Most people have thought about this at some time - you've got a friend, often an ageing relative, who tells such great stories, that you wish you could record the stories somehow. Maybe for posterity, maybe for the family album, maybe because these stories are so wonderful that they would make a great book. It's a terrific idea and I say 'go for it'.
The recording process can be fun for everyone, though there are a few things to think about before you get started. It’s a great way to interact with your friend or ageing relative. It can make visits even more enjoyable for both of you, providing it’s done in the right way.
Technology is making this process so much easier. One company in America is advertising this as a service in care homes, and you can just see all the wonderful benefits here: https://www.lifebio.com/health
Lifebio have some great ideas and I think the site is well laid out and pretty straightforward so I won’t repeat what they say. I love their use of ipads (though I'll say more about the recording process in a later blog post). And actually the price for the final printed copy ($1 a page) isn’t too bad, maybe a bit expensive for 100 pages, considering the result is just one book. But the service for those writing their own biographies does sound okay. They are also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeBio If you know of an equivalent service in the UK, I'd love to hear more.
HOWEVER – if you would like to record your friend’s story – and let’s call her Karen just to give her some identity. If you’d like to record Karen’s story with a view to PUBLISHING it, you need to think carefully about the process.
But first, who am I? What experience do I have to be giving you this advice? I worked in Audio Visual Services in Universities and delivered audio and visual teaching material online for the University of Warwick’s MBA programme. I was their Learning Resources Manager. I’ve worked in recording studios and done my own recordings, but still I am not an expert in the technology. However, I do know a lot of people who are. I’ve also interviewed people both face to face and over the telephone, and transcribed those interviews into published books, such as “South West Secret Agents”. I know a lot of the pitfalls and problems and also the wonderful joy of capturing the story.
Let’s get back to recording Karen's story.
The recording process can be fun for everyone, though there are a few things to think about before you get started. It’s a great way to interact with your friend or ageing relative. It can make visits even more enjoyable for both of you, providing it’s done in the right way.
Technology is making this process so much easier. One company in America is advertising this as a service in care homes, and you can just see all the wonderful benefits here: https://www.lifebio.com/health
Lifebio have some great ideas and I think the site is well laid out and pretty straightforward so I won’t repeat what they say. I love their use of ipads (though I'll say more about the recording process in a later blog post). And actually the price for the final printed copy ($1 a page) isn’t too bad, maybe a bit expensive for 100 pages, considering the result is just one book. But the service for those writing their own biographies does sound okay. They are also on facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LifeBio If you know of an equivalent service in the UK, I'd love to hear more.
HOWEVER – if you would like to record your friend’s story – and let’s call her Karen just to give her some identity. If you’d like to record Karen’s story with a view to PUBLISHING it, you need to think carefully about the process.
But first, who am I? What experience do I have to be giving you this advice? I worked in Audio Visual Services in Universities and delivered audio and visual teaching material online for the University of Warwick’s MBA programme. I was their Learning Resources Manager. I’ve worked in recording studios and done my own recordings, but still I am not an expert in the technology. However, I do know a lot of people who are. I’ve also interviewed people both face to face and over the telephone, and transcribed those interviews into published books, such as “South West Secret Agents”. I know a lot of the pitfalls and problems and also the wonderful joy of capturing the story.
Let’s get back to recording Karen's story.
The first issue you’ll need to consider is:
What kind of book will Karen's story become?
Will it be mostly text or a lot of images with some
accompanying narrative? How much text will you need to
tell the story? How much recording do you need to do to fill
a book?
Will she tell her story in first person, eg “I had this amazing adventure in Africa....” Or in third person, re-telling her story as a narrator: “When Karen was young, she....”.
Take a look around at similar books already out there. Most biographies on sale are by celebrities, but there are many wonderful biographical books by 'real' people too. Have a look around, do some research, and I'll look at some alternatives to the book in the next blog post.
Bye for now.
What kind of book will Karen's story become?
Will it be mostly text or a lot of images with some
accompanying narrative? How much text will you need to
tell the story? How much recording do you need to do to fill
a book?
Will she tell her story in first person, eg “I had this amazing adventure in Africa....” Or in third person, re-telling her story as a narrator: “When Karen was young, she....”.
Take a look around at similar books already out there. Most biographies on sale are by celebrities, but there are many wonderful biographical books by 'real' people too. Have a look around, do some research, and I'll look at some alternatives to the book in the next blog post.
Bye for now.