Homemade Biography: How to Collect, Record, and Tell the Life Story of Someone You Love

How well do you really know the older people in your family? And how will you make sure their stories will be preserved for generations to come? Homemade Biography is a fun and practical guide to recording a relative’s story so it will never be forgotten. New York Times bestselling author Tom Zoellner, who wrote his own grandmother’s biography, draws on years of interviewing and writing experience to provide:

• More than 300 questions designed to provke vivid responses
• Case studies of successful family biographies
• A revolutionary technique for writing with grace and energy
• Ways of finding a connective theme buried in a jumble of facts
• Strategies for dealing with sensitive topics
• Professional methods of editing for quality and accuracy
• Tips for making your relative’s story a part of the permanent historical record

Most of us think about bringing a tape recorder or a notebook to a visit with an older relative, but few actually do it. This clear-eyed manual gives you all the expertise you’ll need to finish what could be one of the most fulfilling conversations you’ll ever have.