"Your past is your story up to now. The future is the story yet to come. The present is where you live with that experience, your hopes and your dreams."

Opening Remarks: Fast Track to the Holidays

Now is the time to get into gear if you are planning on a personal history project you’d like to be done before the end of the year. If you act quickly and the life story project is not too big it could be done in time, but you’d need to work steadily. This is where a professional can really help keep you on track. The PricelessLegacy LifeStory Package is a good option if you need a quick turnaround with a great final project.

Personal Historians were in the news in New Mexico thanks to an article in Mature Life magazine of the Albuquerque Journal newspaper. I’m grateful to have been mentioned.

You are receiving this e-zine because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. If a friend DID forward this to you consider subscribing by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.

While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: House Histories

Where you live certainly has an influence on your life - and your life story. Over the years I've lived in many houses. This was especially true growing up. Dad was in the Air Force and we moved frequently when I was young. We inhabited our share of base houses, but also had some times living off-base. Sometimes this was because there weren't any houses on the Air Force base available and we'd be on the waiting list. Other times it was because Dad was deployed so we lived with the "civilians".

Base houses are built in blocks and like track houses are neighborhoods of pretty much the same structure, look and size. Military dependents have their own culture and as kids we'd all relate to moving around a lot. It made it difficult to create longlasting friendships, but most of us kids were also pretty resilient and quick to make new friends.

Some people have had the experience of growing up in one house for their entire childhood. Maybe there were multiple generations in the house. This provides a center of family history ready to be mined. We can learn a lot about our personal history by the houses we lived in. Here's an interesting article from the Muscatine Journal about a big home built in 1896 that was recently saved from the wrecking ball - and just in the nick of time.

An enjoyable short personal history book by Sharon Melton Lippincott, The Albuquerque Years - My Life As a Preschooler, includes significant details about the modest home she and her family lived in when she was a little girl. She recalls the layout, the various rooms, what the outside was like and ties memories to it. She even includes sketches of the floor plan as she remembers them. I think writing about where you lived and what those abodes were like are great ways to spark memories and make for good content in your story. Find out more about Sharon Lippincott at her The Heart and Craft of Life Writing site.

Tracing the genealogy of your home or other building is the subject of this About.com article. The Wiki information found here will give you some good steps to research the history of your house. You might also investigate the historical societies where you live, particularly if you live in an historic neighborhood.

The house or houses you grew up in are filled with memories. Do your “home” work and you very well could uncover some excellent material for your life story.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

MemoryPress Books are a great way to share your life story. You can create beautiful books that commemorate a wedding, anniversary, graduation, career, your life story, funeral book or for any worthwhile reason.

You can start your MemoryPress Book process right away and for just $50. When you purchase your $50 publishing credit, you use MemoryPress FREE. It’s an incredible and user-friendly online way to build your story into a book. Upload pictures, invite others to contribute writing, select a cover and revise, edit and proof your book and then a turnkey process binds and prints it. Your entire $50 will go straight to publishing when you are finished with your memory book!

You can do the whole thing yourself with great customer support and instructions. If you find you need more help, like a writer or editor, I am available for hire to assist you and get that long awaited story to print. You can find out more at here.

Association of Personal Historians

This organization boasts hundreds of members who work in the field of personal history, “saving lives one story at a time”. You can find someone to help you with a memoir, biography, video life story, oral history, book binding and production and much more. You can also find some interesting and informative articles about family history preservation as well as resources for aspiring personal historians. I am a proud member since 2003. Details here.

SiteBuild It! 2.0

The new SiteBuild It! is a truly great way to build a web presence that is much more than a web site. You can build an online business with all the tools you need without having to be technology savvy. Search engine optimization, keyword brainstorming, interactive content and much more. I’ve personally used SBI for over six years and I’m convinced it is the best value around. SBI 2.0 has just rolled out so you get the best version ever – without a price increase!

Whatever your web needs you should definitely investigate SBI before buying something that won’t do what you need. Save time and expense and follow the formula for success that so many others have already discovered.

Closing Information

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert