Preserving My Grandmother’s Story, Part 2: Our First Biography Interview
When I sat down with my mother last week to plan my first interview session with my 92-year-old grandmother, I was excited but also a little nervous. Even though I had spent weeks preparing, I still wondered: Would my grandmother really want to share all these memories for her biography? How long could she talk before it became too tiring? What happened next surpassed all my hopes—and reminded me why this journey is so important.
The Preparations: Turning Interview Plans Into Action
In my previous post about the biography preparation, I explained how crucial it was to get my grandmother’s permission and gather the right materials. This time, we turned those plans into reality:
Coordinating with Family
My mother and I met to finalize a list of questions and map out the key milestones in my grandmother’s life. We also took the time to draw a basic timeline—marking events like her childhood during WWII, her first marriage, widowhood, and a new chapter of life with my grandfather.Choosing the Right Tools
We decided to record the interview in two ways: one iPhone for audio (dictaphone) and another to film in cinematic mode. Using a tripod helped keep everything steady. A helpful YouTube tutorial guided us in finding the perfect angle and lighting—so we could focus on the conversation instead of fiddling with our setup.Checking In and Gaining Comfort
A few days before our scheduled interview, my mother gave my grandmother a call—reiterating our hope to create a relaxed, enjoyable experience. This small gesture went a long way, ensuring she felt comfortable and looked forward to the session.
The Biography Interview: Finding Surprising Depth
On the morning of the interview, we arrived at my grandmother’s home armed with notes, a camera, and curiosity. We started by reminding her of our plan:
- Why we’re doing it: To leave a lasting record of her life for future generations.
- Who it’s for: Family and friends who may not have heard these stories first-hand.
- What she hopes others will learn: The wisdom and resilience that come with living through monumental historical events and personal challenges.
Expecting One Hour… Getting Two and a Half
We intended to keep the session to about an hour, mindful of her age. But as my grandmother began recalling details of her early years, something wonderful happened: she lit up with energy. Not only did she share stories my mother had never heard before, but she also seemed genuinely excited to keep going. Before we knew it, we had talked for two and a half hours—covering about half her life story in delightful detail.
What We Learned: The Joy of Listening
As my mother and I drove home, we couldn’t stop talking about how profound the experience had been. Here are our biggest takeaways:
Deeper Understanding
Even though we’d heard bits and pieces of these stories over the years, having a dedicated, focused time to explore her memories provided a richer, more nuanced understanding of her life—particularly during WWII and the years that followed.Emotional Connection
Far from being tiring, the interview energized my grandmother. It reminded us just how meaningful it is for elders to have someone truly listen to their experiences. We left feeling closer to her, with an even greater appreciation for everything she’s lived through.New Paths to Explore
We realized that some parts of her story might be confirmed or enriched by talking to other relatives. This encouraged us to reach out to cousins, aunts, and uncles for additional context and memories—making this a community effort, not just a single interview.
Want to Do This Yourself? We Can Help
If reading this sparks a desire in you to preserve your family stories, you’re exactly who I created Abrevity for. My background in AI and technology drove me to develop tools and frameworks to make capturing a family member’s history not only simpler, but deeply meaningful.
All you really need to get started is:
- A phone (or two) for recording
- A tripod or stable surface (if you plan to film)
- A set of prepared questions to gently guide the conversation
I’ve compiled all my resources—from question frameworks to technical setup guides—into a comprehensive package. It’s everything you need to ensure your interviews run smoothly and yield rich, lasting memories.
Join the Journey: The Pioneer Offer to write your biography (10 Spots Only)
In my last post, I opened up a special invitation for 10 people to join me on this journey of preserving family stories. A few spots still remain! For $99 (regular price $249), you’ll get:
- Exclusive Access to the tools, templates, and structured process I’ve been developing
- Personal Support from me to guide you through the interviewing process
- A Beautifully Printed Hardcover Book of your family’s story—because these memories deserve a tangible legacy
- Three Personalized Digital Versions to share with relatives near and far
- Direct Guidance as we navigate the challenges and rewards of capturing family stories, side by side
It’s a hands-on approach to ensuring you don’t let another year go by without documenting your family history.
If you’re feeling that little nudge—maybe you’ve been thinking about capturing your grandmother’s, grandfather’s, or parents’ stories for years—this is your sign to do it. Don’t wait until it’s too late.
Click here to secure one of the 10 Pioneer spots and purchase the family package to write a biography.
Next Steps: Diving Deeper
For us, the next step is obvious: schedule another session with my grandmother. We still have so much ground to cover, and I can’t wait to discover more unknown chapters of her story. I plan to share updates as we go—both the joys and the challenges—in the hopes that it will inspire you to start your own family story project.
Thank you for following along on this personal journey. I look forward to sharing the next stage of my grandmother’s story—and hearing about yours as well.
