I’m not a writer. What if I write it wrong?

I promise you, your grandchild would rather hear your “voice” just the way you speak. You don’t need to have perfect prose for your stories to be meaningful and appreciated.

What if a prompt mentions someone I no longer speak to or know anymore?

Remember, this is your story and you get to tell it exactly the way you want. If it becomes necessary to explain or if you’d like to skip a question, that is entirely up to you.

What if my grandchild is too young to understand what I want to write?

You can write for the person your grandchild will become someday, not just the person they are today.

I have too much to say!

What a wonderful problem to have! Answer in the prompt first, then add your own blank pages as you need.

What if I get stuck on a prompt and the details just won’t come?

Try to use little “memory nudges” using your senses. What was the color? What did something smell like? Was there a texture I can recall? “That pie that we baked together was so sour!” Was their voice loud, did they speak quickly, or in a whisper? Do I have a photograph that I can find? How old were you? Can you ask a sibling, or someone who was there?

What if the material is just too difficult to talk about?

You can write it in any manner you are comfortable with or just skip that prompt.

My life wasn’t exciting. What could I possibly have to say?

Kids will appreciate and ask for the details of your everyday life. Grandkids WILL want to know the little details of your life. Think of this too, what you may not consider exciting, your grandchild might!

I’m staring at a blank page!

Start with one tiny detail. More will follow. The memories will start moving once you give them somewhere to begin.

What if I don’t want to tell the whole story?

Then DON’T!! This journal is an invitation to share, not an interrogation. Above all, I hope that this journal will be a joy to put on paper. Write exactly what you want. Some stories can be shortened, softened or left private.

What if a prompt brings up unpleasant memories?

You can choose to give this journal a tone that suits you. You can simply say, “I am going to omit the details but I wanted you to know that this happened and it mattered in my life.”

Perhaps you can write it on a separate sheet of paper as a first draft. Then you can edit it if needed and then write it in the journal. If your family is candid, tell the unpleasant story just the way it happened. Maybe the story can be a siren song, a warning, a source of strength, or just the truth.