Memoire Life Story

A Memoire© Life Story™ is typically 1000 words long. That’s about as long as an average feature story in the daily paper. Click here to review a sample MLS. If desired, the MLS can be expanded for a modest additional charge.

What does an average length MLS cost?

The charge for an MLS based on a telephone interview is $250, and for an in-person interview it is $350 plus travel expenses. Expanded MLS’s are $100 for each additional 250 words.

How long does the process take?

MLS interviewers are professionals and their writing skills are in demand. Interviews are scheduled at a time convenient for the subject and available to the MLS professional. To smooth the process, a simple fact sheet is sent for the subject to fill out in advance, or someone else if the MLS is a surprise gift. Information requested in the fact sheet includes: milestone dates, names of important people, jobs, residences, etc. Typically an interview takes about an hour or longer. At the conclusion of the interview, the MLS writer will briefly summarize the information and anecdotes that will be used in the MLS. A few weeks later, a draft copy of the MLS is sent for review. At this time, revisions and corrections are made and sent back to the MLS professional who then prepares a final copy.

Does the interviewer take notes?

Most certainly. And the interviewer will make an audio tape as well to ensure accuracy.

What do I get for my money?

Your Memoire© Life Story™ is a unique, creatively written narrative based on the memories and recollections of the subject. The idea is to create a lively and interesting mini-biography that preserves the highlights of someone’s life. Imagine how interesting it might be if your great grandfather’s great grandparents had taken the time to record something significant about their lives. How much fun would it be to have such valuable recollections in written form to reminisce about at important family gatherings. Your MLS will be bound in a sturdy plastic protector and a spare loose-leaf copy is included, suitable for making duplicates on a copying machine.

Why do I need you? Why not just sit down and write an MLS myself?

That’s a great Idea! We mean it. If you have the time and energy, you really should do it. Fact is, however, that people often find it difficult to interview others and doubly difficult to write about themselves. Few of us have the required time and commitment to write a daily dairy or even a weekly journal. Time slips by and those important moments get locked away in memory. A Life Story™ can help unlock and preserve those cherished memories.

Will the person I’m buying an MLS for feel uncomfortable? Is it like an invasion of privacy?

Usually, it’s just the opposite. The subject feels very flattered and is almost always eager to recount all those great memories.

What if I want one for myself. Isn’t that a little egotistical?

Not at all, it is very healthy. Family and friends sincerely want to know about the things that are important to you, but it is difficult to find the time to talk and it is hard to keep things straight when relying on remembered conversations. Often, your MLS is a part of their lives and their memories as well. Your MLS is really a gift of cherished memories.

What if I, or the person I am gifting this MLS to, can’t think of anything to say?

This is rarely a problem. MLS interviewers are pros. They come prepared with plenty of stimulating questions. Usually, however, they spend most of their time gently guiding the conversation and carefully listening. Once the interview gets going, subjects normally find lots to talk about.

Who owns each person’s MLS?

The subject and the person who purchases the MLS own the right to use and reproduce the MLS (see the MLS agreement for details). Memoire© Life Story™ retains the copyright for the MLS. Just as a newspaper retains the copyright to news stories about newsmakers, Memoire© Life Story™ retains the copyright to the work produced by its writers (many of whom are print or broadcast journalists). This arrangement benefits future generations who, for one reason or another, do not have access to an original copy of an MLS. At any time, they can purchase a new copy for their family records at a reasonable cost.

Can I add to or change the MLS on my own? What happens years later when new things happen?

Of course you may change the MLS, so long as you don’t use it for professional publication purposes. Years later you can update the MLS on your own, using the original as a model, or you can hire Memoire© Life Story™ to update it.

What other services are available?

Memoire© Life Story™ also offers:

1) Updating, expansion and revision services for an existing MLS.

2) Tapes, CDs, videotape, and DVDs of MLS interviews.

3) Website and home page services for families and individuals.

4) Family scrapbook services.

5) Family research services.

6) Obituaries.

7) Milestone announcements to customer lists (e.g. the Jones Family or the Smith Corp. is pleased to announce…)

What kinds of persons buy MLS services?

Relatives who want to honor a family member.

Friends who want to recognize a special friend.

Organizations who want to pay tribute to an outstanding person or donor.

Companies who want to recognize an exceptional employee

Individuals who want to pass along their wisdom, experience and knowledge to future generations.

Proud parents who wish to memorialize outstanding events in their child’s life.

Lovers who want to bond more closely… the list is almost endless.

Do we always have to do a person’s full Life Story?

No. Not at all. Memoire© Life Story™ does any kind of treatment that a subscriber chooses. We can focus on a business life story, a sports life story, a political life story, a professional life story. We can focus on your travels, even a single trip somewhere, or any memorable event. We can tell just about any story that you wish to memorialize.

How do I get started?

If you are ready to initiate an MLS, just fill out the pre-interview questionnaire as completely as possible and send it to us along with your credit card information. If you prefer, you can print a completed copy of the pre-interview questionnaire and mail it with your credit card information or a personal check or money order to: Memoire, PO Box 437, Montville, NJ 07045. If you need more information first, please call us at 973-263-5730 to discuss a project or get more details – there’s no hard sell, you’ll be talking to a writer not a salesman.

What is your refund policy?

If you cancel your MLS order before the scheduled interview is conducted, you are entitled to a full refund. If you cancel after the interview, but before the MLS is written (2 to 5 days) there is a charge of $100 for a telephone interview and $200 plus expenses for an in-person interview. Once the MLS has been written (i.e. after 5 days), the process has been completed and no refund is made.

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