Writing for Immortality

Memorial Day is the unofficial kick-off to summer. It's also a day to remember those brave men and women who sacrificed their lives to keep our country safe. Barbara discusses the origins of Memorial Day, why veterans might want to record their own stories, and recommends some books, with some by folks who'll be guests on future episodes! War memoirs: Unbroken by Laura Hillenbrand  https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-General-William-Tecumseh-Classics/dp/0140437983 With The Old Breed: At Peleliu and Okinawa, Eugene Sledge https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-General-William-Tecumseh-Classics/dp/0140437983 Memoirs, General William Sherman https://www.amazon.com/Memoirs-General-William-Tecumseh-Classics/dp/0140437983 **Know a veteran who wants to write their military history? Give them the gift of DIYBook, a one-stop writing and printing platform that guides authors on every step of the writing process. Includes 7-day free trial. https://www.diybook.us/product/life-story/ ** Connect with Barbara on Instagram! https://www.instagram.com/writing4immortality Beach reads mentioned in this episode: Bear, Julia Philips https://tinyurl.com/y7mpzjad Another Land of My Body, by Rodney Leonard https://fourwaybooks.com/site/another-land-of-my-body/ The Revolutionary Temper: Paris, 1748-1789, Robert Darnton https://tinyurl.com/24vdnyrc

In this episode, Barbara talks to Carlin Romano, a renowned critic and champion of intellectual discourse. Romano, a former critic-at-large for the Chronicle of Higher Education and the Philadelphia Inquirer and current critic-at-large for Moment Magazine, offers his sharp insights on the decline of critical thinking in book reviews and the state of literary criticism in America. He laments the shift towards praise and publicity, arguing for the importance of tough critique. But Romano's intellectual journey extends far beyond literature. He passionately defends his provocative thesis: America, with its diverse perspectives, free expression, and abundance of philosophical resources, boasts the most philosophical culture in history. He even explores the power of provocative statements in igniting philosophical debates. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Romano discusses his controversial departure from the National Book Critics Circle. He clarifies his stance on the organization's anti-racism statement, dispelling misconceptions about his opposition to certain aspects. Romano also raises concerns about the lack of diverse thought and the growing influence of left-leaning politics within the NBCC. Beyond the world of criticism, Romano reflects on the changing landscape of college campuses, grappling with the challenges of fostering free speech and civil discourse in an increasingly polarized environment. The episode concludes with a glimpse into Romano's personal reading life, a fitting end to a conversation that celebrates intellectual curiosity and the power of ideas. Books: America the Philosophical, Carlin Romano https://tinyurl.com/mr2w8yxj Night, Elie Wiesel https://tinyurl.com/bddva2t4 Tarzan Edgar Rice Burroughs https://www.edgarriceburroughs.com/series-profiles/the-tarzan-series/ Conceived with Malice https://tinyurl.com/32k3fevr Palestine 1936, Oren Kessler https://tinyurl.com/ye5hj262 Clancy Martin, How Not to Kill Yourself https://tinyurl.com/2et69a7t 1948: A History of the First Arab-Israeli War, Benny Morris https://tinyurl.com/mrxp5hfh Wit, Margaret Edson https://tinyurl.com/4j4kja8r Forest Dark, Nicole Kraus https://tinyurl.com/5cykp9cm Metaphysical Animals https://tinyurl.com/mwzycsbr Magazine: Moment Magazine https://momentmag.com/ Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 01:55 Early Days and Education 04:23 Career in Journalism and Literary Criticism 06:15 The Decline of Book Sections and Literary Criticism 09:30 The State of Literary Criticism in America 16:36 Teaching Journalism and the Failure to Communicate 28:03 The Role of Provocative Statements 33:17 Free Speech and the National Book Critics Circle 33:45 Controversy and Misunderstandings: Carlin Romano's Departure from the NBCC 38:39 The Changing Landscape of American Literary Criticism 41:33 Challenges of Fostering Free Speech and Civil Discourse on College Campuses 01:03:51 Reading for Pleasure: Carlin Romano's Current Book List

Writers can learn a lot about structuring a narrative from visual storytellers, and that's what Barbara explores in this episode of Writing for Immortality. She visited the Schoelkopf Gallery this spring to see "Enter Andrew Wyeth," a rare look at 25 works from 1939 to 1994 that examine the emotional resonance of Wyeth's work during his marriage to his wife, Betsy.  Wyeth's paintings are in permanent collections in most major American museums, including the Museum of Modern Art, the Smithsonian American Art Museum, and the Whitney Museum of American Art. The exhibition also provides unprecedented access to Andrew Wyeth’s unframed drawings and watercolors. To make an appointment, please contact Alana Ricca at alana@schoelkopfgallery.com or Andrew Schoelkopf at andrew@schoelkopfgallery.com or call (212) 879-8815. Not in the market for a Wyeth original? Head over to Instagram to see art from the show. https://www.instagram.com/writing4immortality Additionally, Barbara has an update about Jane Goodrich, founder of Picsello and early guest of the pod, as well as news about future guest Kent Saunders! Jane launched her podcast, "Focus on Business," for photographers looking to grow their businesses. Listen here: https://open.spotify.com/show/0Cxe8X3TcgVowD6NgUoMfX Kent Sanders hosts "The Profitable Writer" podcast and invited Barbara to chat about ghostwriting--you can hear their conversation here: https://www.theprofitablewriter.com/blog/the-entrepreneurial-journey-of-a-full-time-writer-ghostwriter-barbara-richter and watch this space for Kent's interview! Want to write your life story? Head over to DIYBook and get started! https://www.diybook.us/

Today's guest is Brett Barry, a 20+ year veteran of the audiobooks industry. Voiceover artist, educator, and audiobook producer Brett has an ear for books. Ready for some stats? In 2021, nearly 50% of the US population listened to at least one audiobook. Readers listen in their cars, at home, and on vacation, and all those books add up to an industry that generated $1.6 billion in the US and $4.22 billion globally. Audiobooks are big business and should be part of every author's calculus for publication and distribution. Barbara and Brett talk about what goes into creating a great audiobook, where AI fits in, and what Arnold Schwarzenegger has to do with any of this. If Brett's last name is familiar, it's because his wonderful wife Rebecca appeared on our podcast on March 28 to talk about her critically beloved book, "The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells." https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/writingforimmortality/episodes/The-Vanishing-of-Carolyn-Wells-A-Conversation-with-Author-Rebecca-Rego-Barry-e2hfqfd Find Brett here: Brett Barry: https://www.brettsvoice.com/ Silver Hollow Audio https://silverhollowaudio.com/ Kaatscast: https://www.kaatscast.com/

We can't bottle Brook Benten's energy, but speaking to her sure comes close! This was a high-octane episode that combines Barbara's favorite topics: running (and exercise writ large), and storytelling. Just like with writing, you've got to earn your sweat. Brook Benten, author of Sweat, discusses her professional and personal experiences that led to this book. Part memoir and part exercise guide, Sweat targets women and moms who are looking to reclaim a more authentic life balance. Brook Benten is a GIANT in the fitness industry: since trading in her twirling batons for step boxes, Benten has been inspiring exercisers for over twenty years. You may know Benten for her dozens of workout DVDs. She has represented brands including Livestrong, Hyperwear, Prevention, Power Music, and Lebert Fitness. Johnny Goldberg (“Johnny G,” the inventor of Spinning) asked Benten to represent his brand as one of six international ⁠Johnny G Spirit Bike Master Trainers⁠. After graduating from Texas State University with a B.S. in Exercise and Sport Science and a minor in Business Administration, she earned an M.Ed. in Physical Education with an emphasis in Sport and Fitness Administration from The University of Houston. Her gold-standard certifications include ACE Personal Trainer, ACSM Exercise Physiologist, and Physical Mind Institute Pilates. Benten is among the world’s top 1% of kettlebell instructors to train under Pavel Tsatsouline, having earned RKC (Russian Kettlebell Challenge), SFG (StrongFirst Girya), and SFG II (StrongFirst Girya Level II) kettlebell certifications.  Benten has lectured at universities, led presentations at national fitness conferences, and served as an adjunct faculty member. Her 9-hour kettlebell curriculum is used to teach personal trainers and fitness instructors how to safely and effectively train with kettlebells. In 2023, she published her first book, “Lift Light, Get Lean,” and completed her Professional Life Coach certification through Baylor University. Benten is the wellness travel writer for Texas Lifestyle Magazine, hosts a podcast honoring self-sovereignty by building emotional and relational boundaries, and continues to inspire women to get moving. In this episode, Benten emphasizes the importance of self-care and finding balance as a mother and encourages women to prioritize their own well-being. She also opens up about her experiences with trauma, sobriety, and the challenges of facing uncomfortable emotions. Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Brook Benten and 'Sweat' 01:54 The Journey of Writing 'Sweat' 04:16 The Structure of the Book and Target Audience 07:00 Finding Balance and Including Children in Workouts 10:17 The Importance of Short, Effective Workouts 12:37 Brook Benton's Background in Fitness 15:55 Becoming Known for Kettlebell Workouts 22:26 Navigating Trauma and Sobriety 28:56 Overcoming Alcohol Addiction and Finding Wellness 30:25 The Power of a Morning Routine and Quality Sleep 36:40 The Importance of Social Connections in Well-Being 38:36 Seeking Evidence-Based Information in the Fitness Industry 49:21 Introducing 'Heavy 100': A Holistic Approach to Wellness 56:33 Wellness as a Journey: Consistency and Commitment Where to find Brook: Website: https://www.brookbenten.com Insta: https://www.instagram.com/brookbenten YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCmI7X5SgSPIRNbAHY5bfTxg/about?view_as=subscriber Trying to quit drinking? You don't have to do it alone. Here are links where you can find help: NIAAA How To Quit Drinking? Tips From Rethinking Drinking https://www.rethinkingdrinking.niaaa.nih.gov/Thinking-about-a-change/Support-for-quitting/Support-Strategies-For-Quitting.aspx Treatment navigator https://alcoholtreatment.niaaa.nih.gov/

This week's cover art photo is baby Barbara, circa 1999 working down in the basement stacks. Listen to the episode--it'll make sense. Barbara answers a listener's question on interviewing family members for a life story book and shares her experience interviewing her grandfather. She also shares her thoughts on the significance of preserving family history, recommends books she recently read, and talks about a great new exhibit at the Hispanic Society--go to Instagram https://www.instagram.com/writing4immortality/ to see pictures from the installation! **LINKS TO BOOKS AND PRODUCTS MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE** Transcription services: Rev: https://www.rev.com/ Riverside: https://riverside.fm/ Books Barbara read and reviewed (in order of discussion): Running Red, by NB Conrad https://www.amazon.com/Running-Red-Noel-Conrad/dp/B0CRS98KH1 The Obituary Book, by Alden Whitman https://archive.org/details/theobituarybook0000unse/page/n9/mode/2up Pre: The Story of America's Greatest Running Legend, Steve Prefontaine, by Tom Jordan https://www.thriftbooks.com/w/pre-the-story-of-americas-greatest-running-legend-steve-prefontaine_tom-jordan/254671/item/62116321/?mkwid=%7cdc&pcrid=76622380847791&pkw=&pmt=be&slid=&product=62116321&plc=&pgrid=1225955718369265&ptaid=pla-4580221858468446&utm_source=bing&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=Shopping+%7c+NEW+condition+books&utm_term=&utm_content=%7cdc%7cpcrid%7c76622380847791%7cpkw%7c%7cpmt%7cbe%7cproduct%7c62116321%7cslid%7c%7cpgrid%7c1225955718369265%7cptaid%7cpla-4580221858468446%7c&msclkid=c8a090acc08013ea6646f68cfa59458e#isbn=B00196PDC4&idiq=62116321 Zakwato/Logledou's Peril, by Azo Vauguy, translated by Todd Fredson https://www.amazon.com/Zakwato-Logl%C3%AAdous-Peril-Azo-Vauguy/dp/0900575158/ref=sr_1_1?crid=F3LKCVQJ2MAI&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.CdHtRiq-AQUHPDrOwzYVSLsE217nVmkgVMoh5a6P-G7GjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.Lo3mzNn5kUJcJ-8gcw19u-qOgy4lJboS6DlzI4xFxrc&dib_tag=se&keywords=zakwato+%26+logl%C3%AAdous+peril&qid=1713388335&s=books&sprefix=zakwato+%26+logl%C3%AAdous+peril%2Cstripbooks%2C119&sr=1-1 North Woods, by Daniel Mason https://www.amazon.com/North-Woods-Novel-Daniel-Mason-ebook/dp/B0BPX7SF89/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3123AMBMTOSCJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.oU2E375QauyXDJny5rjXW4Q-yp-n7Ub8X8MKu3E4k-H8LUqMLNLSlTNcovJUgMpqJC-OFBh6bZCWpXYGiBGfEQi-I6JM154YlIz1_kqqnatf78N7IQ5PQ2oUkCounPCY9kOYu1R_e00kWGiysoFyn-iX3zSMUewWQdvWUS1L0MmyMU7Mlly-qXIR7iNakzyqkXl70wUi25QOZsbfUyz_daDOIqH7nkOBGjN3FCoBN3k.bWHjgu9cOys4YsXTToHPCTw2hZbvhP_ZTQ7I_8IcCPk&dib_tag=se&keywords=north+woods+daniel+mason&qid=1713388393&s=books&sprefix=north+woods+dani%2Cstripbooks%2C120&sr=1-1 Hispanic Society https://hispanicsociety.org/exhibitions/future-exhibitions/the-word-shimmering-sea-diego-velazquez-enrique-martinez-celaya/

We've got ANOTHER great episode for you today! Amanda Samoyloff, founder of Samoyloff PR, shares her journey into the world of public relations and branding. After getting her start promoting rock bands, Amanda launched her firm in 2017 and hasn't looked back, infusing her work with just the right touch of rock and roll swagger. Amanda emphasizes the importance of purposeful storytelling and understanding the client's brand and mission. She also discusses the challenges of PR in a changing media landscape and the need for a collaborative approach between marketing and PR. So come on, rock stars, you don't want to miss this one! Where can you find Amanda? Links below: Samoyloff PR Website(@samoyloffpr) Facebook Linkedin Twitter TikTok Instagram photos and videos Want to write your own life story with confidence? Get started with DIYBook.us for free: Write Your Life Story Book with DIYBook All the links for Writing for Immortality: writing4immortality Linktree Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Amanda Samoyloff and Samoyloff PR 01:01 Amanda's Journey into PR 09:36 Crafting a Narrative for Clients 20:17 Choosing the Right Social Media Platform 25:15 Staying Ahead of the Pulse: Learning New Practices in Social Media and PR 26:43 Finding and Maintaining a Consistent Brand Voice and Tone 29:46 Experimenting with Captions and Finding Your Voice 34:55 Overcoming Perfectionism and Taking Action 39:16 Discovering Your Story Through Writing and Poetry 44:53 Using Poetry as Inspiration for PR and Storytelling 46:59 Embracing Vulnerability and Sharing Your Story 50:12 Writing with Purpose and Telling Your Story

Summary In this episode, Barbara discusses whether ChatGPT and similar large language model programs can help people write their life stories. She explains that ChatGPT cannot generate a complete life story because it lacks personal knowledge and cannot retrieve specific information from the internet. However, it can be a helpful tool for generating paragraphs and overcoming writer's block. The quality of the output depends on the quality of the input data. Barbara suggests using Chat GPT as a starting point and then revising and editing the generated text to reflect one's own voice and experiences. LINKS Start writing your life story with DIYBook ChatGPT Can't Write Your Book, But It May Be Able To Help. - DIYBook Connect on Instagram @writing4immortality Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Chat GPT and Writing Your Life Story 01:58 Limitations of Chat GPT in Writing Life Stories 03:54 Using Chat GPT to Create Drafts 05:49 Chat GPT as a Tool for Writing 08:56 Efficiency and Assistance in Writing Life Stories 09:55 Understanding Chat GPT as a Tool 10:53 Continuing the Conversation 11:23 Outro

In this episode, Barbara Basbanes Richter interviews Rebecca Rego Barry about her book, The Vanishing of Carolyn Wells. Carolyn Wells was a mystery author in the early 20th century who has been largely forgotten today. Rebecca discusses Carolyn's life and career, from her late start as a writer to her success in various genres, including poetry, short stories, puzzles, and children's books. Rebecca also explores the challenges of researching Carolyn's life due to the lack of a central archive and the dispersal of her estate after her death. Chapters 00:00 Intro 00:58 Rebecca's Expertise in Books and Book History 02:04 Introduction and Background 03:05 Carolyn Wells's Early Life and Career 05:08 Carolyn Wells's Rise to Success 05:29 Little Magazines and Carolyn Wells's Writing 06:24 The Daily Tatler and Carolyn Wells's Letter 07:19 Carolyn Wells' Shift to Writing for Children 08:00 Carolyn Wells's Versatility as a Writer 08:56 Carolyn Wells's Extensive Bibliography 10:24 Challenges in Researching Carolyn Wells 12:15 Discovery of Carolyn Wells's Mermaid Album 14:50 Rebecca's Interest in Carolyn Wells 17:13 Carolyn Wells's Estate and Auction 21:23 Carolyn Wells's Mermaid Album 22:50 Writing Style and Approach in the Book 25:33 Carolyn Wells's Approach to Mystery Novels 30:28 Carolyn Wells's Marriage and Personal Life 33:31 Carolyn Wells's Persona and Popularity 34:59 Critics' Reception and Sales 35:57 Public Libraries' Love for Carolyn Wells 36:56 Carolyn Wells's Parodies and Satire 38:18 Carolyn Wells's Connections with Presidents 40:17 Carolyn Wells' Keynote Speeches and Literary Events 41:17 Carolyn Wells's Wordplay and Puzzle Books 43:44 Carolyn Wells's Collecting Bug 45:16 Carolyn Wells's Collection of Walt Whitman 48:28 Carolyn Wells's Work in Silent Films 50:43 Carolyn Wells's Personality and Hearing Loss 52:20 Carolyn Wells's Childhood Illness and Education 55:02 The Legacy of Carolyn Wells 58:23 The Challenge of Remembering Women Writers 59:42 Future Research on Carolyn Wells 01:00:03 Rebecca Rego Barry's Connection to Carolyn Wells 01:01:49 Outro

In this episode, Barbara discusses ghostwriting and the recent controversy surrounding President Biden's ghostwriter, Mark Zwanitzer. Barbara also highlights the long history of ghostwriters working with presidents and the importance of confidentiality in the ghostwriting relationship. She provides tips for finding a reliable ghostwriter, including researching their track record, asking about confidentiality provisions, and understanding their fee structure. Barbara concludes the episode by giving a writing exercise to improve storytelling abilities. Want to work with Barbara? Book a free 30-minute consultation here. Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:29 Ghostwriters coming out of the shadows 04:20 Responsibility of the ghostwriter 05:18 Confidentiality in ghostwriting 06:25 Historical examples of presidential ghostwriters 09:22 Choosing a reliable ghostwriter 12:31 Considering the fee structure 13:28 Writing exercise: Limitations

In today's episode, Barbara talks to Jane Goodrich, a photographer and founder of the Picsello platform that helps photographers build and sustain their businesses. They talk about how she got started, what led her to Picsello, how she believes that anyone can take a good photograph, and the importance of telling a great story through imagery. Stick around until the end when Jane and Barbara talk about AI and how it's changing the photography industry and human creativity. About Jane Goodrich: Jane Goodrich is an accomplished newborn and family photographer, an expert in the photography business, a professional mentor, and the visionary Founder of Picsello. Jane mentors professional photographers about the business side of photography and has taught classes and seminars for organizations such as PPA, Ana Brandt’s Baby University, The Baby Summit, and the Milkyway’s Business Retreat. Jane’s latest business venture is dedicated to empowering fellow photographers to succeed. Picsello is purpose-built software designed to provide the tools and support for photographers in the management, marketing, and monetization of their businesses. Connect with Jane: Picsello: www.picsello.com https://www.youtube.com/c/Picsello https://www.facebook.com/picsello http://www.linkedin.com/company/picsello https://www.instagram.com/teampicsello/ https://twitter.com/teampicsello http://www.pinterest.com/teampicsello/ https://www.tiktok.com/@teampicsello/ Jane Goodrich: www.janegoodrich.com www.janegoodrichphotography.com http://www.linkedin.com/in/janegoodrich/ https://twitter.com/janegoodrich_ https://www.facebook.com/JaneGoodrichPhotography/ https://www.instagram.com/jane.goodrich Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:50 Starting Pixello 06:38 The Importance of Treating Photography as a Business 09:55 The Confidence to Charge the Correct Price 13:15 Cultivating an Abundance Mindset 19:25 Developing Pixello Software 21:22 Gender Dynamics in the Photography Industry 26:59 Encouraging Confidence and Marketing Strategies 38:30 What Sets a Photographer Apart 44:12 The Impact of AI in the Photography Industry 49:27 The Impact of AI on Creativity 51:13 Discouraging Creativity and Future Careers 52:12 Closing Remarks

In this episode, Barbara explores the art of writing your life story and finding your voice. She emphasizes the importance of building a working library and using style guides to improve writing accuracy and efficiency. Barbara discusses the limitations of generative AI in writing and the need for writers to develop their own unique voice. She explains the characteristics of written voice and the differences between written and spoken voice. Barbara provides tips for developing a written voice, including reading widely, writing regularly, and experimenting with tone and style. She concludes with a writing challenge to eliminate weak words from writing. Takeaways Building a working library can give writers the tools and resources they need to produce high-quality writing. Generative AI can be helpful in the writing process, but it cannot fully capture a writer's unique voice and style. Style guides are valuable resources for writers, providing writing rules and conventions that ensure consistency and clarity. Developing a written voice requires reading widely, writing regularly, and finding authenticity in one's writing. Experimenting with tone and style can help writers discover their unique voice and improve their writing. Eliminating weak words, such as 'only,' 'rather,' 'really,' 'quite,' and 'in fact,' can improve the clarity and strength of writing. Links to style guides mentioned in this episode Dreyer's English The Chicago Manual of Style MLA Style Handbook Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Writing Your Life Story and Finding Your Voice 02:58 Building a Working Library 04:20 The Limitations of Generative AI in Writing 05:46 The Importance of Style Guides 08:12 Developing Your Written Voice 11:40 Understanding Written Voice vs. Spoken Voice 13:16 Characteristics of Written Voice 14:43 Finding Your Authenticity in Written Voice 20:09 Experimenting with Tone and Style 25:53 Writing Challenge: Eliminating Weak Words 28:06 Conclusion

Retired nurse Nancy Belouin joins Barbara to talk about writing her life story as a legacy for her children and why she's already at work writing her second life story book. Nancy used DIYBook to write her life story, where the prompts help writers reminisce about their past and engage in personal reflection. The online writing platform is easy to use and has tips to help writers like Nancy start and complete a rewarding and fulfilling project. Notes: 🙌 Nancy is an 80-year-old widow who decided to write her life story as a gift to her children. 1:49 ✅ How a friend's experience writing her life story inspired Nancy to do the same: 2:19 ❗ Don't miss an opportunity to write down family histories 3:00 💜 Propmts can be helpful, but Nancy was very organized as well. 3:35 👉 Nancy keeps her project a secret from her adult children, and their reaction was priceless 4:40 🍫 Memories are fleeting, but most people don't take the time to contextualize those memories by writing them down. 6:30 🧡 Writing is therapeutic for the grieving process 7:15 💜 Special memories come back that were forgotten, such as Nancy's childhood visits to her French-speaking grandparents in Maine 7:50 🧡 Nancy referred to photo albums to help remember stories 10:30 💜 Emotions could be happy or sad, depending on the story, but Nancy aimed to keep the story light and upbeat 12:00 ✅ Special family memories of Christmas 12:52 🧡 Nancy enlists a son-in-law to help her add pictures to the book and keep the book a secret 14:44 💜 Nancy starts her second book, dedicated to her husband's life, whom she met in high school. 15:17 🧡 The story of how Nancy met her future husband 15:56 💜 Nancy's 7 grandchildren read the book 19:09 🧡The DIYBook program made writing Nancy's life story easy and enjoyable 20:10

Do you think the first step to writing a life story is...writing? If so, you're in for a surprise. In this episode of the Writing for Immortality podcast, Barbara explores the topic of writing a life story book and tells us that getting started doesn't mean sitting down to write--at least, not right away. Barbara emphasizes preserving personal experiences and capturing narratives for future generations. She also discusses the time commitment required for writing a book and advises listeners to set realistic goals. (A book in six months? Maybe. A book in 6 days? Probably not.) Then, she gets into the preparation and research process, including identifying the subject, conducting interviews, and verifying facts. And finally, Barbara stresses the importance of organizing and cataloging research materials to help writers keep their sanity and facilitate the writing process. Takeaways Writing a life story book allows individuals to preserve their experiences and create a lasting legacy. Setting realistic goals and considering the time commitment required is crucial for completing a book. The preparation and research process, including identifying the subject and gathering materials, is essential before starting the writing process. Conducting oral history interviews and verifying factual information adds depth and accuracy to the book. Transcription platforms: We could do a whole episode on AI vs. human transcriptions--maybe we will! In the meantime, here are our top 3 picks: https://www.rev.com/ (Offers AI and human transcriptions. Barbara uses Rev--voted best transcription service of 2024 by PCMag) https://gotranscript.com/transcription-services (low-price human transcriptions) https://otter.ai/ (AI transcriptions) Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Writing a Life Story Book 02:20 Considerations Before Starting the Writing Process 04:40 Approaching the Writing Process 05:10 Preparation and Research 11:19 Gathering Research Materials 13:44 Conducting Oral History Interviews 16:37 Verifying Factual Information 18:28 Organizing and Cataloging Research Materials 20:49 Conclusion and Next Steps About Barbara: As the founder of In Ink Ghostwriting and DIYBook Barbara has dedicated her career to helping people preserve their stories in print. This podcast is an extension of that work. Everyone has a story to tell--remember that!

"Writing for Immortality" is for writers ready to start and finish their books as well as those who simply love good writing. We'll discuss the world of book creation, with each episode unlocking the secrets of transforming an idea into a masterpiece. Join us as we navigate the twists and turns of a writer’s journey, offering insider advice and strategies for every stage of the writing process. Our guests include authors, artists, PR professionals, and literary agents who will share their tips and tricks to help you write something that stands the test of time. Your host is Barbara Basbanes Richter, a twenty-year veteran of the writing world and founder of In Ink Ghostwriting, a full-service ghostwriting firm, and DIYBook, a fully online do-it-yourself guided writing program that helps people write their life stories and business books affordably.