You’ve lived a great life. Here’s how to put it on paper

By Jill Draper

The new year is a good time to think about past years, and to record those thoughts for others as a lasting gift. There are several ways to do this.

Self-published book

“Everybody has at least one story in them,” says Anola Pickett, who has been leading a writers group at the Village Cooperative of Verona Hills for five years. Recently the group of nine residents celebrated their newly self-published book, “Potpourri, A Literary Medley,” with coffee, rolls and a reading of selections by the authors. Afterward they autographed copies purchased by other residents at the south KC senior living apartments on Wornall Road.

Many wrote about memories, ranging from escaping a near-kidnapping as a child, surviving a humorous first confession, serving as a one-woman pit crew for a drag racing Funny Car, and marching off to class to daily John Philip Sousa tunes.

“This group has given me confidence to take some risks,” says John Flaherty, a retired social worker. Billie Joe Gowler adds it has inspired her to keep a “grandma’s notebook,” jotting down memories as they occur. Her family was pleased to have a storybook compiled by her mother-in-law about her early life, and she plans to leave a similar account.

“At this point in our life a lot of things have happened,” says Sharon Potts, who noted, “sometimes you write something for fun and it turns into something else.”

Another author, Sandy Blaesing, says her granddaughter got a kick out of helping with editing.

Pickett, already the author of middle school and other books, agreed to be the group’s leader but not their instructor. She announced two rules. First, members must share with each other what they write. And second, what happens in the writers group stays in the writers group.

“I had to do a lot of arm twisting” to get the authors on board for publishing their work, she says. “But people discovered they could write when they weren’t sure.”

Audio recording

Dana Wright, KMBZ radio host, began recording people’s memories for friends and relatives as a hobby. Now she has a side business at mylegacyrecording.com. Her $800 fee includes setting up professional equipment, interviewing and editing. She usually comes to a client’s home, but can also work by phone.

“Some of the stories are just unbelievable, but they’re all impactful,” she says. “It’s been a gift for me as well. I’ve learned so much about history from people who actually lived through things.”

Wright believes her experience as a journalist makes the recordings more meaningful. “You have to know how to ask questions and also be compassionate and empathetic.”

Her favorite questions include: What childhood games did you play? What was the first car you drove? What are some sayings or songs special to your family? How did you get the kids to sleep? What do you remember about the first time you saw your spouse?

“Well, I wouldn’t call her a beauty,” answered one man.

Wright laughs at this memory, but points out that life is not a white picket fence, and every family has heartaches. She’s especially moved by stories of women who suffered loss, such as the miscarriage or death of a baby, yet were expected to have dinner on the table that same night.

At the end of her recordings, she asks the client to say something directly to their children and grandchildren, “like a little love letter.”

Then again, it’s not all about the stories. It’s about hearing a loved one speak. “There’s something so powerful about the spoken voice,” she says. “Many have played parts of these recordings at funerals.”

Courtney Cooper runs another memory recording business at chapteronerecordings.com. She charges $500 for a two-hour session, editing and digital delivery of MP3 files. She works mainly by Zoom.

“I use the camera so I can watch for nonverbal cues while a person is telling their stories, but I don’t save the video images,” she says.

Her recordings have included young children’s voices and goals for growing up (a great
gift for Mother’s Day and graduations, she says), plus audio tributes for weddings, anniversaries and retirement. For these situations she’ll record 10 to 20 people (or more) sharing fun stories and words of wisdom for the big event.

“There is a tremendous amount of assumed knowledge between loved ones,” she notes.

“Families and friends who take time to ask questions and listen closely will learn so much more about each other. It’s magical, and I’m honored to preserve these thoughts and memories for them.”

Library resources

The Mid-Continent Public Library offers a free oral history program so that card holders can borrow a Tell Me a Story kit to record their memories at home. The kit includes a recording device, instructions and sample questions.

Or card holders can make an appointment to use the library’s Oral History Room which features professional grade microphones, noise reduction paneling and audio software. This room is located at the Midwest Genealogy Center in Independence. Call 816-252-7228 for a reservation.

Also at the center is a do-it-yourself Memory Lab with equipment for digitizing materials such as home movies, audio tapes, recipe books and family photographs. Walk-ins are allowed, but it’s best to book ahead for one of their 3-hour time slots. See more at memorylab@mymcpl.org.