Memoirs for Life LLC

A Structured Path to Your Family Legacy

From our first conversation to the final printed book, we guide you through a seamless, stress-free journey. 100% remote, professional, and private.

An overhead view of a diary where family history is written in

How It Works

Creating a memoir can feel overwhelming, but at Memoirs for Life, we make it simple. Founder Howard Grahame has developed a "Structured Creativity" methodology that breaks the massive task of a life story into manageable, enjoyable steps.

Here is the path we will walk together:

Step 1: The Discovery Call

Everything begins with a conversation. You schedule a free, no-obligation consultation via Zoom or phone.

•The Goal: We listen to your vision. Are you celebrating a birthday? Preserving a business history? Honoring a survivor?

•The Fit: We help you choose the right tier, from the focused Silver Package to the comprehensive Diamond Collection, that fits your goals and budget.

Step 2: The Agreement

Once you are confident in the vision, we formalize the partnership.

• Proposal: We send a clear agreement outlining your package details.

• The Deposit: A 50% deposit is required to officially book your project.

• Kickoff: Once the deposit is received, we schedule your initial "Life Mapping" session to begin the journey.

Step 3: The Guided Interviews (Remote)

This is the heart of the experience. You do not need to write a single word.

• Flexibility: We schedule 60-minute sessions that fit your lifestyle.

• Format: We offer interviews via Zoom, Phone, or in-person if you are local to our offices.

• Guidance: We use a structured questionnaire to unlock specific memories, sensory details, and deep wisdom.

Step 4: Ghostwriting & Narrative Shaping

While you relax, we get to work.
 
•Transcribing: We turn audio into text.
 
•Crafting: Your writer weaves the raw transcripts into a flowing, professional narrative. We capture your voice, but with the polish of a published author.
 
•Structuring: We organize the timeline, ensuring the story flows logically from chapter to chapter.

Step 5: Review & Refine

You remain in control of your story.
 
•The Draft: You receive the manuscript for review.
 
•Feedback: You let us know if we captured the tone correctly. We make necessary revisions to ensure every name, date, and detail is accurate.

Step 6: Design, Photography & Production

A great story deserves a beautiful package.

• Visuals: We integrate your family archive photos. For Platinum and Diamond clients, we provide access to one of our professional photographers to capture high-quality portraits at no extra cost.

• Layout: We professionally typeset the book, ensuring it looks like a bestseller.

• Printing: We oversee the printing process, delivering high-quality copies directly to your doorstep.


FAQ

How long does the entire process take?

Timelines vary by package. A Silver project may take 2-3 months, while a Diamond Legacy project involving extensive research can take 6-9 months or more. We move at your pace.
 

Do I have to pay everything upfront?

No. We break the investment into three milestones to ensure you are happy with the progress:

• 50% Deposit to start.
• 30% Payment after you receive the first draft.
• 20% Balance when the project is complete and ready for production.


What if I don't like the writing?

Our process includes a revision phase. Because we base the writing directly on your interviews, the voice usually feels very familiar. We work with you to tweak the tone until it feels right.


Can I add more interviews later?
Absolutely. If we uncover more stories than expected, you can always upgrade your package or add "Interview Hours" à la carte.


 

Start Your Journey Today

Your life story is a legacy waiting to be shared. Whether you are celebrating a milestone or preserving family history, we are here to guide you every step of the way.
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