My relationship with my dad wasn’t perfect. But I loved him. And I’m grateful that I recorded interviews with him to write his memoir before he very unexpectedly passed away due to complications from COVID-19.

We are going through a period of rapid change in our society: Technology, social norms, business practices, medicine, politics, the weather—you name it! Ethics are constantly being discussed, questioned and debated. I’m sure you’ve had those kinds of conversations at some point in recent years. 

People who are writing their memoir often ask me to recommend a book. Well, until the Stories to Last book is complete (Look for it later this year!), Inventing the Truth: The Art and Craft of Memoir by William Zinsser (Mariner, 1998) is a good choice. 

We rely on our elders for guidance.

But too often, we shy away from sharing our personal stories, especially the emotional ones, the ones involving mistakes or shame. We feel vulnerable. 

But those stories can help others! Human feelings are universal.