I am doing a proof of concept for a possible new book. That book will consist of writing about events that have impacted ordinary people’s lives (good or bad). See my re-post below for more information. You can reach me at SPAMmike_kuna@hotmail.com if you are interested. Please remove the word SPAM from my email address.
I hope to hear from you!
Dr. Mike
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(original post below)
LET ME WRITE YOUR STORY
I want to document the lives of people. This process would involve writing their story and taking some photos of them. I’m interested in telling the story of regular people who have had extraordinary experiences. Extraordinary is a confusing modifier, so let me explain. I would like to write about stories that changed the direction of someone’s life, either for good or for bad.
Most of us would say that having a child causes a monumental change in a person’s life. But what about the person who had to deal with a child’s serious illness, or perhaps the person who had a severe illness as a child? Did these experiences significantly change the trajectory of their life?
How about someone who fell into a career path, only to find out that it was their life’s calling? How about the person whose career path almost destroyed them?
Do you have a passionate interest that has impacted your life? Are you driven to change the world, no matter how small? Have you changed your ways (good or bad), and how did that impact you? Did you make a significant career change that was surprising to those around you? Did some random event transform your life? YOUR LIFE MATTERS. YOU HAVE A STORY TO TELL.
I would want to explore one storyline with you, which would likely take several hours of your time. Also, I would spend some time with you to take some photos.
I would write up your story and post it on my blog along with some of the photos that I shot. I’m doing this as a proof-of-concept for a possible book, which could include your story.
Who will know who you were 100 years from now? I look at old photos of relatives, and I don’t even know their names, let alone their story. What would it be like to personally touch a future relative? What would it be like for them to know just a little about who you were? What would it be like to have someone distill a pivotal part of your life into a cohesive narrative? What would it be like to have high-quality photos attached to that story? Images that would transform written words into a real person to the reader. Not just random cell phone snapshots, but pictures that were taken with the expressed purpose of making your story real.
I am a professional interviewer. I am a writer. I shoot photos professionally. There are folks with lesser skills who would charge you to do what I’m offering to do. Your story is worth telling.
If you are interested, here are some more details:
My initial effort will be limited to 5 stories (5 individuals). If you have an interest in me doing this for you, please don’t wait or hesitate.
I will decide whose stories that I document.
For this round, I will travel up to two hours (by car) from my Chicago area home.
Naturally, you will need to allow me to post/publish your story and photos. (I know, obvious)
I will make my written narrative and select photos available to you for your archives.
Email me at SPAMmike_kuna@hotmail.com (remove the word “SPAM” in the email address). In a paragraph or two tell me about your story. Don’t let yourself or your story disappear with the passing of time.
Let me know if you are interested.
Dr. Mike
PS If you are further than 2 hours away from Chicago, write me anyway. Although my initial efforts are limited geographically, I absolutely will consider expanding the scope of this project in the future if there is enough interest.