Question 1

What is a memoir?

Accepted Answer

A memoir is a written account of your life based on personal knowledge and recollection. It can be a full account of your life so far or about a significant chapter or moment in your life only.

Question 2

How is a memoir different from an autobiography?

Accepted Answer

A memoir is sourced from personal knowledge and recollection of the history of a person's life. It comes from the French word memoire which means memory. A memoir can be written by the subject or relayed to a ghost-writer. It communicates the subject's perception of their memories that is emotionally accurate but not fact-checked.

An autobiography is usually written by the subject and is more of a historical account and fact-checked. Historians will often use autobiographies as sources.

Question 3

What's wonderful about having a memoir?

Accepted Answer

You will have a written account of your life thus far as recalled by you today, keeping those memories safe for you and generations afterwards to read, enjoy, be inspired and remember you always.

You will be reminded of all your amazing achievements, challenges, tragedies and joys across the trajectory of your life. You will be reminded of the many people who shaped your life and helped you get to where you are today.

Your memoir details all the experiences that have shaped who you are and will give readers like your family and friends a deeper understanding of who you are and what you have endured.

It provides a poignant guidebook on life for future generations as you impart wisdom you have gained from your experiences.

It makes a great gift for your loved ones who are yet to know about the amazing life you led before they knew you.

Question 4

How does the memoir writing process work?

Accepted Answer

You are in control of the memoir writing process. We will organise regular/periodic interviews with you of 1-hour each when you are available to talk about your life in any order you choose. From the interviews, we will construct your story arc and draft your manuscript based on the story arc and detail that follow. You can then review the manuscript until it is finalised to your satisfaction. The number of interviews depends on the product you purchase.

Question 5

What can I expect during the interview?

Accepted Answer

The first interview is designed to help you recall the most significant moments in your life and become comfortable with talking about yourself and your life. To help you remember, our writer will ask you questions aimed at jogging your memory for greater recall.

We will start to construct the story arc. Subsequent interviews will focus on finalising the areas in your life story you wish to include in your memoir and filling in the detail for the life events nominated for inclusion in your memoir.

Question 6

How long does it take to complete a memoir?

Accepted Answer

The length of time it takes to deliver a memoir depends on the product you purchase, your availability for the interviews, and your availability in reviewing the manuscript and providing feedback to finalise it.

Immediately after the first interview we can provide an estimate on how long it will take to deliver your memoir based on our chat in the first interview.

Question 7

Can I review the memoir before it’s finalised?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely!  All our packages include opportunities for you to review the manuscript.  We will send you the word document and you can suggest edits as you see fit.  We only go to print once you’re totally happy with the manuscript.

Question 8

What information should I provide to the interviewer?

Accepted Answer

We recommend providing the following information to the writer to receive your memoir faster:

• The type of product you have purchased.

• A list of memorable life events you wish to include in your memoir.

• Understanding what you want to get from the experience of developing your memoir (e.g. a polished, hardbound book, an enjoyable experience reliving cherished memories, a chance to recall moments in life forgotten, etc.).

• Having a collection of photos and albums on hand to help you recall memories as well as include in your memoir.

Question 9

How can I prepare for my interview?

Accepted Answer

For the first interview, draw up a list of life events you wish to include in your memoir. At the end of each interview, we will inform you of any additional information we will need or which life event/ we will explore for the next interview so you can be ready with that information or that recollection for the next interview.

Question 10

Are there specific topics I should focus on for my memoir?

Accepted Answer

Your memoir is your life story so it is up to you what you wish to record for posterity. We can guide you but ultimately you are in control of what you wish to include in your account of your life and how you want others to know you and remember you.

Question 11

What are the comparisons between services?

Question 12

How much does it cost to write a memoir?

Accepted Answer

We have a range of packages and pricing depending on the length of the memoir you'd like to capture.  These range from our Milestone Memoir package (which includes up to 1,500 words) to a full Life Story (which includes up to 35,000 words).  Please view our Services page for our current price structure.

Question 13

What is included in each package?

Accepted Answer

Each package includes interviews with our writer, opportunities for you to review the draft, and feedback sessions to finalise your memoir.

Question 14

Are there any additional fees I should be aware of?

Accepted Answer

Our Milestone Memoir and Mini Memoir package prices do not include the price of printing your memoir into a bound hard copy. If you would like us to provide you with printed copy of your Milestone or Mini Memoir, we can organise this at an additional cost for you.

If you would like your memoir published, this may also incur an additional cost to you.

Question 15

How many photos can I include?

Accepted Answer

No maximum number of photos included in the memoir, but photos included should be relevant to the story and assist the narrative. The selection of photos to be included in the memoir will be an agreed decision made by the client and the T2T writer.

Question 16

How will I receive my completed memoir?

Accepted Answer

Once your manuscript is finished, you'll receive it in an editable MS Word document format.  If you would like printed copies, we can also organise this for you as hardcover books with your photos included.

Question 17

Can I make changes after the memoir is finished?

Accepted Answer

You will receive the finalised manuscript in editable word document so you can make changes to the manuscript after the manuscript has been finalised. However, if you have opted for printed copies of your memoir, we cannot make any changes to the manuscript after it has been finalised by you.

Question 18

What if I want to order additional printed copies of my memoir?

Accepted Answer

We can organise this for you through our preferred supplier, at an additional cost to you.  You can also organise your own printing with the final digital manuscript.

Question 19

How do you ensure the confidentiality of my story?

Accepted Answer

All of our interactions with you are covered by the Tale2Tell Privacy Policy. You own your story.

Question 20

Will my memoir be published, and can I choose to keep it private?

Accepted Answer

No, your memoir is not published, unless you specifically request us to do so (this may incur additional charges).  You are in charge of your finalised manuscript.  Tale2Tell will not share, publish, or otherwise any part of your story unless we receive expressed permission from you.

Question 21

What happens to my information after the project is completed?

Accepted Answer

We retain your personal information for as long as necessary to finalise any transaction with you. We will normally retain your information for seven (7) years after your last recorded interaction with Tale2Tell although there may be exceptions to this, for example where we have a legal obligation to retain information for a longer period, or where we store limited personal information securely in an archive (for reference purposes).

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