Getting the Story Down

Questions and answers on writing life experiences for ourselves and others.

Index of Questions

1. Why is it important to record life stories?

2. What if your life seems boring and ordinary? Who will want to read it?

3. What is the best way to capture the story? Video, oral tapes, written narrative etc.

4. What is a story? Definitions of different types of life experiences and how they are captured.

5. Who's who in the capture of a life event: Story teller, listener, interviewer, historian, audience, transciptionist, archivist etc.

6. What is the role of a listener? How should the questions be phrased so that bias or personality is subdued and the storyteller is in charge?

7. Is the role different if the storyteller is facing a life threatening disease?

8. How do you handle it if in telling of the story emotions and repressed feelings surface?

9. How do you get enough information? When do you turn to family members or public records?

10. How much time does it take to complete a story? Everyone is so busy and life goes by so quickly, how can I ever squeeze this in?

11. What is truth? Why would two different people present at the same event see it entirely different and which version do you believe and record?

12. How should you convey the story? First person, third person, lots of photos with captions, small easily read sections or one long letter?

13. What are the main types of personal anecdotes, life events, experiences, tragedies and triumphs that make a good memoir?

14. How do you narrow it down to the "real" story? What is hidden beneath the iceberg?

15. What are some questions to jog memories?

16. What about editing, spelling, composition etc? What if others judge your work and find it less than perfect?

17. How do you structure the narrative so that it is interesting, believable and leaves the message the story teller wanted to convey?

18. What do you do with the narrative when you have finished writing it?

19. Who does the finished work belong to?

20. Where can you find additional assistance on personal historians or story telling issues?

21. Where is the paper and pen?

If you are interested in getting the answers to these and other questions about life story writing, please contact us at judywright@artichokepress.com and sign up for a tele-class and our FREE e-zine: "The Artichoke" - finding the heart of the story in the journey of life..

?Judy H. Wright, Personal and Oral Historian - www.artichokepress.com

The Inn at Woodstock Hill: Classic New England Atmosphere in Beautiful Northeastern Connecticut

Many vacation spots purport to offer true relaxation, but upon closer inspection impede the promise with myriad outlet stores, souvenir shops, heavy traffic akin to the kind you were trying to ecsape, and trendy restaurants offering lots of attitude and very little food.

The Inn at Woodstock Hill, in Northeastern Connecticut's pristine town of Woodstock, avoids these modern day tourist trappings by just being itself. And, in turn, you can be yourself. Beautifuly situated in the gentle rolling hills of a town center with no traffic, gas stations and few stores, The Inn at Woodstock Hill is like meeting that special, once-in-a-lifetime love--once you meet this romantic vacation destiny, you're sure to return again and again.

Around the corner from the bustling downtown complete with a produce stand, a church and colonial homes (the town's idea of a strip mall are rows of apple orchards), the placid Inn at Woodstock Hill could convince the most hardcore business executive to slow down, breathe in the untouched air, and marvel at the old and wise tall trees. First, consider the nice, warm people who make the Inn at Woodstock Hill such a special place. They just don't tell you to have a nice time, but actually are part of that experience with nice conversation and a graciousness only known in a previous New England era. They make you feel like a part of their lives, and that is truly rare in this one-hour, fast food, drive-through society in which we live.

The Inn, listed on the National Register of Historic Places, stands majestically on Plain Hill. Built in 1816, the Inn largely consists of a Federal/Georgian style mansion with a carriage house and two barns. Later additions were built in the last half of the 19th century. In 1927, a caretaker's cottage, with three guestrooms, was built.

Everything you see here is truly beautiful, the prototype for an elegant country inn. As you drive up the circular entrance drive, you see the manicured gardens and know that you are in for a special treat. Upon entering the remarkably renovated inn, the warmth of classical archways draw you deeper into the heart of the stately establishment, to the reception desk. Surrounded by floral wall and window treatments and scattered, but well-placed thriving plants reminiscent of your grandmother's house, you are suddenly feeling more relaxed and begin eyeing the comfortable-looking seating in the sitting rooms, lined by shelves of old classics (and also a children's literature section) and newer releases.

The Inn at Woodstock Hill offers 22 beautiful rooms. We recently had the honor of staying in a room with a strikingly charming 20 foot high ceiling, antique and period reproductions and a four poster canopy king sized bed. Big windows provided wonderful views of the open land and hills beautifully framing the backyard. We later realized that modern amenities also existed such as cable television, videos, a telephone and computer jack, but none of that interested us much. We were strictly interested in doing nothing, which is ultimately everything.

So comfortable was our nap that we almost forgot about our dinner reservations downstairs at what turned out to be a truly remarkable restaurant. We walked down the elegant red carpeted, curved staircase (which was wrapped in tulle, with just the right amount of ivy and floral accents to make you feel as if you were royalty floating down to meet your subjects) straight to a charming little dining room with candlelight, a fireplace and old world furnishings. This was the smaller dining room which was long on warmth, ambience and an incredibly fine menu. We devoured some crab cakes, as good as anything we've had in Maryland. The caesar salad mixed fresh dark greens with a "just right" dressing. After finishing some wonderfully warm homemade bread, we then fell in love with the irresistablly tender and tasty Long Island duckling with a brandied lingonberry glaze. The New York sirloin steak had perhaps a little too much pepper, but that was no problem, as the quality of the steak rivaled the best steak houses in New England. For dessert, we sampled a fallen chocolate cake, which we had instantly fallen for. Not in recent memory had we tasted such a rich, yet airy chocolate, with just the right amount of raspberry sauce, ultimately designed to finish within seconds because of its incredible taste.

After dinner, we walked off some of the food by experiencing the other rooms at the Inn. The main living room has yet more stunning period furnishings, a roaring fireplace, classic hardwood floors and large, open windows to view those rolling hills beyond scenic Route 169. The main dining room is like a larger version of the smaller dining room, but probably more reminiscent of an old world hotel dining room. Candlelight, soft music, polished silver, beautiful crystal and fine linen are just a few of the touches, which complement the superb food.

Before retiring for the evening, we chatted for a while with a manager who told us of the virtues of the Woodstock area, also known as part of the "Quiet Corner" of Connecticut. He, as well, as other Inn personnel are either happy transplants or lifelong residents. It was touching to hear someone speak from the heart on the place they have chosen to live, instead of uttering cookie cutter promotional talk. Just like the leisurely look of the Inn, the personnel talks in a most relaxed and friendly tone. You never feel an aura of pretentiousness, which could be the case at such an elegant, historical setting.

We slept so well that night in one of the most comfortable beds known to us. Refreshed the next morning, we walked down that memorable staircase one more time to have a fine continental breakfast, with fresh fruit, muffins and bread serving as quality offerings.

We then rested a little more in our room, hesitatingly signed out, and promised to come back soon. Traveling home on scenic Route 169 -- one of the most beautiful bucolic drives in New England -- gave us some great last memories of this underrated region, but in our minds, we wanted to turn around and head back to the Inn at Woodstock Hill. Just hours after leaving the Inn, we missed it greatly, indeed like meeting that special someone for the first time, and then eagerly awaiting that second date. We can hardly wait for that second date, with an eye to commit ourselves, forever, to frequenting this classic New England inn.

The Inn at Woodstock Hill, 94 Plaine Hill Road,Woodstock, CT 06281-2912. Phone: (860) 928-0528

Visiting New England.com (http://www.visitingnewengland.com) is a lively travel and vacation web site, focusing on travel essays, reviews, resources and gift ideas. From dining and lodging to discovering the best tourist destinations (well known and hidden gems), Visiting New England.com is written by native New Englanders, having an inside scoop on the wonderful six state region.

Remote Viewing - Making Light of the Dark

Even Pandora and her box come in two versions. In one, the hideous woes of the world are let loose while locking hope inside. In another, life's joys are allowed to overflow their container, leaving the dark behind. In both versions, the light and dark of all metaphor clearly exists in perpetuity.

In fact, light and dark do more than merely co-exist. These major components of creation make up the container of all things. This dynamic juxtaposition is what holds our very life in its hands - the cosmic glue that binds us all to the pulse of spiritual continuity. As Pandora eventually discovers, it is the box that is the illusion.

What's In the Box?

The last half of the 20th century, the Soviet Union loomed large in the picture of potential threats. When word got out that Russian scientists. were experimenting successfully with psi phenomena for espionage and remote influencing, Washington began to take notice. So it comes as no surprise to learn that Remote Viewing began life as a secret so tightly guarded that outside of the scientists and small groups of research subjects involved, only a handful of elected officials and a precious few generals knew of its existence as a developing intelligence gathering and counter-espionage tool. Its official definition:

"? the learned ability to transcend time and space to view people, places and things remote in time and space, gather intelligence and report back on same."

Paranormal research was not unknown. Now, however, government was willing to pay. Something previously sneered at had suddenly become the agenda that stretched the minds and hearts of those who had sworn to defend their country with all means at their disposal. ?But "Remote Viewing"? That was heretofore undemonstrated courage of a different kind!

Under the watchful eye of the CIA and the Department of Defense, collaboration began between science and "psience", to coin a phrase. What emerged was an artful protocol, the brilliant construction of artist and psychic, Ingo Swann, who, together with other team members, produced an untiringly researched, scientifically documented experiment. With courageous support from some upper echelons of the military, a top-secret unit of psychic spies, was born.

Whatever can be said in hindsight about the experiences of those who were chosen to serve in this way, one indisputable fact remains: Remote Viewing changed the lives of these men and women and their families and friends forever. Trapped in that proverbial box was not only the "secret weapon" of a privileged few but a tool of enlightenment awaiting freedom.

Blowing the Lid Off

Enter Psychic Warrior. The controversy and intrigue surrounding the publishing of David Morehouse's book still reverberates today. Armed with the knowledge that their secret was about to see the light of day, the CIA began to release its own "expose". As the box cracked open, information and misinformation was released to bolster the illusion of containment. Pandora winked.

As Psychic Warrior and the former cadre of Remote Viewers drew global attention, the powers that be decided to officially pull the plug. proclaiming it a defunct unsuccessful experiment in wishful thinking. But Remote Viewing was far from dead.

Mining the Gold

I am a Remote Viewer, trained by one of the original members of the unit. As a therapist, knowledge of trauma and the workings of the brain and nervous system renders the connection between Remote Viewing and the quest for expanded consciousness and healing unmistakably clear.

I have yet to find a process which offers a more distinctly lucid vantage point from which to view the anatomy of human behavior, conscious and unconscious. For me, therein lies the gold. As much as it is awe-inspiring to view things remote in time and space, it is the simultaneous view of the human process that never ceases to amaze. It is the expanded knowledge of self and the palpably extended worldview of one's existence with which one walks out of the classroom and back into life that makes the difference.

Contrasts abound. The farther out we look, the deeper inward we see. What began as a tightly contained "dangerous" secret now takes its place as a global tool of conscious enlightenment and spiritual worth. What was produced in the darkness of suspicion and couched as a threat to survival has emerged as a mighty implement of truth with the potential for breaking the global cycle of trauma. Remote Viewing is a gift belonging to us all that is well worth unleashing.

(Copyright Talia Shafir, MA, C.C.Ht., 2004, all rights reserved)

Talia Shafir, MA, C.C.Ht., is based in Sebastopol, California and is the co-founder of the Center for Integrated Therapy, a haven for a broad spectrum of transpersonal, body-centered work. A regression therapist specializing in an embodied approach to acute trauma and long term post traumatic stress, she holds a masters from Columbia University. She works with clients both in the Greater San Francisco Bay Area and internationally.

Talia trained and worked with David Morehouse and several other members of the former military "psychic spy" unit. She now teaches and lectures about Remote Viewing throughout the country, adding her insights for its use as a tool of expanded consciousness and personal growth.

For information about workshops and trainings upcoming in the area, log on to http://www.soulview.com

Lock, Stock, and Barrel!

The other night I was watching a classic western from 1969, Sergio Leone's "Once Upon A Time In The West".

There's a scene in this movie where an auction is being held for the widow Jill's land holdings. In this scene, the auctioneer gavels the auction open by pronouncing that the land is now for sale "lock, stock, and barrel".

Now I have heard this clich? "lock, stock, and barrel" many times before in my life. Haven't you?

I got the gist of its meaning by the context in which it was spoken.

But upon hearing it the other night, I realized that I couldn't put into my own words what the phrase means, or its history if ever asked.

Perhaps "stock" referred to livestock (which are farm animals).

Barrel - well they stored flour, sugar, and a lot of other staples in barrels in the old west.

And lock - maybe that referred to getting the keys to everything or something (I don't know - I am really reaching here on this one).

I thought that this would be a cool thing to read up on and share. So here it is.

"Lock, stock, and barrel" in common usage means you are getting the whole thing or everything inclusive being sold, and no less. My thesaurus shows "finite quantity" as a synonym for this phrase.

The three nouns "Lock, stock, and barrel" refer to the three parts of a musket rifle. Boy was I way off on that.

Stock and barrel make more sense now. A rifle has a barrel that the bullet (or musket ball) flies out of. A rifle also has a wooden stock by which you hold and steady the rifle with.

And lock refers to the firing mechanism of a musket rifle. Turns out the firing mechanism used to be called the firelock.

No way would I have guessed that one.

Lock stock and barrel then refer to getting the whole rifle, not just part of it.

So now you know just what someone means the next time someone tries to sell you a farm lock, stock, and barrel!

? 1999-2004 Shamus Brown, All Rights Reserved.

Shamus Brown is a Professional Sales Coach and former high-tech sales pro who began his career selling for IBM. Shamus has written more than 50 articles on selling and is the creator of the popular Persuasive Selling Skills CD Audio Program. You can read more of Shamus Brown's sales tips at http://Sales-Tips.industrialEGO.com/ and you can learn more about his persuasive sales skills training at http://www.Persuasive-Sales-Skills.com/

10 Secrets to Free Publicity

Public relations is popular because it is very cost-effective and it works. If you send out one press release, for example, and it gets into print, it could generate more interest in your product or service.

Businesses that want a leg up on their competition need to focus on boosting their public relations (PR) efforts. This keeps them from going under when the economy is weak, and gets them ahead of their competitors when sales start picking up. Now is the perfect time to get a fresh start on your publicity strategies.

Here are ten tips to help you use free publicity to kick-start a business into high gear:

1.Articles: Articles don't have to be long; they just need to be informative. Writing articles gives you instant credibility, too. Submitting online, as well as offline, provides another good chance to get your name in print at no cost. Be sure to put your contact information in a contact resource box at the end of the article.

2. Press releases: Reporters everywhere are looking for stories, and a press release gives them the information to write that story. Just make sure it's newsworthy, not just an advertisement.

3. Newsletters: Writing a newsletter is another way to keep your name top-of-mind. This can be online or offline. Both contain content valuable to your target market and many times advertise your products and services. The cost of this is nothing, yet the return potential is infinite.

4. Business cards: Think of your business card as a small billboard and start handing them out everywhere. Include them in all your correspondence ? even in your bills!

5. Public speaking: Speaking in front of an audience usually makes you an expert. People like to buy from experts. If they're in your audience, then they'll remember your expertise and come to you when they need your product or service. Speaking is free, and it's just like making a sales call to many people at one time.

6. Free reports: Offering a free report online is a good way to get an e-mail from prospects so you may market to them later. This is the whole basis of permission-based marketing, or opt-in lists. You can do the same thing offline.

7. Radio: Radio is expensive, you say? Not if you are being interviewed or calling in on a talk show. Getting interviewed is free, except for your continual follow-up with producers. Calling in is free, but sometimes it's hard to relay contact information.

8. Online forum participation: There are many online newsgroups or forums for a particular subject area. Participating in these is another way to get your name out. Many online forums will let you put an e-mail signature with a link to your site or message with another site linked. Take full advantage of this; these links get clicked often when of interest to the forum participants.

9. Strategic alliances: Introduce yourself to other businesspeople who don't compete with you but sell products or services to the same target audience. Offer to promote them if they promote you. Make sure they're people you like and trust.

10. Letters to the editor: Many times a letter to the editor has a better chance of getting published than the actual press release. You'd be surprised how many people read this column in publications. This is also another way to become friends with the editor. If they see you enough and match you with a newsworthy press release, then your chances of getting a press release in print increases.

Shannon Cherry, APR, MA helps businesses, entrepreneurs and nonprofit organizations to be heard. She's a marketing communications and public relations expert with more than 15 years experience and the owner of Cherry Communications. Subscribe today for Be Heard! a FREE biweekly ezine and get the FREE special report: "Get Set For Success: Creative, Low-Cost Marketing Tips to Help You be Heard." Go to: http://www.cherrycommunications.com/

The Personality of a Virgo Child

Your Virgo Baby..

August 23 - September 22

Virgo children are honest and reliable and usually tidy, although they may have bouts of being disorganised. Quick and alert, your Virgo child can be an excellent mimic, and is likely to be an early talker and, later, an early reader.

Virgo children are usually shy amongst strangers and can become upset if teased. Sometimes Virgos are fussy eaters, but they will try very hard to please if they know what is expected of them. Your Virgo child will need lots of encouragement to make friends and develop relationships. They sometimes have little confidence in their own attractiveness to others and opt for solitary pursuits. Parents will need to give lots of hugs and affection to build self-confidence. Virgo children can sometimes feel lonely.

Young Virgos will be helpful around the house, especially if imitating an adult, and careful with their belongings. They can become irritated if other children fail to meet their own exacting standards when playing with toys or tidying them away. Parents of Virgos should encourage the reading of fairy stories and myths and play make-believe games. When they are older, Virgos enjoy remembering magical moments.

A typical Virgo child is healthy, although if they become unhappy or worried about something, they may succomb to hypercondria. Typical illnesses include diarrhoea, appendicitis and indigestion.

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Author: Tony Luck who runs a site with advice about having a baby and childcare. Included is the famous Chinese Birth Chart which supposedly forecasts whether you will have a boy or girl.

A Look at Meditation

I've counseled many people from every background and led workshops and lectures about self-empowering topics for about 25 years. Over that time, I saw a need. Everyone was searching. What they were looking for was unclear, many times. But the search was on. While I could meet many of their immediate needs, through counseling, they still needed a source, or connection with who they really were.

This was not a religious pursuit, per se, but a spiritual one. We all need to know our inner self. And the best way for us to get there is through meditation: a quiet time of some sort---contemplation. So out of that need, I saw an answer. Spreading information about basic meditation became my mission.

Almost all of the information I received about meditation over the years was through personal experience-trial and error. I did not read any books on the subject. They all seemed too deep and philosophical. And many times, the books included a whole cultural exploration. This is good for someone looking into historical information, or perhaps a religious belief. But just to know the basics of what meditation is and how to do it, there wasn't anything.

I've been able to connect very well with the groups I've spoken to because I've been in their shoes. I had first hand experience looking for my own inner self. And so, the column you see here will explore for you, the personal experiences of the proverbial searcher.

I had just graduated from high school, and was looking for some kind of personal project for the summer. Since I lived in a very small town, and it was in the 1960's, I was very surprised to find a yoga class being offered at the nearby middle school. I was always open for the new and different, and this fit the bill.

I joined the class as soon as I could and found myself in some very strange positions. But there was one position that I kept going back to. It was sitting cross-legged with my hands resting on my knees, palms up. It immediately made me sit straight, and my spine was relaxed.

While practicing this position at home, a strange thing happened. I began to feel unusual. There wasn't any way I could describe it. But it was a kind of light-headed feeling---almost like dropping off to sleep---but I was awake.

I asked the instructor about it on the very next session. She assured me it was fine. But I had my reservations. So I stopped. I didn't go back to the class. And I didn't continue with the yoga practice.

I found out much later that I was beginning meditation. The instructor must have been concerned about giving too much information about yoga philosophy and the spiritual traditions of Eastern India. Our community was extremely slow about accepting new ideas. She was probably reluctant to introduce something new that could cause problems. So the yoga positions were only taught as an exercise.

I imagine many new or different ideas were stifled in the beginning. Some hesitate to share information for fear of being rejected or ostracized. And some of us hesitate to look at new information because we're afraid of rocking the boat.

As you explore the concept of meditation, you will learn about the varied benefits that can be brought about by meditation, including health, emotional release, and self- empowerment. You will realize that meditation is about ease.

The Purpose of Meditation

Meditation is a way to connect with the inner self, or what some believe is the Divine Spark of God that we all are. It is to become quiet: to allow all outside disturbances to fade away, to be comfortable with the quiet. That quiet, or silence, which is allowed in, can calm the mind, restore the body, and define a spiritual path. Let's take this opportunity to try a sample meditation on for size. Remember that this is a sample. It gives us the chance to practice. And in practicing, we learn.

Bringing In A Quiet Moment

Take a moment out of your busy day. Go for a five-minute walk by yourself. Pay attention to the sound of your footsteps. Let it become even with your heartbeat. When this rhythm within you overrides the sounds of the day, take a deep cleansing breath. Look at the sky. Watch the clouds. Just enjoy the moment. This is the skill of meditation. It is nothing harder than that: just taking a moment, and relaxing into it. Allow your mind to relax into it.

This is just a very quick way for everyone to get some idea of what meditation is like. There are plenty of different types of meditations, as many as there are people. It requires a few undisturbed minutes, dedication and a desire. It will open up a whole new world for you. Just give it a try.

Copyright 2003, Melissa Leath

Rev. Melissa Leath is a personal growth and metaphysical counselor and meditation instructor. Explore more about the ease of meditation by visiting her website: http://www.MeditationMadeEasy.com