Storied Gifts Memoir * Big Event Chronicle
Wedding Keepsakes * Family Reunion * Business Story* Consulting, Pet Stories
What is a Storied Gifts Memoir?
Storied Gifts records the life and times of a loved one for generations to come. Working with families and individuals to gather and chronicle their cherished memories and stories, we create a professional-quality, heirloom book.
The process• It starts with the initial inquiry from an adult child or grandchild. They want to give a unique gift to their parents or grandparents and at the same time provide a lasting gift for their entire family. They’ve recognized that a parent, grandparent, or other member of the family has a bounty of wonderful memories and stories about their own life and times. This precious family history may otherwise be lost.
• We arrange a meeting to answer all questions about the interviews and gathering of the stories, specific goals of the family members who are involved in the project, and the related fees of the process through to the finished piece.
• Once these details on the process have been finalized, we begin with a series of conversations and interviews with that person or persons who are the subject of the Storied Gifts project. We make appointments for a series of collaborative interviews (approximately 5 to 7, in total). Each session involves the Personal Historian being an active listener and interviewer. Questions and answers stimulate memories of times and events from the past, from early childhood through to the events of today.
• The process of interviewing allows for both feedback and specific contributions from the subject. Memories unfold from the questioning process--stories are re-lived and memories come forth during this engaging process. Photos are pored over, and the selected images are scanned into the database for the book‘s content. The subject will enjoy the pleasure of remembering and re-telling these life experiences once again, knowing that they are contributing to a project that will be of permanent value to their family and future generations.
What we create
Each life is a work of art, and the Storied Gifts project allows that art to shine through with a very individualized completed work to reflect that life. The Legacy Book will be a compilation of the interview process, stories and memories featuring comments and thoughts from the subject of the book. In addition to the interviews, each book not only features photographs but can also include poems, charts, or drawings from the subject that help propel and explain the experiences being shared. A time-line of events and an abbreviated family tree are prepared by the Personal Historian to help the reader understand the people and time-line involved in the stories.
Each book is then finished with commissioned artwork for the cover and chapter headings as a part of the Storied Gifts package. A portrait or drawings of significance that are personalized to the subject and the themes may be used. This is a beautiful and professional book that the family will enjoy and be proud to share.
DigitalIn addition to the Legacy Book, all recordings of the interviews are preserved and available for the Client, packaged appropriately with the Legacy Book so that over time the raw material of the interviews will also be safely intact. All the interview material is burned onto compact discs, with individually prepared CD artwork to identify them.
The feesEach Storied Gifts project is driven by the personal goals and interests of the family and the individual(s) involved. Fees are $35.00 per hour; the total dollar amount will depend upon the number of interviews and the amount of content to be paginated, edited, and printed. This amount varies with each project and can be discussed in some detail in the initial Client meetings.
Interwoven into the small daily stories of life are the major markers along our journey—significant trips, a particular relationship, a proud achievement, a career or business venture or a time we showed tremendous courage. These events are often shared with friends and family who were witnesses and participants of the experience. Enlist Sherry, your personal historian, to conduct interviews with you and the important players of this pivotal time to flesh out the full story, and breathe new life and meaning into that particular piece of your history. The result will be a keepsake for family and friends to enjoy and learn anew of this significant time in your life.
Capture the compelling stories on your special day in a meaningful keepsake. The frenzy of your wedding may not allow you to visit with all your guests to hear their stories and best wishes. Commission Sherry, your personal wedding historian, to creatively interview guests and record their shared memories of you, your family and friends and your celebration. Or, designate special family and friends to be interviewed and then Storied Gifts will work with your wedding photographer or candid photographer to create a special book of your wedding day. Give the book as a gift or invite family to purchase their own copy as a memento. You’ll enjoy the beautiful book filled with photos and anecdotes which will serve to remind you of the abundance of joy and love that surround you as you build your life together.
Everyone’s all together having a great time and the stories are flying; family reunions have so much going on that you can never seem to take it all in. You end up at the end of the weekend wondering where all the time went. Hire Sherry, your personal historian, to capture those great shared stories of your family’s history, both old and new, to preserve them along with photos and reflections from the family attendees at your reunion. The result will be a beautifully bound chronicle of the event with loads of history for everyone to enjoy and share.
Knowing your business story and sharing it in a meaningful way with others is a powerful sales tool. Commission Sherry, host of the award winning podcast Entrepreneur People: Real Stories,to help you flesh out and harness your unique story of dreaming, planning, and starting your business so prospects and clients can become more invested in what you do and why it matters. Whether you are looking for content to add to your website, a brochure, an eBook, or other presentation media, Sherry’s expertise can help you share your entrepreneurial story in a meaningful way.
Storied Photos – Your Life stories in a photo book
You know you’ve always meant to get your family pictures organized, but today many of them are still in boxes, or available only as a single copy in a photo album. Are they marked with names, dates, or anecdotes? Who are all the faces looking back at you and what is the story behind the shots? Renew your enjoyment of your pictorial history and easily create gifts for others with Storied Photos. Call on Personal Historian Sherry Borzo to help you create a beautiful book that archives your photos, old and new. Let us help you to proudly share these treasures with family and friends.
Either you’re well on your way with your memoir and just need to know where to go next, or you need encouragement along the way to get your project done, tap into Sherry’s knowledge to realize your goal of completing your personal memoir project. With writing, interviewing, and self-publishing know-how Sherry is ready to provide resources and ideas so you don’t become overwhelmed with that pile of documents and photos. Turn your intention into the well-organized reality of a book you’ll be proud to say share.
Storied Gifts Pet Stories
They make us laugh, provide us unconditional love and sometimes vex us but those of us who have pets know why we love them. Storied Gifts provide you the opportunity to share your favorite stories and thoughts about those furry and feathered friends.
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