From Tom Gilbert – Editor and Writer, www.your-life-your-story.com

In this Issue:

Opening remarks: Thanksgiving Stuffing
Featured Article: Band Together
Resources You Can Use: Your Professional Bio, Family Newsletter

Opening Remarks: Thanksgiving Stuffing

There are many reasons why this can be hard. We can rub each other the wrong way and it is easy to look at the others to point blame, but looking at what we can change about ourselves is much harder. It occurs to me that I would not consider changing some of my character defects without interaction with others, most especially my family members.

I’ve finished up the life story for a client, Jeannette Morris, and it is going to print now. That has been an amazing experience. My next project is with a poet, Ahrend Walters, who wants a shorter biography to accompany his books. Each of these personal history projects helps me to grow and appreciate others’ lives. I am grateful for the opportunity to tell their stories. I can help you tell yours, too. Someday we may work together, but at the very least I hope that I can provide you some encouragement to preserve your personal history.

You are receiving this e-zine it because you signed up for it or someone who is subscribed passed it along to you. It is a special thing to share with you life story writing and personal history tips, resources and thoughts. If you like what you read here, you can pass it along to a friend. If a friend DID forward this to you and if you like what you read, please subscribe by visiting our signup page . Also, let me know what you’d like to see more of in this newsletter – simply reply to this email e-zine.

While the main focus of this newsletter is to share thoughts, ideas, and insights on life story writing you should know that I offer various services and also mention some products and services that can be helpful. You are under no obligation to purchase anything, but if any of these products or services are helpful and you decide to utilize them then I am most grateful.

Thanks for reading. – Tom

Featured Article: Band Together

I’m a life-long lover of music and I’ve spent a great deal of my adult like working in the radio industry. If I had the talent I’m sure I’d play music for a living. Since I don’t I consider the next best thing is giving airplay to the rock bands that have meant so much to me growing up.

Music groups have to spend a lot of time together, especially if they both record and tour. When talented individuals spend that much time together it is inevitable that there will be sparks. Those sparks can be great moments of inspiring music and they can be flashes of creative differences that lead to arguments and breakups.

Bands are like families. Sometimes you get along; sometimes you don’t. I recently watched a very good DVD from the "Classic albums" series on a group known simply as The Band. This group had its heyday in the sixties and seventies and started out as the backing band for Bob Dylan. However the great talent of the five members is such that they were bound to make their own music. There was no one individual more important than the others.

Rick Danko, Levon Helm, Garth Hudson, Richard Manuel and Robbie Robertson were each versatile with their songwriting, their playing and their singing. The Band was great because of their combined talents, their willingness to each be a member contributing to the whole and the commitment to be true to their musical desires and not the whim and fancy of any current trend.

Some of the themes of The Band’s songs come from America’s history with tales of rural living, hardship and good honest work. Listen to King Harvest (Has Surely Come) and you sense the frustration of the farmer who is hurt by both the harshness of Mother Nature and the insensitivity of his labor union that promises more than can be delivered.

Another of The Band’s classic songs is The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down and the words and mournful singing makes you weep for the Southern family robbed of their dignity by both Union and Confederate soldiers.

You probably know more of The Band’s songs. Up on Cripple Creek and The Weight were radio hits, but they have lesser known tunes that shimmer with emotion and the language of the heart.

Your family is a great treasure and if you can "band together" with the various talents and gifts each member can bring you can rise above disagreements and the trials and struggles of life. Celebrate life as a family and preserve it for the unique history you give the world. What a gift when family members can make the music of life with the honesty and beauty The Band did.

You can read other articles on life-story writing here.

Resources You Can Use

Work history, personal interests, accomplishments and goals are all important when presenting a resume. But when you want to get your foot in the door you must stand out from the crowd. Getting noticed is hard, but now you can increase your chances. A new service of Your Life is Your Story is the one page Professional Bio. Hire me to write a short bio that introduces you to a prospective employer, investor or anyone you need to make a quick connection with. You provide some initial information, then I do a short interview (phone or email). In a matter of a few days I'll craft a one-page biography that sets you apart from the pack.

Details here.

Family Newsletter

Every year around this time I start reminiscing about the past year. Do you? One way to share your story with your closest friends and family members is to send a letter of the year’s highlights and significant events.

A family newsletter is a great way to do this. I can do the writing for you and provide you with something your family will treasure. It’s a small investment on your part and it would make a great addition to your holiday cards and gifts. Find out more here.

That’s it for this month’s issue. Thanks for reading. Be sure to visit our blog regularly, and here’s to telling your story. Do give it some serious consideration because I just know you’ve got a great story to tell! Be sure to see the Get Started section.

Any comments, ideas or feedback is greatly appreciated. Just reply to this ‘zine and tell me what you think!

Until next time, – keep your story alive!

Tom Gilbert