard-Johnson
Wonderful advice, Suzanne! Thanks for the reminder and encouragement to seek out family history - lots of riches there.
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