– by Arlen Wiebe
I'd like to let you know about the new work I'm starting.
I am offering to write, edit, and interview to help people record their personal life stories. The stories could be a few special memories from important episodes in their life, personal stories from childhood, an entire life story, or even extended family histories. I am ready to assist people wherever they are in their storytelling journey.
Is it worth telling the stories from our own lives and recording them?
We might think the only stories worth telling are about well-known people in the news or the media.
These people may seem to be living more important lives, but I don’t think that’s true. The stories of our own lives can be very important to ourselves, our families, and our friends.
There are many reasons we would want to write down or record our own stories.
Some people want their children and grandchildren to know what has happened in their lives. They don’t want these stories to be lost.
Some people need to process and make sense of their lives.
Some people have experienced traumatic or difficult events and need to share these with others.
Having meaningful conversations, telling our own stories, and recording them is valuable both to ourselves and to the people in our lives.
I have a cassette tape of my paternal grandfather being interviewed by his son and daughter-in-law. I also have a cassette tape my father made one Christmas, reading stories, singing and playing piano, and just generally talking about his life.
These two cassettes are very precious keepsakes for me, but I wish I had more recordings or writings from my grandfather, my father, and other people in my family.
I am excited to help other people on their storytelling journeys. These are the services I am offering:
- Helping people write their life stories
- Editing existing or in-progress stories
- Interviewing a storyteller or their family members
- Making audio recordings of a storyteller
- Researching family history
- Helping people print their stories in booklets, books, etc.
I would greatly appreciate your support as I start my new work.
You can read more on my website, your-life-stories.ca. I can be reached by email at arlen.wiebe.writer@gmail.com, or by phone or by text at 226.668.3352.
