Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO, on Telling Life Stories

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO, encourages seniors to share their life stories as a way of preserving the past. For those who consider this a challenging process, Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO, offers proven techniques that will make the effort more manageable.

Information Nation: What are the best topics for a life story?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: The best topics for a life story are interesting or even dramatic experiences of the storytellers and their loved ones.

Information Nation: What are some other ideas?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: Highlighting influential people who have made an impact on one’s life will give the story its anchor.

Information Nation: Should there be a common theme?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: The theme of a story should be the valuable lessons or morals that have been learned throughout the years.

Information Nation: How does one begin the process?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: Write and write until it is necessary to stop. The beginning stages are as simple as that.

Information Nation: What about correcting errors?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: Don’t worry about fixing mistakes. Editing comes later. Elaborate on each of the important points without worrying if the passage is too long or not focused enough.

Information Nation: Who can assist in the editing process?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: First of all, a best friend or family member will not provide the most vital feedback.

Information Nation: Why is that?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: A best friend or family member will not have the ability to be objective. Find a friend or acquaintance to think critically and provide specific examples of how the story can be improved.

Information Nation: What if someone doesn’t like to write?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: The option is always available to purchase a cheap but durable microcassette recorder and speak into it as a means to tell the story.

Information Nation: How does one then transfer this information to the page?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: What’s been recorded can later be transcribed by a stenographer or transcription service. To find a possible assistant, place an advertisement in the local paper, peruse Craigslist employment posts, or seek out students from the local college or university.

Information Nation: Are there other options?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: Hiring a ghostwriter has been popular for many individuals who need extra help with the writing process.

Information Nation: Who benefits from one’s life story?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: Family members, friends and even strangers will benefit from the lessons learned and the experience they’ll share by hearing the story. Passing on the legacy to loved ones is a great gift that they will not take for granted.

Information Nation: Any final piece of advice?

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO: Whether it’s on a computer or with pen and paper, write without fear.

Pam Gray, Bonaventure Senior Living COO, has served in this role since 2007. Her career has spanned more than 20 years of retirement community experience.