Write Your Memoir
Greatest gift to family. Easier than you think.
Easy services that do it for you
- StoryWorth — $99/yr. Weekly question, year-end book.
- Remento — record voice answers, AI transcribes.
- Storypath — guided life story prompts.
- iLifeStory — pro interviews + edits + book.
- StoryCorps — free archived at Library of Congress.
- None require writing skills — just answer questions.
DIY memoir approach
- 30 minutes/day — much easier than "writing a book."
- Voice memo while walking or driving.
- One memory at a time — no chronological order needed.
- Bullet points fine — polish later.
- Mix with photos.
- Aim for 30,000-50,000 words = ~200-page book.
Memory prompts
- Earliest childhood memory.
- Your parents — what made them special.
- School memories.
- First job.
- How you met your spouse.
- Major historical events you lived through.
- Most difficult challenge.
- Proudest accomplishment.
- Lessons learned.
- Advice for grandchildren.
Voice-to-text tools
- iPhone Voice Memos — record + transcribe (free).
- Otter.ai — free + AI transcription.
- Google Docs Voice Typing — free.
- Word Dictate — built into Microsoft Word.
- Talk for 5 min = 750-word chapter.
- Edit later — first capture matters most.
Self-publish
- Amazon KDP — print on demand, FREE to publish.
- Lulu — quality printing, family copies.
- Blurb — photo books, premium.
- Shutterfly — easy + cheap photo books.
- Print 5-20 copies for family.
- Cost: $5-20/copy print on demand.
- Hardcover $15-30/copy.
Don't wait until perfect
Most family memoirs never finish. Imperfect + complete > perfect + never. Quick story bullet points beat polished prose. Start TODAY with one memory. Family will treasure rough draft over no draft. Many seniors regret not asking parents — be the answer for your kids.