62: Lettice Stuart of Portraits in Words

Lettice Stuart was a journalist with stories in the New York Times when she shifted to writing life stories. While her writing credentials helped give her credibility, it was good old-fashioned conversations with people that grew her business.

In part one of the interview, we discuss:

• the importance of talking about your personal history work in any social situation, and why it's easy
• how and why to contact groups looking for speakers
• what to include when you give a public presentation

We also talk about why family members may not be capable of getting to the same stories that personal historians do. And what a magical moment it is when you see the light go on in the storyteller's eyes: the book is important, the telling of the stories even more so.

In our next episode, Part 2 with Lettice Stuart

Stay tuned for the second half of our conversation with Lettice, where Lettice shares how much she charges for her life story books, how she prepares for the money conversation with clients, working with outside editors, and more.

Links & Stuff

You can find Lettice Stuart at Portraits in Words

Want to hear more about the art of interviewing?

Check out Episode 3: How to conduct a great interview