About

In Your Own Words was established to provide a structured and dignified way to preserve personal history.

The foundation of this work was shaped by first-hand experience of memory change within my own family. Witnessing how quickly clarity can diminish reinforced a simple conclusion: important conversations should not be left to chance.

Rather than approaching this sentimentally, a considered framework was developed — bringing preparation, structure and professional discipline to what is often an informal process.

Today, that approach can be used to preserve a life story in three different ways: as a professionally produced video biography, a professionally written biography book, or a combination of both.

The aim remains the same — to preserve a life story cohesively, respectfully and in the person’s own words.

A Considered Legacy

A life story contains more than dates and milestones.

It carries judgement, character, perspective and voice.

Photographs capture moments and documents record facts, but a person’s own reflections on a life lived preserve something far more personal.

A voice can bring memories to life. A book can bring those memories together into a lasting written record.

In Your Own Words provides a structured and professional way to document that story for future generations.

This is not an informal recording or a collection of disconnected memories. It is a considered approach to preserving a life story — through film, through words, or through both.

Your Story, Your Way

Every life is different, and there is no single way to preserve it.

We offer three options:

Video Biography

A professionally filmed and edited biography built around a structured conversation about the important people, places, experiences and events that have shaped a life.

The interview is professionally guided, allowing the story to develop naturally while ensuring that important areas are explored.

The finished film provides future generations with something particularly personal: the opportunity to see and hear the person telling their own story.

From £1,850

Biography Book

For those who would prefer their story to become a lasting written record, we can take the process further and create a full-length professionally written biography.

The book project begins with a private planning meeting, followed by three in-depth interview sittings.

The conversations are recorded and carefully reviewed before the material is developed into a coherent biography by one of our professional writers.

Our writers are both Master’s degree graduates in Creative Writing and have many years of professional writing experience.

Their role is to take the memories, experiences, observations and reflections gathered during the interviews and shape them into a readable and engaging biography, while remaining faithful to the individual’s story and voice.

A typical biography will be in excess of 40,000 words, although the final length will naturally depend on the depth and nature of each person’s story.

The finished book can incorporate photographs and other personal material to create a substantial and lasting family record.

From £4,950

Video & Book

For those who want both, we can create a combined biography project.

The same carefully gathered life story can be developed into both a professionally produced video biography and a full-length written biography.

The two formats offer different ways of experiencing the same story.

The film allows future generations to see and hear the person telling their story.

The book provides a substantial written record that can be returned to, shared and passed through the family.

From £6,250

Who This Is For

This service is for:

• Individuals who value their life story and wish to preserve it thoughtfully
• Parents and grandparents who wish to leave something meaningful behind
• Families who want to document memories before detail fades
• Adult children seeking to safeguard a family history
• Families who want future generations to know more about the person behind the photographs and family stories
• Anyone who would like their story preserved professionally, whether through film, a book, or both
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The Process

Every biography project follows a defined structure designed to make the experience calm, considered and unhurried.

1. Private Consultation

The first step is a confidential conversation to understand your intentions, your family context and what you would like the project to achieve.

We can discuss the different options and help determine whether a video biography, written biography or combined project is most appropriate.

2. Planning Meeting

A detailed planning meeting takes place before the main interviews.

Together, we identify important names, places, milestones, influences and defining experiences.

This preparation provides a framework for the interviews and helps ensure that important parts of the story are not overlooked.

3. Interview Sittings

For a book project, the story is gathered through three in-depth interview sittings.

The conversations are professionally guided but remain personal and natural. The aim is to encourage memories and reflections to emerge without the process feeling rushed or rehearsed.

For a video biography, the interview process is structured around the requirements of the finished film.

4. Writing & Production

For a video biography, the recorded material is carefully edited and refined into a cohesive film.

For a written biography, the interview material is reviewed, structured and developed by one of our professional writers into a full-length biography.

For a combined project, both formats are developed from the same carefully gathered life story.

5. Review & Refinement

The work is carefully reviewed and refined before completion.

The intention is not to manufacture or embellish a story, but to present the individual’s memories and experiences clearly, coherently and respectfully.

6. Delivery & Archive

The completed biography is securely delivered in its chosen format.

Appropriate master material is retained for long-term safeguarding, providing an additional level of security for a family’s personal archive.

Discretion and professionalism are maintained throughout the process.

Dementia-Supported Video Option

For families affected by memory decline, a capacity-sensitive format is available.

This option:

• Utilises a shorter, structured session
• Is contracted through a family representative
• Follows safeguarding best practice
• Is offered at a 30% reduced fee

The aim is to preserve stories respectfully, while clarity allows.

Details are discussed privately to ensure suitability.

Professional Standards

This work involves trust.

Accordingly:

• Fully insured
• Basic DBS checked
• Safeguarding policy in place
• Clear contractual agreements
• Confidential handling and secure storage of all material
• Appropriate master material retained for long-term safeguarding

A biography project is treated as part of a family’s long-term archive, whether the finished work is a film, a book, or both.

Investment

Each biography project is bespoke, but our services currently begin at:

Video Biography — £1,850

Biography Book — £4,950

Video & Book — £6,250

The book service is based on a planning meeting and three in-depth interview sittings, followed by the professional writing, editing and preparation of a full-length biography, typically in excess of 40,000 words.

The combined Video & Book service represents a saving compared with commissioning the two services separately.

Final fees may vary depending on the scope of the project, additional contributors, the amount of source material and any requirements beyond the standard service.

A clear written proposal is provided following consultation.

A Private Consultation

If you are considering preserving your story — or that of someone close to you — the first step is a confidential consultation.

We can discuss your story, what you would like to preserve, and which format is right for you.

Whether you choose a video, a book, or both, the purpose is the same: to create a lasting record of a life, told in the person’s own words.

Consultations are available by appointment.