Discover The Stories StoryTerrace Help Share.

Behind Every Successful Business There’s a Story

It might be a tale of early mornings and late nights, or of moments of genius that went on to change an industry. It might be a story about huge risks paying off, or one about careful growth and patient investment.

Whatever the narrative, telling it — and telling it well — is one of the most vital ways that companies connect with their customers. Whether buying a coffee or a computer, knowing a company’s story builds an emotional connection that inspires loyalty and enthusiasm.

More than ever, customers choose where they shop and what they buy because of the story behind the product and the values it embodies. Indeed, a powerful story was what helped some of the most well-known products in the world get their foothold.

Here are just a few of the moving tales behind everyday things.

Instant Ramen: A Rags to Riches Story

Instant Ramen founder Momofuku Ando

The inventor of the instant noodle wasn’t always a successful businessman. At the start of the 1950s, Momofuku Ando was facing bankruptcy and had endured a spell in prison for providing scholarships to students, which at the time was considered a form of tax evasion. Things couldn’t have been worse.

But Ando wasn’t about to give up. Angered by scenes of his fellow citizens queuing for food in post-war Japan, he sequestered himself in his garden shed. There, surrounded by chickens and gardening equipment, he spent months perfecting the recipe for the first-ever instant noodle.

Nowadays you can pick up a packet of instant ramen in almost any grocery store in the world. At the time, however, the concept was unheard of. Ando’s invention took the world by storm, and within just a few years he was a millionaire.

Despite all his success, Ando never forgot where it all began. To this day, a replica of his original humble garden shed stands in a museum in Yokohama, where it is visited by millions of tourists each year.

FedEx Gambled Everything — and Won

FedEx founder Frederick Smith

FedEx is now a household name synonymous with rapid, reliable package delivery. However, few people know that this iconic company almost disappeared in its first few years of operation.

Founder Frederick Smith started FedEx with a combination of loans and inheritance money. This capital was invested in a fleet of airplanes that would revolutionize package delivery — but only if they had enough fuel to fly. Rising oil prices brought the company dangerously close to bankruptcy just a few years after it began.

Knowing that FedEx would fold without an injection of fresh capital, Frederick took an extraordinary risk. He gathered up the last of the company funds, flew to Las Vegas, and spent it all playing blackjack. This is definitely not something we’d recommend as a sound growth strategy!

Amazingly, though, Frederick won big. After just a week of gambling, he’d made enough to sustain FedEx through the fuel crisis — at least until he could secure more stable investment from other sources. FedEx survived, thrived, and soon became the giant that it is today.

The Bendy Straw Was Inspired by a Child

Portrait of Joseph B. Friedman, inventor of the flexible straw

Many great products have surprisingly humble beginnings. The bendy straw — nowadays so ubiquitous that few ever think about it having had an inventor — was one of these. It was developed in 1937, after Joseph B. Friedman saw his daughter struggling to drink from a tall milkshake glass.

All straws at the time were straight and couldn’t be bent without kinking. Joseph, a committed tinkerer, took it upon himself to improve on the design and patented the bendable straw a little later that year.

Since then, millions of bendable straws have been produced — so many that they’re now considered a generic product. Were it not for Joseph B. Friedman’s daughter, however, this small part of all our lives could have been quite different.

Sometimes, family and friends can truly be the most inspirational things in our lives.

Who Invented Monopoly? Secrets Revealed

_Elizabeth Magie, inventor of the Landlord’s Game, now known as Monopoly, in 1936_Whether you love it or hate it, just about everyone has gathered around to play the game of Monopoly. It took inventor Elizabeth J Magie many years and a great deal of tinkering to perfect the now-famous board game, but she never got the credit she deserved. Instead, Charles Darrow, who copied and tweaked Magie’s designs, was hailed for many years as the creator of Monopoly.

It wasn’t until very recently, in fact, that the record was set straight. Building on the academic work of Ralph Anspach, author Mary Pilon finally made sure that Magie’s story was told in her 2015 book The Monopolists.

Although Elizabeth never got to see just how popular her invention became, at least now her place in history is assured. With her story now down in writing, future generations won’t mistake the incredible legacy of Elizabeth Magie.

KFC Was Rejected More Than 1,000 times

KFC Founder Colonel Harland Sanders preparing a fresh batch of his signature fried chicken

The worldwide fast food chain Kentucky Fried Chicken had humble beginnings, with just a single outlet at a roadside gas station. When the station was bypassed by a new road, Colonel Harland Sanders set out with a pressure cooker and his secret blend of 11 herbs and spices, to sell his recipe as a franchise.

It was a difficult task. While reports vary, most note that Sanders was rejected more often than he was accepted – with some recording that he was turned down over 1,000 times as he wandered the country appealing to restaurant owners.

In the end, though, his incredible persistence paid off. By the time he sold the company in 1964, there were more than 600 chains selling KFC chicken — a number that has grown to 6,000 today.

What's Your Story?

These stories defined the products that we know and love, and helped shape the world we live in today. The world of tomorrow is still emerging, along with thousands more stories of businesses, brands, and ideas. Perhaps your story is among them?

If you want to tell the story of your business the right way, get in touch with StoryTerrace for an initial chat. We’ll help you craft a memoir that will connect with your customers.

And if you're not quite ready to tell your story yet? Sign up for our newsletter to be kept in the loop.

Senior Writer

Karl Hyppolite is a copywriter with a passion for storytelling, creative writing, and wordplay. He launched his writing career as a student at the University of Florida, where he studied English and journalism. Karl has written for several national publications and brands, including Sports Illustrated and Norwegian Cruise Line.

Karl originally hails from Haiti and currently calls Fort Lauderdale, Florida, home. Since childhood, Karl has embraced a life of creativity and self-expression. StoryTerrace clients have given Karl rave reviews for his loyal dedication to committing their stories to the page.

Karl at his graduation from kindergarten

ST: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I realized I wanted to be a writer during my first year of university. At the time, I decided I wanted to be a sports writer because I was always a good writer and I loved sports, so it just felt like a natural fit.

ST: Whose biography would you most like to write?

I would say Eminem or Jay-Z. I’m a big fan of both of them, and I think their paths toward success and personal growth are educational and inspiring.

ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?

I enjoy writing for StoryTerrace because it takes me back to my days as a journalist writing feature articles. Getting to know the subjects of the story has been enjoyable, and bringing their stories to life has been more rewarding than I expected.

ST: If you were writing a StoryTerrace book of your life, what would be the title and why?

“Almost Actualized.” I’ve spent a lot of my life trying to be a better version of myself. As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned what that means is constantly evolving, making self-actualization elusive and something I’m always striving to achieve.

ST: What surprised you most about working for StoryTerrace?

I think building a connection with my subjects. Each of them has gone from being strangers to almost being friends. Inevitably, I was writing their story because I was invested in their story.

ST: What is the most memorable story you’ve told as a writer?

One of my first stories ever published in the Gainesville Sun about the origin of Florida’s railroads. I wouldn’t call it my best story, but after struggling a bit as a freelancer, that was the first instance when I felt like I nailed it and could do this as a career.

ST: What is your idea of perfect happiness?

Personally, it would be having a family and writing a bestselling novel.

ST: What is your biggest fear?

Letting others down.

ST: What trait do you admire most in others?

Empathy. We need more of it these days than ever before.

ST: If you hadn’t become a writer, what career would you have right now?

I think being a comedian would be fun. I enjoy being silly and making people laugh if I can, and there’s still a writing element to it.

ST: Who are your favourite writers?

Brandon Sanderson, Stephen King, Geoff Johns, Roland Lazenby.

ST: What fictional character do you most identify with?

Superman, but not because of the powers. Superman’s humanity and doing the right thing because you should do the right thing is inspiring.

Lightning Round!

ST: Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

ST: Morning lark or night owl?

Night owl.

ST: Paperback or e-reader?

Paperback.

ST: Vintage or modern?

Modern.

ST: City or country?

City.

If Karl's rave reviews and personal connection to his clients has inspired you to get to work on your own biography, get in touch to schedule a free consultation. You can also use our Writer Search Tool to find the perfect writer for your project today.

Establishing Yourself as a Thought Leader

Establishing yourself as a recognised thought leader can have a powerful impact on your personal brand and business. Being regarded as an expert who is pushing the boundaries of your industry forward can create new opportunities, drive sales, and connect you with people you may never have thought possible before.

It's important to have a considered strategy when it comes to thought leadership; the following tips will help prepare you to grow your profile (and your business).

1. Establish Your Personal Brand and Messaging

The first step is to get clear on what you bring to the table. Ask yourself the following questions:

• What am I most passionate about?
• What is my unique skill set?
• What is my message?
• What legacy would I like to leave?

You'll also want to know exactly who your target audience is, including their age, preferences, location, needs, and pain points.

It’s also helpful to focus on a specific niche to cut through the noise in a crowded marketplace. To find your own slice of the market, consider your unique strengths, and don’t be afraid to get very specific about one topic — especially if you can offer real expertise that others cannot.

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Dr. Charles Redd, a StoryTerrace Pro client, published his book "Don't Stop Now" through various outlets including Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Waterstone's

2. Build Your Social Media Audience

Researchers have found that in 2020, 3.8 billion people use social media. The average internet user spends 2 hours and 24 minutes on social media every day, and about half of the time people spend on mobile devices is devoted to using social media apps.

In this social media-driven environment, it definitely pays to build your profile and connect with your audience.

To do this, focus on creating consistent, unique content that adds genuine value to your target audience's lives. If you don't feel confident in this space, consider hiring a social media strategist to ensure that your platforms support your business goals.

3. Publish Your Book With StoryTerrace Pro

Publishing your own book is the ultimate way to demonstrate thought leadership. Authoring a book shows that you are serious about your knowledge and skills and demonstrates credibility. You can earn trust with your audience and generate additional revenue for your business.

StoryTerrace works with entrepreneurs, executives, consultants, and inventors who have amazing ideas but are too busy to complete a book on their own. We will match you with a talented ghostwriter recruited from leading newspapers, magazines, and publishing houses to craft your expertise into an engaging book.

From writing to editing, publishing and distribution to marketing, we support you every step of the way. Find out more about StoryTerrace Pro here.

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Our client Dr. Adam Abodeely shares how he has established himself as a thought leader in the world of medicinal cannabis and boosted sales of his products.

4. Become a Guest Speaker

Another great way to boost your profile as a thought leader is through public speaking. By sharing your knowledge at summits, conferences, or webinars, you'll demonstrate your expertise, build relationships and engage your target audience. Having several speaking engagements under your belt will also reassure potential clients and customers that you are a trusted leader in your field.

You can get started by identifying the top events in your industry and researching what kind of speaking opportunities are available. Many of the teams that organise major events look for speakers to apply six to 12 months before the actual event, so there are likely to be ample opportunities.

Next, develop your pitch. Create a compelling title and a brief outline of your presentation and include your biography, website, and social media platforms. After you send it off, be sure to follow up with a call or further email.

In the meantime, you may want to consider starting a YouTube or IGTV channel to develop your speaking skills and prove that you know how to deliver information in a succinct, engaging way.

5. Get the Right Support

The most successful thought leaders work with a great team. It needn't be large — recruiting a handful of experts to support you will help you push past any technical issues and allow you to focus on your area of expertise.

Start by working out what your needs are. For example, you may need a talented podcast editor, marketing manager, or copywriter to take care of tasks related to your thought leadership endeavours. Ask your network for recommendations, or use a freelance platform such as Upwork to find experts in communications.

6. Generate PR Opportunities

When building your reputation as a thought leader, hiring a PR agency or freelancer who will be able to generate press coverage on your behalf is often a wise move. Your PR team will work with you to create content related to you and your business. This will likely be in the form of press releases, guest articles, research, expert comments, research studies, case studies, and more.

The pros will then pitch these properties to journalists and media outlets, which are always looking for new stories and content. The idea of PR is to raise your visibility in the types of media that your target audience regularly consumes. Once your audience becomes aware of you, they can then find out more about how to purchase from you.

7. Change the Status Quo

If you want to make a big difference as a thought leader, there’s one question you need to regularly ask yourself: How am I driving my industry forward?

Daniel W. Rasmus, former Director of Business Insights for Microsoft, explains that your work should "intrigue, challenge, and inspire even people already familiar with a company. It should help start a relationship where none exists, and it should enhance existing relationships."

The ultimate thought leadership is about creating meaningful change and involves the courage to be different.

Are you ready for the challenge?

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Lashika & Anthony published a book about their success as a real estate husband and wife team with the help of StoryTerrace

If you are ready to become a thought leader in your industry, get in touch to arrange a chat with our friendly team to see how we can help. You can also join our mailing list for updates about StoryTerrace Pro business book publishing.

The NHS and the Nurses Association of Jamaica: A Legacy of Care

The UK’s National Health Service (NHS) is a triumph of post-war rebuilding. Formed in 1948 during the difficult years following World War Two, the NHS provides free, complete care across the UK. Its mission has always been to ensure that all people had access to a doctor and the health services they need, and its existence proves that a country’s greatness arises in part from its commitment to the common good.

But developing a fully-funded, comprehensive medical care system from scratch was no easy feat. For starters, the country had a difficult time finding enough nurses to deliver the care that was so desperately needed. To fill in the gaps, the British government recruited nurses from its colonies, particularly the Caribbean.

A student nurse training class attended by many NAJ members

Enter the intrepid nurses of Jamaica, who left their homes for a new life in the UK, lured by the promise of deeper education and the chance to support communities back home. Many answered the call and moved to the UK to fill vacant nursing positions. They helped individuals in need and were fundamental in making the NHS a success.

I recently had the pleasure of speaking with two members of the Nurses Association of Jamaica, or NAJ for short. Dorothy Turner was a founding member of the NAJ when the group formed in 1977, and Paulette Lewis, MBE, is the current president.

Members of the NAJ honour Mary Seacole, a Jamaican nurse who served in the Crimean War. Dorothy is second from the left, in traditional Jamaican costume; Paulette is second from the right

The Birth of the NAJ

There is an extensive history of women and men from Jamaica offering aid to the British Empire. Nurse Mary Seacole, who treated the wounded during the Crimean War, was the first in a long line of soldiers, healers, and others who answered the call to serve over the decades.

So it was natural for nurses from Jamaica to rise to the occasion when the fledgling NHS needed help. Many saw it as an opportunity to gain excellent training and education that they hoped to bring back to Jamaica in the future. Others remained in the UK and dedicated their careers to helping underserved communities of colour.

As the number of Afro-Caribbean nurses in the UK grew, a group of nurses met for a healthcare conference in 1977. Realising that they could continue to network and exchange information — not to mention support incoming nurses in their quest for training, work, and belonging — the NAJ was born.

Some NAJ members during their working days, attending the Queen Mother’s 100th birthday celebrations in 1977

Tireless Service and Care

In addition to helping acclimate new nurses to the NHS, the NAJ conducted outreach to poor communities, provided professional education about the unique cultural and health needs of Black patients, and helped people in need around the world with their dedication to charitable work.

A newspaper clipping The NAJ featured in

Both Dorothy and Paulette served as midwives in the NHS, and they are particularly proud of their work guiding women from Africa, the Caribbean, and other regions through the health system in the UK. Many were afraid or uncertain of what to expect in a British hospital, so Dorothy and Paulette were educators and community supporters as well as medical experts.

Dorothy and Paulette have decades of nursing stories to tell, but some of their favorite moments were as midwives. Hear their incredible stories in this video:

https://www.youtube.com/embed/q52p7iDJi00

As the years passed, the founding members of the NAJ grew older, as we all do. Many retired from service to enjoy other aspects of their lives, including travel and spending time with grandchildren. Some died of age or illness.

Knowing that their story would be lost if they didn’t act, a group of NAJ members and founders decided that the time had come to preserve their history. Paulette and Dorothy, along with Tony Leiba, Sherill Gregory, and Alina Wallace, began work on a complete history of the NAJ’s founding and work through the years.

The research and writing process was intense, and the group worked tirelessly to gather archives and anecdotes before they could be lost to time. They spent countless hours, working long nights to draft a manuscript.

When it came time to turn their words into a publishable book, the group turned to StoryTerrace for help. Paulette credits their StoryTerrace editor with helping tell the story in a way that would connect with readers. "She said to add more real-life things to link to the history and give our personal experiences. The goal was to try to tell the story differently, to make it much more real," she explained.

The book cover of the Nurses' Association of Jamaica Book, "Unity is Strength"

The result of their dedication is Nurses Association of Jamaica: 40 Years of Service, available on Amazon in print and as an e-book. The book preserves the full history of the NAJ as well as the stories of the individuals who worked tirelessly to help others, whether their patients, the next generation of nurses or the country at large. It’s a fitting legacy to the determination of this incredible group of nurses.

Members of the London and Birmingham branches at their 40th anniversary launch (top) at their gala dinner and dance in 2018 (bottom)

If you have an organisation whose story is worth sharing, StoryTerrace can help. Our authors and editors can work with one or many storytellers to compile an oral history that captures your group’s personality and mission. To find out more, get in touch today.

The Evolution of Photography and Colorization

The earliest surviving photograph dates from 1826, and since then, photography has immeasurably changed our relationship to the past. Instead of just imagining what people looked like and how they dressed, photos made it possible to see things as they really were.

It took until 1935 for color film to take off; before that, viewers had to apply their imaginations to sepia- or gray-toned pictures. But if you’ve ever tried to do this, you know how hard it actually is to mentally project color onto a black-and-white photo. When you look at them, you tend to think the world back then was a dull, colorless place.

Peter Jackson meticulously colorised film footage from World War I in his latest documentary

That’s why the new trend of colorizing old photos is so arresting. It forces you to look at the past with new eyes — and the results are pretty amazing, thanks to obsessive digital artists taking hours to painstakingly "paint" old pictures in Photoshop.

Perhaps the best example of this work is Peter Jackson’s documentary "They Shall Not Grow Old," in which his team color-corrected and standardized hours of authentic film footage of World War I to stunning effect.

It’s not just professional filmmakers who are touching up the past. Artists and history buffs across the internet are getting into the act, too. Here are some of our favorite full-color historical photos.

The Genius

This photo showcasing Albert Einstein’s sense of humor is already quite famous, but seeing the genius in full color reminds us that he was a real person — not just an impossibly brilliant scientist. We bet he was a blast to hang out with!

The Rubberneckers

This photo of a car accident in Washington, D.C - before and after colorization - shows that some things never change. Even when cars were still new, taking your eyes off the road could lead to a disaster — and plenty of people would stop what they were doing to have a look.

The Showman

Big Jay McNeeley played a mean saxophone, and you can almost hear the crowd going wild in this photo. The color heightens the drama in a way that makes you feel like you could step right into this 1953 L.A. concert venue.

The Dust Bowl

Dorothea Lange’s famous photos of the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl of the American Plains helped highlight the suffering of the era on a human level. Seeing her work brought to life in full color reminds us that these events happened to real people, in very real places.

The Starlet

So much of how people think of the Golden Age of Hollywood relies on black-and-white movies and stills. That’s why it’s such a refreshing change to see an icon in her full humanity. This photo of Marilyn Monroe captures her vulnerability as well as her star power.

The Inventor

The Immigrant

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Photographers carefully documented the waves of immigrants coming to the United States through Ellis Island. Seeing these photos in color show the remarkable variety of clothing and cultures that made up the New York City melting pot of the early twentieth century.

The Train

It’s easy to forget that trains were once an integral means of transportation. This photo of a steam engine chugging through downtown Syracuse, New York in 1905 is a vivid reminder of the pre-automobile era.

The Dancers

Most photographs of women from the early twentieth century are carefully composed, formal affairs, with hardly a smile in sight. That’s why we love this relaxed group of dancers from the National American Ballet as they simply sit and enjoy each other’s company.

The Mechanic

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What can we say about this? The attention to detail in the colorization is astonishing, with every glint of metal and hair on the worker’s arm working together to create a fully realistic color photograph. If this is the future of colorizing, we’re all in!

Preserving Your Own Photos

If these beautiful photographs have inspired you to take a closer look at your own family photos, MyHeritage offers an app that automatically colorizes your personal photos to breathe new life into your family history. The results are sure to amaze!

Whether you colorize your treasured photos or enjoy them the way they are, preserving a pictorial record of your ancestors is important for everyone. StoryTerrace allows you to add pages of vintage snapshots and portraits to your memoirs to bring your personal autobiography to life.

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To find out more about how to write your own autobiography, get in touch to schedule a free consultation, or sign up for our newsletter for more inspiring articles about ways to preserve the past for future generations.

The Bond Between Grandparents and Grandchildren: Gifts to Strengthen Connection

The bond between a grandparent and their grandchild is the stuff of legend... and a few Hallmark films. But did you know that it can also promote greater emotional health? It's true — and there's scientific research to support that. In fact, studies have shown that close ties with a grandparent can also reduce depression and encourages pro-social behavior for grandchildren— a benefit that lasts into adulthood.

But grandparents enjoy plenty of benefits, too. They are less likely to be depressed when they have close relationships with their grandchildren. Serving as a caregiver for grandchildren can also help keep grandparents mentally sharp and stave off cognitive decline.

Valerie & David after discovering they'd been gifted a StoryTerrace biography package!

The 4th October is National Grandparents Day, and it's the perfect opportunity to let grandma and grandad know just how much they're valued. With that in mind, we've put together a list of thoughtful gifts for grandparents that can help reinforce that important connection — even in a time crunch! These gift ideas are designed to help strengthen the important bonds between grandparents and their grandchildren — and that's a gift with a lifetime of benefits.

1. Reverse Story Time

Most grandparents are more than happy to snuggle up on the couch with their grandkids and read as many stories as they like. But you can flip the script by having your child present grandparents with a homemade gift certificate for story time. When Grandma is ready to cash in, she can choose a storybook and listen as her favorite young reader practices aloud. This gift of time is a great way to get emerging or reluctant readers to build comprehension, and it keeps grandparents up-to-speed on kids' educational progress.

This idea can still work for very young children, who can be encouraged to tell their own version of the story based on the pictures. Older kids and teens can make an ongoing date to share everything from an interesting magazine article to the whole Harry Potter series.

2. Skype Tutorials and a Call Schedule

Not all families live close enough for regular visits, but it's definitely worth going the extra mile to foster connections with distant grandparents. Today's kids and teens are remarkably tech-savvy, so harness that ability by having them teach their grandparents to Skype (or FaceTime, or Snapchat). This puts your kids in the driver's seat by letting them show off their expertise. They'll be motivated to keep up the calls when they know their grandparents are relying on them for help learning the ropes.

For grandparents who live far away, Skype chats can be a game-changer. They allow a doting grandpa to keep up with all the little changes that happen so quickly as a toddler grows into an inquisitive kid and a creative teen. This is also a meaningful gift for grandparents from adult grandchildren, as it's never too late to strengthen those bonds.

3. Shared Projects

Looking for a great way to foster conversation between kids and their grandparents? Keep them busy in a side-by-side activity, and the conversation will come. Crocheting, cooking, woodworking — these are all useful skills that grandparents can pass on. Consider making a joint gift basket of supplies to give to grandparents and grandchildren; then watch them come together to get creative.

Teaching can go both ways, too. Kids also enjoy getting to teach their grandparents new things, whether it's how to edit a video for YouTube or techniques for winning their favorite online games. Check with older kids and teens to see what other experiences they'd like to share — you might be surprised at their ingenuity!

4. The Opportunity to Share Their Life Story

95-year-old Jouw Nauta was delighted to receive his life story, delivered in a beautiful gift box

Grandparents are the gatekeepers to a family's history. They're a rich source of information on the past, and the act of sharing that information can also help strengthen bonds. In fact, sharing tales from the past is a crucial part of helping younger generations build memories, but it's easy to get so caught up in daily living that the opportunity to tell these stories is lost. StoryTerrace solves this dilemma by pairing grandparents with a professional author who writes their life stories, complete with all of their favorite family photos. The result is a published book, that serves as a beautiful keepsake to share with the whole family — including grandchildren.

Letting a professional writer take on the task of writing the autobiography frees grandparents to focus on their most important memories instead of focusing on grammar and sentence structure. The process of storytelling is an incredible gift in itself, and the resulting book is something grandchildren can turn to for advice and heartwarming memories.

To learn more about how StoryTerrace can help you celebrate the life and legacy of your grandparents, sign up for our newsletter — we've got lots of ideas!

You can also schedule a free consultation with our team to discuss ideas for your grandparents' biography when you're ready to get started on the best gift they'll ever receive.

How to Digitise and Preserve Your Precious Memories

Keeping a diary can be hugely rewarding. Daily journaling has been shown to improve sleep, memory, and concentration while reducing stress. On top of all that, a diary keeps your memories organized and allows you to easily look back on treasured moments you might otherwise forget.

However, there are a few problems with a shelf full of journals. Paper diaries take up a lot of space, they aren’t easy to transport, and they can easily be lost or damaged. Plus, finding a specific memory can be time-consuming.

These problems become even bigger when you factor in photo albums, home movies, and boxes of souvenirs. Fortunately, modern technology can make this task a whole lot easier. Here’s how.

Preserving Your Diaries

Diaries are vital sources of knowledge. Historians have learned a huge amount from studying the diaries and journals of people from bygone ages, and some of the world's most precious historical texts started out as personal diaries.

Of course, few paper diaries will survive for thousands of years. Most will start to fall apart after just a few dozen. That’s why museums and libraries put so much time and energy into digitizing their collections — and why it’s a good idea for you to keep a digital diary, too.

A digital diary can be easily backed up, making your memories almost indestructible. A quick text search of your digital journal will take you directly to the memory you want to find.

To keep a digital diary, a text document is perfect — especially if you use a service like Dropbox or Box to automatically back it up. You can also back up your existing paper diaries using these services.

Preserving Your Photographs

Looking through old photo albums with friends or family is a wonderful way to reminisce, and digital photo collections don’t replace that tactile social experience. However, keeping your photos in the cloud keeps them safe and allows you to share them with family all over the world.

The biggest advantage to digital photographs is that they don’t age. A good, high-resolution image stored in the cloud will look great a hundred years from now, while a printed photograph might have become discolored or damaged.

Digitizing printed photographs means scanning them, which can be a painstaking task. Doing just a few at a time helps make the process more manageable, or you can turn to a professional service to do all the technical work for you.

Here is a video to help you get started with preserving your photographs:

Digitising Photographs Video

Once your photographs are digitized, you can back them up just as you would your diary by storing them on a memory stick or in the cloud. Just like that, your memories are protected and preserved for decades to come.

Audio and Video

While text is usually easy to preserve, audio and video are a bit trickier because digital formats for these media are always changing. Old formats get more and more difficult to access as time goes by.

There’s no need to panic if your most precious memories are stored on video cassettes. It’s still possible to transfer media from one format to another. There are special services that focus on doing this (EachMoment is a good choice), and in some cases, the converted footage will even be cleaner than the original.

Preserving Your Messages

Among the most fragile types of memory are digital messages. These have become more difficult to preserve as technology advances. Apps like WhatsApp allow you to back up and download your messages, and many popular email clients like Google Mail do the same.

Being able to check back through old messages might be just what is needed when it comes to filling in a gap in your memoirs, so taking the time to preserve them is worthwhile.

In Conclusion

Your memories are precious. They bring you happiness, keep you healthy, and tell you who you are and how you’ve been shaped by your past. But they can’t do any of these things if they’re lost or inaccessible. That’s why it’s a great idea to digitize your memories — whether they’re old home movies, precious photographs, or a collection of diaries and letters. Keep them safe, and they’ll bring you joy for many years to come.

Having a digital archive makes writing your memoirs a breeze – especially if you let StoryTerrace do the heavy lifting for you.

We’ll take your memories, photographs, and anecdotes, and turn them into a beautiful bound book. Sound good? Get in touch to schedule a quick chat, or sign up for our newsletter for more information.

Premium Writer

Alan Goforth

Alan Goforth earned a master’s degree from the Missouri School of Journalism and started his career as a copy editor at a metropolitan daily newspaper. As the internet changed the news industry, Alan transitioned into freelancing and has built a successful career as a ghostwriter. He has written several biographies and works with both corporate and individual clients to tell their stories.

Alan currently resides just outside of Kansas City in Missouri. When not writing, he enjoys reading nineteenth-century Russian literature with a cup of coffee in hand.

ST: When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?

I grew up as a voracious reader, especially The Hardy Boys and other mystery series. I enjoyed writing about arts and entertainment for my college newspaper and after working at a public television station, I earned a master’s degree in journalism. Early on, I realized my skills lie in journalistic writing, not fiction, although like every other journalist, I am working on a screenplay.

"Everyone has a story that is of interest to someone else"

ST: Whose biography would you most like to write?

I recently read a biography of Ronald Reagan, who had a multifaceted life from Hollywood to Washington. It would be interesting to write about the unlikely partnership among him, Margaret Thatcher, Pope John Paul, and Mikhail Gorbachev that ultimately ended the Cold War.

ST: Why do you enjoy writing for StoryTerrace?

I have been fortunate enough to write several books about successful retired business people. Meeting interesting people has given me several ideas that have helped me in my own business.

ST: If you were writing a StoryTerrace book of your life, what would be the title and why?

And Then the Phone Rang. Every time I thought I had my career path figured out, it seemed the phone rang and things changed. I planned to be a newspaper journalist, not an author, but here I am.

ST: What surprised you most about working for StoryTerrace?

It has confirmed something I have long believed: Everyone has a story that is of interest to someone else. Thanks to StoryTerrace, they have a way to tell it. Most people know what they want to say but simply need someone to help them say it.

ST: What is the most memorable story you've told as a writer?

I wrote The Nigerian Nightmare, the biography of Christian Okoye, who grew up in Nigeria, came to the United States on an athletics scholarship, started playing American football at age 24, and became an All-Pro running back in the NFL.

ST: What is your biggest fear?

A good friend who died of ALS two years ago always said, “I don’t fear failure. I fear succeeding at something that doesn’t matter.” I agree.

ST: What's something that people would be surprised to learn about you?

Although I am not much of an athlete, I did run the City of Los Angeles Marathon when I turned 40. My finishing time was exactly twice that of the winner — but I did finish.

ST: What trait do you admire most in others?

Loyalty.

ST: Who are your favorite writers?

I will mention two fellow Missourians, Mark Twain and Ernest Hemingway. I like to say that Hemingway and I both worked for the Kansas City Star, although he was there for only a few months at the beginning of his career and I freelanced for them.

ST: What fictional character do you most identify with?

Samwise Gamgee in The Lord of the Rings. He made his share of mistakes but always had good intentions.

ST: What is your motto?

“Some facts are just too good to check.”

Lightning Round!

ST: Dogs or cats?

Dogs.

ST: Salty or sweet?

Salty.

ST: Introvert or extrovert?

Ambivert — a combination of both at different times.

ST: Truth or dare?

Dare.

ST: City or country?

Suburbs.

If Alan's unique take on storytelling has inspired you to get to work on your own biography, get in touch to schedule a free consultation. You can also use our Writer Search Tool to find the perfect writer for your project today.

Unsung Hero: Mary McMillan

Nearly everyone knows the story of Florence Nightingale, the intrepid nurse who revolutionized sanitation during the Crimean War and changed the way hospitals were run forever. Her work transformed the medical world and saved thousands of lives.

But have you ever heard of Mary McMillan? She, too, was a trail-blazing wartime nurse who had an enormous impact on the medical field. Mary took it upon herself to get a full education at a time when it was unusual for a woman to do so. She trained in Europe to learn the very latest techniques of massage and physical therapy, then brought her knowledge back to the United States to treat children with polio. During World War I, Mary was appointed the first-ever Reconstruction Aide of the US Army Medical Corps. In this role, she used modern physical therapy techniques to rehabilitate wounded soldiers. It was a seismic shift in care that changed the way we all recover from surgery or injuries today.

Because Mary was a woman, her contributions slipped under the radar of history — until now. Thanks to Mary Farrell, a descendant of Mary McMillan, her story has finally been told.

The cover of Mary Farrell and Marta M. Mobley's StoryTerrace book

Mary Farrell had always been fascinated with "Aunt Molly," the family’s nickname for Mary McMillan. She inherited her great aunt’s extensive diaries and papers but was just never able to put all the information together to tell this remarkable story.

Enter StoryTerrace. When Mary retired, she knew she finally had time to devote to the project, and she contacted StoryTerrace for some professional help to make it happen. Mary knew she needed a special writer, someone who was just as passionate about Aunt Molly’s work and who wasn’t afraid of some extra research to flesh it out.

Mary chose Marta M. Mobley, one of our Critically Acclaimed writers. Mary was impressed by Marta’s experience as a story editor and producer on film and television projects and knew she would be the perfect fit. For her part, Marta knew that this story was something truly special.

A true partnership between client and writer was born. Mary and Marta were in constant communication during the entire process, often emailing and calling each other to celebrate successes in digging up a long-lost document or photo. The book ended up being a total collaboration, and both are credited as co-authors on the final publication.

A Life on Both Sides of the Ocean

Mary McMillan in her early twenties

Mary McMillan was born in Boston in 1880, just a few years after her parents emigrated from Scotland. When she was five years old, her mother died of consumption, weakened from the grueling delivery of Mary’s younger sister and heartbroken by the baby’s untimely death. After her mother’s funeral, her father remarried, and Mary was sent to England to live with her aunt. Mary was educated overseas, finding her passion in the study of what was then called "gymnastics" — the science of how movement affected the body and its health. Mary lived in Liverpool until 1917 when she returned to the United States to begin her incredible career.

Much-Needed Expertise

Throughout the early twentieth century, polio was a disease that crippled thousands, including children

When Mary returned to the United States in 1917, no one outside of New York City was practicing anything even remotely like what she had been trained to do in Europe. Mary had specialized in physical deformities and understood the principles of therapeutic massage. She began using her skills to help polio patients, many of whom struggled with varying degrees of paralysis from the disease.

In the Army Now

Mary was the first Reconstruction Aide of the United States Army Medical Corps

In early 1918, Mary was sworn into the US Army as the first "Reconstruction Aide." At the time, this was the term for a physical therapist, and Mary was the first one recognized as such in the United States. She took her considerable expertise and experience directly to Walter Reed Hospital, where she taught other nurses the skills they needed to help wounded soldiers recover during World War I.

Nursing the Wounded

WWI soldiers recovering from wounds and undergoing rehabilitation at Walter Reed Hospital in Washington, DC

Mary designed the army hospital’s physical therapy protocols from scratch during her time at Walter Reed. She had to overcome a good deal of skepticism about the value of massage and worked hard to sell her ideas. She even had a special prescription pad made to include her therapeutic recommendations because it was the only way she could make sure soldiers got the care they needed.

Sharing the Power of Physical Therapy

Mary teaching aspiring physical therapists at Reed College in Portland, OR

After the war, Mary wrote a book describing the treatments she pioneered. Massage and Therapeutic Exercise was published in 1920 and was met with surprising success. The world was hungry for physical therapy, and Mary later taught the first course on the subject at Reed College.

A lifelong learner, inspiring teacher, and impassioned caregiver, Mary went on to refine physical therapy throughout her long life. A woman of means, she gave half of her fortune to the Foundation for Physical Therapy Research, which offers a scholarship in her honor.

You can learn more about the remarkable life of Mary McMillan by reading her story in full. Mary McMillan: The Mother of Physical Therapy, by Mary Farrell and Marta M. Mobley, is available on Amazon as an ebook or paperback. It’s a remarkable tribute to an even more remarkable woman.

Do you have an ancestor with an amazing story? Get in touch to work with one of StoryTerrace’s professional writers to share it with the world. We also have add-on packages to make self-publishing easier than ever.