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

Tom Zoellner

Nov 2013 · Sold by St. Martin's Griffin

About this ebook

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 provoke 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.

About the author

TOM ZOELLNER is the author of The Heartless Stone: A Journey Through the World of Diamonds, Deceit and Desire. He is also the co-author of An Ordinary Man, the autobiography of Paul Rusesabagina, whose story was told in the film Hotel Rwanda. He has worked as a contributing editor to Men's Health magazine and as a reporter for the San Francisco Chronicle.