My Services
Create your personal history through memoirs and biographies.
When writing your personal history, or life story, I go beyond the names and dates of your family tree and your records of accomplishments. I capture the stories behind the facts and turn them into compelling, attractive writing that brings your stories to life. Your life story will read like an enthralling novel people won't want to put down when reading.
Short Read
A short read reminiscence focuses on a particular memory or experience and, ideally, its importance or lessons learned. Short reads, printed or ebooks, that can be read in one sitting are a popular, low-cost, and fast-growing publishing segment.
Memoir
Memoirs are narratives about important parts of a person's life. A good memoir goes beyond the who-what-when-where-why-how, focusing on significant events or periods in a person's life. I write your memoirs based on those facts while looking at them from your perspective, delving into your thoughts, feelings, and inner struggles. Together we will be writing your memoir as you remember it. You can select what and how you wish your story told. Usually between 25,000 to 35,000 words.
Biographies
A biography tends to be longer, revolves around observable events, and generally attempts to cover the entire span of a person's life. Biographies typically are over 30,000 words long. Both memoirs and biographies can be written in the first person (I, me, we) or the third person (he, she, they.) When a biography is written in the first person, it is called an autobiography. The writer's name can appear as author, co-author, "with," or "as told to..." along with your name or whose story is told.Which option is best? It's a matter of preference. I feel memoirs are best told in the first person. Telling your story in your voice makes it more intimate, and readers feel more connected. You have more freedom to tell your story as you see it, showing your most intimate thoughts, doubts, and passion. While the same holds for a biography, some people feel that if a third person tells their life story, it becomes more "official." This may be particularly true for people in the middle of their life careers.
Ghostwriting
A popular option for autobiographies is to have them "ghostwritten." If your story is ghostwritten, that means only your name will appear as the author. In the past, some thought of having a book ghostwritten as unethical or deceitful, but that is no longer the case. A good ghostwriter doesn't write the book by themselves for you. They turn the stories in your head into a written narrative. When ghostwriting, I function as an interpreter, taking your memories and words, crafting them into a written book. In our conversations, we find your voice and determine the style and tone that best fits your project. The final product is a true reflection of what you would write if you had the time, talent, and patient dedication to write it yourself. That is why public figures, very talented in their fields, use ghostwriters to write their autobiographies and memoirs. To determine which option is best for you, I welcome your questions in a free, no sales pressure informative session.
The benefits of writing your life memories are twofold.
The benefits to the person who's stories will be remembered, and the benefits to their loved ones, descendants, and all those who read it.
Benefits for the subject of a life story
We all have stories about ourselves we would like future generations to know of. The only way to achieve that is by having those memories written! Writing your memoirs allows you to share your experiences and acquired wisdom with them. It also means not only that you will be remembered, but enables you to shape how you will be remembered.
A good biography not only showcases a person's achievements and happy times but also helps explain and understand the rough periods we had and how we overcame them.
After finishing their memoirs, people come to realizations they didn't have about themselves as they see themselves more clearly.
"I never realized how many obstacles I had to overcome to succeed," said one client. He gained a new appreciation for his resilience and perseverance.
Remembering the times they were strong, successful, and triumphant is a powerful boost that can lead to even greater achievements and victories in life. It is not an exaggeration to say many people discover meaning to their life after such a thought provocative life review.
Benefits to others
Besides the sheer enjoyment of reading the life and learning of their loved one, studies show that knowing their family's history makes people stronger and more resilient. Knowledge of your roots brings pride and boosts self-confidence.
As the researcher in the influence of family history on adolescent identity and well-being Robyn Fivush tells us: "Stories about our parents and grandparents provide models of both good and bad times, as well as models of overcoming challenges and sticking together."
Writing your personal history and sharing it with your loved ones will provide them with identity and better emotional well-being.
Those who are lucky to have written histories of their forebearers know how much it means. Most people are not so fortunate. You can make the difference by beginning your memoirs with your stories and those you heard as a child you wish future generations to remember.
“My 12-year-old daughter read the biography of her great-uncle, and it sparked her interest to know more about our family tree. At her suggestion, we are all working together researching our genealogy. We are grateful Joe Weaver has written the story in such an interesting way. His book has fostered many conversations and a better understanding of our family history.”
Memoir
Memoirs are narratives about important parts of a person's life. A good memoir goes beyond the who-what-when-where-why-how, focusing on significant events or periods in a person's life. I write your memoirs based on those facts while looking at them from your perspective, delving into your thoughts, feelings, and inner struggles. Together we will be writing your memoir as you remember it. You can select what and how you wish your story told. Usually between 25,000 to 35,000 words.
Biographies
A biography tends to be longer, revolves around observable events, and generally attempts to cover the entire span of a person's life. Biographies typically are over 30,000 words long. Both memoirs and biographies can be written in the first person (I, me, we) or the third person (he, she, they.) When a biography is written in the first person, it is called an autobiography. The writer's name can appear as author, co-author, "with," or "as told to..." along with your name or whose story is told.Which option is best? It's a matter of preference. I feel memoirs are best told in the first person. Telling your story in your voice makes it more intimate, and readers feel more connected. You have more freedom to tell your story as you see it, showing your most intimate thoughts, doubts, and passion. While the same holds for a biography, some people feel that if a third person tells their life story, it becomes more "official." This may be particularly true for people in the middle of their life careers.
Ghostwriting
A popular option for autobiographies is to have them "ghostwritten." If your story is ghostwritten, that means only your name will appear as the author. In the past, some thought of having a book ghostwritten as unethical or deceitful, but that is no longer the case. A good ghostwriter doesn't write the book by themselves for you. They turn the stories in your head into a written narrative. When ghostwriting, I function as an interpreter, taking your memories and words, crafting them into a written book. In our conversations, we find your voice and determine the style and tone that best fits your project. The final product is a true reflection of what you would write if you had the time, talent, and patient dedication to write it yourself. That is why public figures, very talented in their fields, use ghostwriters to write their autobiographies and memoirs. To determine which option is best for you, I welcome your questions in a free, no sales pressure informative session.
The benefits of writing your life memories are twofold.
The benefits to the person who's stories will be remembered, and the benefits to their loved ones, descendants, and all those who read it.
Benefits for the subject of a life story
We all have stories about ourselves we would like future generations to know of. The only way to achieve that is by having those memories written! Writing your memoirs allows you to share your experiences and acquired wisdom with them. It also means not only that you will be remembered, but enables you to shape how you will be remembered.
A good biography not only showcases a person's achievements and happy times but also helps explain and understand the rough periods we had and how we overcame them.
After finishing their memoirs, people come to realizations they didn't have about themselves as they see themselves more clearly.
"I never realized how many obstacles I had to overcome to succeed," said one client. He gained a new appreciation for his resilience and perseverance.
Remembering the times they were strong, successful, and triumphant is a powerful boost that can lead to even greater achievements and victories in life. It is not an exaggeration to say many people discover meaning to their life after such a thought provocative life review.
Benefits to others
Besides the sheer enjoyment of reading the life and learning of their loved one, studies show that knowing their family's history makes people stronger and more resilient. Knowledge of your roots brings pride and boosts self-confidence.
As the researcher in the influence of family history on adolescent identity and well-being Robyn Fivush tells us: "Stories about our parents and grandparents provide models of both good and bad times, as well as models of overcoming challenges and sticking together."
Writing your personal history and sharing it with your loved ones will provide them with identity and better emotional well-being.
Those who are lucky to have written histories of their forebearers know how much it means. Most people are not so fortunate. You can make the difference by beginning your memoirs with your stories and those you heard as a child you wish future generations to remember.
“My 12-year-old daughter read the biography of her great-uncle, and it sparked her interest to know more about our family tree. At her suggestion, we are all working together researching our genealogy. We are grateful Joe Weaver has written the story in such an interesting way. His book has fostered many conversations and a better understanding of our family history.”