Record Your Story > Prepare for Your Storytelling

What to Expect

Your StoryLine conversation is 40 minutes of uninterrupted recording time during which you and your Story Pair partner capture a bit of your oral history. There are no guidelines as to what you may talk about, but thinking about your topics and questions beforehand always increases the quality of the conversation. If you can’t think of questions, StoryLine provides you with some great general questions to help you out.

When you arrive at the StoryLine bus with your Story Pair partner, a trained StoryLine Facilitator will greet you and explain the process, show you into the recording space, and sit in with you during your recorded conversation. If you come by yourself, the facilitator will assist you as you record your story.

During the Conversation

Welcome (2 minutes)–the Facilitator will share some background information about StoryLine, explain his/her role in the interview process, and answer any questions

Prep (8 minutes)–The Facilitator will help you through the necessary paperwork. This paperwork simply asks for basic personal information such as name, address, and ethnic background.

Soundcheck (5 minutes)–When you and your partner are ready to begin the interview, the Facilitator will make sure you both are positioned well for recording and will check the audio levels.

Interview (40 minutes)–Use your question list conservatively, allowing it to help you but not dictate the interview. These questions are suggestions and you do not have to stick to them. Allow the conversation to flow naturally and if new questions come to the surface, do not be afraid to ask them.

Some Tips to help keep the conversation flowing:

• Make eye contact with your storyteller, don’t just stare at the microphone.
• Be yourself; if that includes laughing, crying, yelling, it’s all part of the story.
• If you think a subject may be sensitive, make sure to ask the storyteller first. For example, you may ask “would you like to tell me more about that?” If they do not, take the interview in a different direction.
• Don’t be afraid of the hard questions. “How does that make you feel?” is one of the most powerful and interesting questions there is.
• Keep your heart open. Be curious. Be genuine. Connections are created through our honesty.

During the interview, the Facilitator will take notes, keep time, and monitor the audio. Facilitators are not interviewers, however, they may ask a few questions during the recording.

CD (4 minutes)–Once your interview is complete, your Facilitator will give you your copy of the interview on a free CD. He/she will also explain the release form, which permits StoryLine to retain one copy of the interview.

Photos–A picture is worth a thousand words; in keeping with that idea, the Facilitator will take a photo of you and your interview partner, both together and separate. These photos will be included in our online archives.

Choosing a Story Partner

When choosing a story partner, choose someone with whom you are comfortable speaking with about your certain topic. Common choices are family members and friends.

Great Questions to Ask

Here are some questions to get your wheels turning:

• What was the happiest moment of your life?
• Who has had the biggest impact on your life?
• What is your earliest memory?
• What is your proudest accomplishment?
• How would you like others to remember you?