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Do It Yourself or Hire Help?

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DO IT YOURSELF OR HIRE HELP?
You’ve decided that you’d like to compile your life story— something to show the kids or grandchildren life was like when you were growing up, and to let them see what made you the person you’ve become. For the writers among us, a project like this is a zesty challenge. However, not everyone has a hankering to grab a pen and paper. If you are considering whether to do it yourself or get help, the following questions can guide your decision.

Have I given myself a deadline?

Depending upon your vision for the final product, it can take a large chunk of your time to get the things down on paper that you’d like to include, and then organize it into some kind of finished product. It’s a good idea to estimate how long this will take you, and then triple it. If your goal is to give a book of your stories as a holiday gift and you want to do it yourself, you’d better get started right now.

Do I have the skills to finish he project in the way I’d like to see it completed?

Although there are countless ways to compile your stories, most people end up choosing some sort bound volume. These can range from a typewritten collection of stories with a simple spiral binding done at the local copy shop, to a volume professionally laid out and bound into paperback or hardcover book, with photos included and a custom cover. If you want a more polished book, you will need skills not only in writing and basic editing, but computerized layout and photo modification as well. It can be a lot of fun to learn these skills, but it will take time and proper computer software.

What personal benefits am I looking to gain from this process?

Writing the story of your own life can be tremendously rewarding. Research in recent years has suggested that writing about your own experiences— especially experiences with an emotional punch— can bring about improvement in your memory, your mood, and yes, even your physical and mental health! For those who chose to hire help, the benefits to you include more free time, professional guidance, an objective participant to give you feedback on your content and presentation.

How much money am I willing to spend?

On the surface, it may seem that doing it yourself would certainly be less expensive. That may or may not be true, depending on your current skills and how you want your finished memoir to be packaged. There’s no getting around the fact that this is a project that demands a great deal of time. An experienced Personal Historian can help direct your focus to complete a project more quickly that you might be able to do it on your own. The services of a Personal Historian don’t come cheap, but they are a bargain when you consider the many hours of labor that go into not just interviewing, but also transcribing, editing, layout design, photo preparation, revising, arranging printing, etc. You will pay for his or her time, expertise, and equipment. He or she already has the technical tools and knowledge you need. Your entire family will benefit, and you may be able to spread the cost among several family members.

If you choose to tackle this yourself, I recommend that you take a class in personal history or memoir writing, or join a group focused on memoir writing. Check your local continuing education listings or recreation department for listings. Groups and classes can keep you motivated and give you some terrific ideas. If you want to consider hiring someone to help, check www.personalhistorians.org to find a Personal Historian in your area.
-Linda Smith

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