Further Interview with John Ward

A Chat About Family and Future With the Creator of Familyware

Apr 27, 2008 Dulcinea Norton-Smith

The creator of autobiography software Familyware talks to Suite 101 about his own memoir, his family, the future and the past.

Suite 101 had a chat with creator of autobiography software Familyware about his own autobiography and who inspires him and keeps him writing

Family Support and Input

Suite 101: Have your family read your own online autobiography yet?

John: My father would have loved to interact with my story. Unfortunately, he passed away before Familyare.com and my story were available. The rest of my family gets a kick out of the stories they’ve chosen to read.

When you write your life story, it’s very important to have realistic expectations, and to understand your objectives. My expectation is that my friends and family will be interested in anything I write about them, and will enjoy adding their two cents (i.e. to reminisce). My objective is to leave details about my family’s past, and to preserve my memories for later reflection and amusement. My kids may not be interested in my story until I die, but I know when the time is right, they will greatly value the story I’m leaving them, and will appreciate learning more about the origin of the values I instilled in them.

Writing as a Father

Suite 101: When you write about your own life do you feel you are doing it as a writer or a father? Who do you picture as your audience as you write?

John: My principle audience is my children, to be read many years from now; of course, I’m hoping to also give my mother something to laugh about. In the process of writing my story there will be many nano-audiences; that is, one or two people who I’m writing about in the context of specific experiences. People always want to know what is being written about them, and if it’s a fun memory, they like to chime in to “clarify the record”. These friends may also have some interest in other parts of my story, but I wouldn’t expect them to read it all.

An Inspirational Figure

Suite 101: If someone read your memoir in fifty years and compared your life to that of a famous figure who would you like it to be?

John: Abraham Lincoln. He overcame the confines of the life he was born into; he failed at many things but didn’t give up trying; and in the end he did great things to help a lot of people. With a little luck I’ll be able to live up to that standard without the “assassinated on” subtitle.

To Publish or Not to Publish?

Suite 101: Have you ever considered putting your own memoir in print?

John: It’s crossed my mind to the degree that I’ve thought about candidate book titles. The one’s I like best speculate about future accomplishments, so I’ll see where life takes me before sharing .

For anyone who has been inspired by John Ward's story his first interview for Suite 101 may be of interest.

More information about Familyware can be found in the Suite 101 article “Multimedia Autobiographies”and also on the Familywarewebsite where writer can choose between a free standard package and a premium paid for package.

The copyright of the article Further Interview with John Ward in Writing Memoirs is owned by Dulcinea Norton-Smith. Permission to republish Further Interview with John Ward in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Creator of Familyware