Secure your spot in the free Beta Program before it is offered to the general public
Turn One Meaningful Memory Into A Story Your Family Can See, Hear And Keep
Everything you need to choose a memory, write a short personal story, add photographs, record it and create a simple online home for it—without complicated technology or trying to document your entire life at once.
You're ready to move beyond thinking that someday you really should do something with all those memories, photographs and family stories and actually create something that can be preserved and shared.
Join the Beta Program of Your Life Stories online. We are looking for 6 people who want to get in on the first version of the Course before it is offered at the regular cost in November.
Maybe you're...
Looking at a lifetime of memories and wondering where on earth to begin.
Concerned that you're “not much of a writer” or won't know what to say.
Interested in preserving stories digitally but intimidated by YouTube, websites, video editing and all the technology involved.
Imagine what a simple, guided storytelling process could make possible:
Complete a meaningful personal story instead of simply thinking about writing one.
Bring photographs, your own words and your own voice together in a way that feels personal and lasting.
Let family members hear—and perhaps see—you telling the story in your own way.
Create a simple digital story home that can grow as you add more memories over time.
WELCOME TO YOUR LIFE STORIES ONLINE
Begin With One Story. Learn The Process.
Build From there
Your LIfe Stories Online gives you a practical, step-by-step way to move from
"I really should preserve these stories" to actually completing one.
Why Your Life Stories Online
Learn how to turn a memory into a short story
Turn that story into a lasting visual
easily create a Youtube channel and simple webpage
live coaching in small groups of like minded people
Hey, I'm Gordon Deyell!
I help people over 50 like you discover, write and preserve meaningful stories from their lives, so they can share these moments in more ways than just the written word.
I designed Your Life Stories Online to bring together my Guided Autobiography training and interest in making technology less intimidating and frustrating for people over 50.
The result is a course that isn't rally about technology. It's about helping your stories live on.
The technology is simply there to help us do it.
That's why it includes: video lessons, step by step guidance using handouts, live group coaching sessions throughout the 6 weeks of the program. And there is also the opportunity to receive further coaching as you write and publish additional stories.
INTRODUCING
Your Life Stories Online
Your Life Stories Online is a step-by-step online course for people over 50 who want to preserve meaningful personal memories and family stories by combining writing, photographs, their own voice and simple online tools.
• Instead of trying to tackle your entire life story, you'll complete one meaningful story from beginning to end.
• And once you've learned how to do that, you'll have a process you can use again and again
Here's what you'll achieve:
A Finished Story You Are Proud To Share
You'll take one meaningful memory and turn it into a clear, engaging personal story of apporximately 300-500 words
• Not a biography.
•Not a family history.
•One story that captures a moment and why it mattered.
A Story You Can Share with Your Family
You will combine your story with photographs or simple visuals and create a short recording or video.
For those comfortable appearing on camera, this create something especially powerful
your family doesn't just receive your story—they get to see and hear you telling it.
A Digital Home For Your Stories
You'll create a simple free webpage where you first story can live
Over time, that page can grow into a personal collection of stories, photographs and memories that can be shared with the people you choose
How it Works
Each week, a new module of the course will be unlocked, allowing you to absorb and apply your new knowledge without feeling overwhelmed.
Here's what you can expect:
Week 1: Choose — Find the story hidden inside a lifetime of memories
• Identify several possible story themes
• Choose one memory you most like to preserve first
• You will discover beginning small actually makes it easier to keep going
Outcome: A clear choice for your first story
Week 2: Write — turn a memory into a story
• Focus on one moment
• What happened
• Why that experience still matters to you
Outcome: A completed first draft of your personal story
Week 3: Gather — Bring your story to life with photographs and objects
• Select photographs, documents, objects and other visuals
• Organize everything in one simple project folder on your computer
Outcome: Your story and visual marerials organized and ready to record
Week 4: Record — Let your family hear the story in your voice
• You choose a recording approach that feels comfortable
• Guidence on camera placement, lighting and sound
• Learn only the editing skills necessary to complete your first story project
Outcome: One finished short story video or presentation
...and so on, until the final week when you have uploaded your video to YouTube and created your first web page for you to share your stories..
Course runs from Sat to Sat for the live coaching sessions. New lessons released every Monday!
Wondering if this is for you?
You have stories you'd like your children, grandchildren, family and friends to know
You've been meaning to do something with your photographs and memories but the project has always seemed too big
You don't consider yourself a writer — but you know there are experiences from your life worth remembering
You like the idea of your family being able to hear your voice or see you telling your stories years from now
If you’ve nodded your head along, then Your Life Stories Online was designed with you in mind.
Any questions?
Email me at gord@onlineafter50.ca
Your Life Stories Online helps people like you create and preserve your important life stories.
If you're ready to create a lasting home for your stories and have your family and friends relive those moments with you,
join me today.
Frequently asked questions:
No. This isn't a creative-writing course and you don't need previous writing experience.
You'll learn a straightforward way to turn one memory into a short, natural personal story. The goal isn't literary perfection. It's to sound like you.
Yes. In fact, the course is specifically designed for people with beginner-level technology skills.
We'll work step by step through the technology required for the project without trying to turn you into a YouTube expert, video editor or website designer.
Yes. Basic computer skills and a computer are a basic part in doing the course work. However if you have a close relative that has a computer and can work with you in the course you could participate.
No.
You can read your story on camera, narrate it over photographs or choose another simple format that feels comfortable.
I will encourage you to consider appearing on camera because there is something very special about allowing future family members to see you as well as hear your story—but the choice is yours.
They don't have to be.
You'll learn about YouTube's Public, Unlisted and Private visibility choices so you can decide who should have access to each story.
Privacy and thoughtful sharing are an important part of the course.
No.
For most participants, the equipment you already own—such as a phone, tablet or computer—will be enough to begin.
The emphasis is on preserving the story, not creating a Hollywood production.
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