My Story Guide

Just today I was talking to members of The Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies teaching group,  during a call to discuss helping homebound active seniors and others connect and find community through this crisis. Shortly after, New York Governor Andrew Cuomo was addressing New Yorkers and the nation on how to make use of the time and be supported. He suggested at 41:51 during his speech that writing your life story is a good thing to do while you have the advantage of time.

I have been teaching, writing and sharing my life stories through two hours of LIVE connection for a while now: Our virtual guided memoir/life story writings where anyone like you can write and talk about their journey was invaluable before the crisis and even more during this extraordinary time.

Immersing yourself in books? Movies? Writing? This is the time when writing and sharing our stories can lift us up from the struggles and anxieties. It’s also a special time to join in community where we find inspiration and meet and join hands and hearts.

Through Guided Memoirs, we have been offering programs about writing to heal, and inner listening and supporting you in your quest to have a voice, to draw upon your wisdom and persistence to write your stories.

We want to offer connection and inspiration during this challenging time, so we’re inviting you to join us for a Free guided 1 hour flash writing class or a free 4 Week Guided Memoir Workshop based on Guided Autobiography.

Visit this link to sign up and to learn more here.

                                                  by Bernd Dinnert

Have you heard about the Irishman who spoke with a German accent? Well, if you have, you are probably one of my friends, who know me as Bernd O’Dinnerty. 

When I first arrived in Canada, I did not know much about the Irish. It was a long time ago on a trip to Vancouver when a couple invited me for dinner in a rustic Irish pub. While we enjoyed our food, a woman starting to sing some Irish tunes. The patrons in the pub didn’t need much encouragement to sing along. I remember that one of the songs involved dramatic gestures which almost everybody joined into. When the lyrics came to “Green alligators and long-necked geese, Some humpy-back camels and some chimpanzees,” the crowd went wild while using their hands and arms to show special features of the animals. I couldn’t help but participate. It was March 17. It was St. Patrick’s Day. That day I fell in love with all things Irish. I circled that day in my calendar and every year since then, I have managed to entice friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with me.

My wife always calls me an Irish wannabe. Ann claims that her Grandfather actually immigrated from Ireland and I only married her for the credentials.

I was sure that my desire and love for Irish music, food, beer, and the occasional whiskey had some grounding in my DNA. What makes my foot tap when I hear the familiar Irish tunes? Why is it that when I see a glass of Guinness, my throat develops a dryness that only can be cured with the taste of that smooth, silky roasted barley fluid? 

Then, some time ago, Ann and I spent a few days in Hongkong on our way to Australia. One day Ann recognized some of my frustration when we were unsuccessful in buying a camera because of some questionable sales tactics by some local camera stores. Ann knows me well.” I think I saw a sign for an Irish pub just down the street, Bernd. Why don’t we stop there and take a breather from shopping ?”. Ann sounded like a doctor suggesting treatment for an ailment to a patient. “Great Idea,” was my reply and we were off to the Irish pub.

It was in the middle of the afternoon and we were the only patrons in this fairly small establishment. This Irish pub reinforced our belief that Irish pubs are to be found in every corner of the world. After a refreshing glass of Guinness, we discovered a large map of Ireland on the wall displaying the location of ancient Irish clans. Ann did not waste time approaching the map to find her Grandfather’s Irish roots before he immigrated to Canada. After spending a few minutes to find her ancestors, who had lived in Tipperary, she returned to the table with wide eyes I didn’t find my family on the map, but I found an O’Dinnerty clan right on the border between Tipperary and Kilkenny’ “ REALLY?”

“Are you kidding ?“ I said while walking to the map. Indeed, there it was: the O’Dinnerty clan. That must be my ancestors. Over time, the O and the Y were dropped and this must be how my family name, Dinnert, originated.

So, after this revelation, I did my own research and it appeared that the last official reference to the O’Dinnerty clan was over 800 years ago when the Vikings were battling the Celtic Clans. Many of these clans also moved and settled in mainland Europe. Could the O’Dinnertys have settled in what is now known as Germany?

A few years ago we ventured to Ireland to get to know the old neighbourhood. We drove through Tipperary, had a Guinness in Kilkenny. Here we ventured into one of the many Genealogy information centers which you find on many main streets even in the smallest towns. We filled out a questionnaire,and the first question asked for the family name. I dared to write: O’Dinnerty. The next question: What is the name of the last known relative who lived in Ireland? When I told her that I don’t have a. name as it was about 800 years ago, she scowled. She ripped up the form in front of my face and let the pieces sail through the air to the floor. I was somewhat deflated, but really not surprized. Of course, they didn’t have any records from 800 years ago.

We carried on to the Rock of Cashel, an iconic historical landmark including a cluster of medieval buildings from the times the O’Dinnertys were occupying nearby lands. History came alive when we were walking through remnants of a graveyard with headstones which had deteriorated beyond recognition of the dead buried a few hundred years ago. “This one here might have been one of your ancestors” Ann suggested with a smile. “Let me take a photo. And why don’t you give the gravestone a hug?”. This caused me to burst out in laughter. In Ann’s photograph, it appears that I am crying over the gravestone as though I had an emotional reunion.

I am not sure whether any of what I told you has any validity. However, it is the pure imagination and joy of a possible connection to Ireland that makes me celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every year and enjoy the company of Irish friends, Irish music, and yes an Irish drink. 

And because a virus prevents us this year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with friends, I offer you this Irish Blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always be at your back,

May the sunshine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

until we meet again may God hold you 

in the palm of his hand.

                                                                   by Bernd Dinnert

Have you heard about the Irishman who spoke with a German accent? Well, if you have, you are probably one of my friends, who know me as Bernd O’Dinnerty. 

When I first arrived in Canada, I did not know much about the Irish. It was a long time ago on a trip to Vancouver when a couple invited me for dinner in a rustic Irish pub. While we enjoyed our food, a woman starting to sing some Irish tunes. The patrons in the pub didn’t need much encouragement to sing along. I remember that one of the songs involved dramatic gestures which almost everybody joined into. When the lyrics came to “Green alligators and long-necked geese, Some humpy-back camels and some chimpanzees,” the crowd went wild while using their hands and arms to show special features of the animals. I couldn’t help but participate. It was March 17. It was St. Patrick’s Day. That day I fell in love with all things Irish. I circled that day in my calendar and every year since then, I have managed to entice friends to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with me.

My wife always calls me an Irish wannabe. Ann claims that her Grandfather actually immigrated from Ireland and I only married her for the credentials.

I was sure that my desire and love for Irish music, food, beer, and the occasional whiskey had some grounding in my DNA. What makes my foot tap when I hear the familiar Irish tunes? Why is it that when I see a glass of Guinness, my throat develops a dryness that only can be cured with the taste of that smooth,  silky roasted barley fluid? 

Then, some time ago, Ann and I spent a few days in Hongkong on our way to Australia. One day Ann recognized some of my frustration when we were unsuccessful in buying a camera because of some questionable sales tactics by some local camera stores. Ann knows me well.” I think I saw a sign for an Irish pub just down the street, Bernd. Why don’t we stop there and take a breather from shopping ?”. Ann sounded like a doctor suggesting treatment for an ailment to a patient. “Great Idea,” was my reply and we were off to the Irish pub.

It was in the middle of the afternoon and we were the only patrons in this fairly small establishment. This Irish pub reinforced our belief that Irish pubs are to be found in every corner of the world. After a refreshing glass of Guinness, we discovered a large map of Ireland on the wall displaying the location of ancient Irish clans. Ann did not waste time approaching the map to find her Grandfather’s Irish roots before he immigrated to Canada. After spending a few minutes to find her ancestors, who had lived in Tipperary, she returned to the table with wide eyes I didn’t find my family on the map, but I found an O’Dinnerty clan right on the border between Tipperary and Kilkenny’ “ REALLY?”

“Are you kidding ?“ I said while walking to the map. Indeed, there it was: the O’Dinnerty clan. That must be my ancestors. Over time, the O and the Y was dropped and this must be how my family name, Dinnert, originated.

So, after this revelation, I did my own research and it appeared that the last official reference to the O’Dinnerty clan was over 800 years ago when the Vikings were battling the Celtic Clans. Many of these clans also moved and settled in mainland Europe. Could the O’Dinnertys have settled in what is now known as Germany?

A few years ago we ventured to Ireland to get to know the old neighbourhood. We drove through Tipperary, had a Guinness in Kilkenny. Here we ventured into one of the many Genealogy information centers which you find on many main streets even in the smallest towns. We filled out a questionnaire, and the first question asked for the family name. I dared to write: O’Dinnerty. The next question: What is the name of the last known relative who lived in Ireland? When I told her that I don’t have a. name as it was about 800 years ago, she scowled. She ripped up the form in front of my face and let the pieces sail through the air to the floor. I was somewhat deflated, but really not surprized. Of course, they didn’t have any records from 800 years ago.

We carried on to the Rock of Cashel, an iconic historical landmark including a cluster of medieval buildings from the times the O’Dinnertys were occupying nearby lands. History came alive when we were walking through remnants of a graveyard with headstones that had deteriorated beyond recognition of the dead buried a few hundred years ago. “This one here might have been one of your ancestors” Ann suggested with a smile. “Let me take a photo. And why don’t you give the gravestone a hug?”. This caused me to burst out in laughter. In Ann’s photograph, it appears that I am crying over the gravestone as though I had an emotional reunion.

I am not sure whether any of what I told you has any validity. However, it is the pure imagination and joy of a possible connection to Ireland that makes me celebrate St. Patrick’s Day every year and enjoy the company of Irish friends, Irish music, and yes an Irish drink. 

And because a virus prevents us this year to celebrate St. Patrick’s Day with friends, I offer you this Irish Blessing:

May the road rise to meet you,

May the wind be always at your back,

May the sunshine warm upon your face,

The rains fall soft upon your fields and,

until we meet again may God hold you 

in the palm of his hand.

Self Publish Your Memoir Guide

You understand all the great reasons to write your memoir or life story. So now you’ve completed the writing and have a compilation of stories. Now what? Your journey to Self publishing your memoir is a very personal one and it’s all about you and your goals. If you’ve written your memoir for your family and loved ones, or even a wider audience self-publishing your memoir may be the best option. If you choose to self-publish your memoir you have two options: take a do it yourself approach and do everything yourself (via service providers) or use a self-publishing company to do it for you. Using a service to do it for you will typically charge an up-front fee and/or a fee per book sold or print as you go. Whatever way you choose, Your guide to self-publishing your memoir, life story or legacy book covers 11 popular ways to self publish your life story or memoir.

The advantages are:

• You can make all your own creative and marketing decisions for your project.
• Design something that matches your vision, choose the best printing options for you, and share it with your friends, fans, and followers.
• Choose the best format to strike a balance between your creative vision and a price that works for your audience.
• From glossy coffee-table books to device-ready ebooks, now you can design once and deliver often.
• Create a book you can sell at scale through the site’s bookstore, on Amazon, and in stores with partner distribution.

Do it Yourself Options

This is by no means an exhaustive list, but just a few examples of self-publishing services. You may have different priorities to consider, so be prepared to do some Internet searching, reading and quote requesting. There are simpler ways of compiling your stories – e.g. spiral binding your stories and photos. Or you may wish to work with a graphic artist who could create a custom binding for you – or a personal historian who can help you write, videotape or record your stories and put them into a format to share with family and friends. 

Lulu.com:  

We’ve used Lulu for our self-published books and  the process was very good so check them out. Your Story Guide published her mother-in-law’s book of letters, “Letters From Edna” through Lulu.com and was very happy with its services. 

Blurb:  

Blurb produces good quality hardcover books and more. Prices are high, but Blurb’s ordering process is ideal for those who want to order their own copies or to provide a link for others to order as well. Text and photo layouts, Adobe InDesign templates. Costs vary according to types of cover (soft, hard/dust jacket and hard/Imagewrap) and whether premium or standard paper is used). Take a look at the following examples: “Middie’s Memoirs” by Arthur and Anne Middleton, (87 pages) “Happy ‘85’ Birthday, Ed!” by Anne Middleton, (27 pages).

Mycanvas:  

Mycanvas has text and photo layouts, yet the text layouts are not as sophisticated as some other self-publishing programs. However, if you have lots of photos and ancestry information on Ancestry.com, this site makes it easy to create directly from there and creates beautiful photo books. Take a look at the following example: -“Sage Magazine’s Journey of Sisterhood”.

Photo Book Press:

The gold standard of craft bookbinding. Photo Book Press produces strong and beautiful photo books that will always open flat and will never come apart. Expensive, but these are reportedly the only photo books available with this high quality sewn signature binding. 

Book1One:  

Book1One specializes in all types of books. They do not provide editing services, just reasonably priced printing and binding. But they will help set up covers for a fee. There is no minimum order requirements, no set up fees and quick production turn around times.

Angel Printing:

A Guided Autobiography member had a book printed by Angel Printing. “The proof was the best quality I have ever seen,” she said. “For my paperback books, they were a little higher but were willing to match Book1One’s price. So you may want to check them out. 

iUniverse: 

iUniverse has packages to give you everything you need to reach your publishing goals, including book and cover design, one-on-one author support, global distribution, on-demand book printing and editorial services.

Dorrance Publishing:

Dorrance Publishing has been around for decades. The company was featured on an “I Love Lucy” show in the early 1950s. They have a good book about publishing that one can download for free and lots of writing prompts.

SelfPublishing.com:  

Impressive website, full service company. Lots of comparisons and information although I have never used them.

CreateSpace.com:

Part of Amazon.com, the largest book distributor in the world. 

UBuildaBook:

UbuildaBook is another online book print and bind company. A little expensive for lower quantities, but
worth looking into as a basis of comparison to others.

By: Farida Guzdar

“Cor da teen” aka Quarantine

My daughter was walking her dog when her three year old neighbor called from his window to inform her that they were under “cor da teen.”  What a world we live in when children that young know about quarantine, viruses, murders, terrorism, school shootings, and a host of other things we didn’t know about until much later.

I wonder how parents explain these situations to young kids when even we adults are struggling with their implications.  I hear from millennials that they are thinking whether they want to bring children into today’s world.  Sadly, I get it.

The entire world has been brought to its knees by a tiny organism – Covid 19 – and no one is safe from it.  The rich can’t buy a cure because there isn’t one.  As always, the poor have no hope.  Governments are urging people to stay home; but what about the homeless? In many underdeveloped countries, the streets are home to millions.  Where do they go?  No one seems to have an answer, much less considered the plight of these routinely forgotten people.

“Cor-Da-teen” affects others

Those who have the money are hoarding everything from food to toilet paper.  Those who don’t care about other lives are congregating on beaches and in parks.  This is the first time in living history where one’s actions affect others’ lives.

The Givers and Takers

I’m reminded of what a friend told me long ago; the world is made up of givers and takers.  These are times when our true nature is revealed.  The givers are donating to the food bank, to hospitals for daily meals for healthcare workers and much-needed business for local restaurants, making cloth masks for hospitals and nursing homes in short supply of personal protective gear, and volunteering to drive for meals on wheels to help the growing number of seniors who are homebound and don’t have access to food.

The takers are price gouging on necessities like sanitizer, medical supplies, and food staples.  Then there are the ones who just take care of their own without a thought for anyone else.

Where do you stand?  A crisis is what defines you as a person.  No matter what you think, what you feel; this is the time for action.  Give, like your life depends on it.  It does!

“Cor-da-teen/Quarantine Activities

Since everyone is homebound, we are spending more time with family.  Are we taking the time to make the most of it?  To bond with our children who we’re normally just shuttling around to school, sports, music, etc.  Enjoy this gift of time.

Play with and read to the little ones; discuss and get to know the older ones.  If you’re alone like me, it’s a time to reflect and ponder where you are in life and what the future may hold however uncertain it is right now.  Pick up the phone and call someone you haven’t talked to in a long time.  Reconnect with old friends.  Make up with family members you don’t even remember why you stopped talking to.

Check on older friends and neighbors; bring them food and supplies.  This is the time for the entire world to show their humanity because each and every one of us is affected by this.  Tell those you love that you love and cherish them.  Don’t wait for later; there may not be a later.

This is also a time to stay physically and mentally fit.  Go for a walk if you can.  Yoga and meditation is great to keep you grounded and calm.  Read a book and escape to a better place and time.  Watch TV but don’t be a couch potato.  Don’t watch the news 24/7.  Reliable sources a couple of times a day is adequate.  Cook and eat healthy meals.  Share recipes with friends and family.

Journaling and writing a good outlets for your thoughts and feelings.  Keep the faith.  Keep your spirits up.  There’s a light at the end of the tunnel.  This will pass.

They openly hugged their friends, even strangers, and sat close together, always. They held hands, and tried again.

Who is The Story Guide?

I’m Lily, founder, CEO, writer, author, instructor, and personal cheerleader to help you write your memoir. I’m the person most passionate about helping you write your book and empowering your creative self.

I believe that everyone’s life is a story worth telling. I also believe that helping you tell yours in a way that honors and encourages you today will create a legacy that inspires others for generations.

Since childhood, I have sat at the breakfast table and listened to the stories of my extended family and of our history and migration across three continents. First from India to Guyana as indentured workers, then to the United States. Over the last decade, I have been on a path to listening to and preserving these stories, recipes and culture here for my family and the next generation. I was destined to be the family historian and storyteller. I have listened to the stories at the feet of my elders. And I started my career as a Journalist working for a newspaper and radio station. I made a living as a CEO for a technology company and am now helping others explore their creative selves and bring their stories to life. On any given day, you can find me listening to people’s stories everywhere from the playground, to the football stadium, to the local craft distillery or attending or perusing the creative works of others through the Maryland State Arts Council.

Our team at The Story Guide includes two journalists, a graphic designer, technologists, CEO and life coach. We have been helping people tell their stories for more than 27 years as reporters in both radio and television, as mothers and grandmothers. We have been privileged to hear and share many important narratives. Our passion is about bringing stories to life and we’ve found the most important narratives to be the truth.

As certified teachers of Guided Autobiography from The Birren Institute for Autobiographical Studies in California,  we can share helpful writing tips with you, provide helpful tools for you to use as you organize and tell your life stories, and improve your writing along the way.  With Guided Autobiography (memoir), you will create, in one book, a detailed account of your Life’s most significant passages, for yourself and for those who come after you.

How Can We help you?

The Guided Memoir offers memoir/ or autobiography services to meet you right where you are. From your first story to holding your printed book in your hand, we help take the anxiety and hassle out of writing and publishing. Whether you come to us having never written a word before, or with a partially completed manuscript, we’re ready to guide you every step of the way.

Why do we do what we do?

The mission of Guided Life Story is to honor, encourage, and enrich the lives of individuals and families through writing, telling and preserving their life stories/memoirs. By doing so, we leave a legacy and connect our lives through generations.

We accomplish our mission through Live virtual and in-person writing courses, workshops, and retreats. Our writing sessions include one hour guided flash writing sessions, 6-week guided memoir sessions, Full Day guided workshops and weekend retreats.  Services also include guidance on publishing that can deliver your books for private family libraries and guidance for those who wish to make a profit by selling their books online and locally.