Interviews with the elderly and writing up same.

shawnee

I am a keen photographer and really enjoy meeting people and taking photos. Some years back I embarked on a project in my own locality. I photographed a number of our older citizens , most over 80 and with their permission I had a small exhibition at one of our local events.
I enjoyed meeting these people and usually talked with them for a couple of hours while taking some photos. I did this around five years back and since then a number of these special people have passed away.
I have been thinking for some time of doing something similar again, but this time I would like to record some of the conversations and write about them. I haven't done much creative writing but I do find it quite easy to engage people and converse with them. I would then add a few photos. I was thinking of contacting some of the local papers with a view to running these articles on a weekly/monthly basis.
I am just wondering what reader's views would be on this project.;)

pickarooney

I think for most people, whether it be true or not, old people's stories tend to fall into two categories - fascinating insights into a time disappeared and insufferably monologues that make you die a little inside each time you're trapped into hearing one.

A collection of the former, perhaps with a common theme, could make for a great book, with or without the photographs. Great photos could make it special.

I would avoid mentioning the book up front so as not to have to deal with the uncomfortable eventuality of someone telling you their life's tale only for it not to be deemed worth printing.

shawnee

Hi Pickaroony and thanks for your comments. Yeah I suppose older people and others indeed can go into their pet story if left unguided. However I do believe with a bit of guidance that nearly all people who have lived that long have some interesting times in life. I suppose some people are more guarded and others more open about their lives.
I would be inclined to choose those whom I would know or receive a recommendation (of someone with an interesting story )

Curiously are you in France right now ? Spend a bit of time down Perpignan/Colliure myself.

shepthedog

If you could come up with a theme to bind the whole thing together it might make the whole project more interesting and engage potential readers.. If its a random collection of interviews it might struggle to attract and hold peoples interest..
Interesting idea and best of luck with it.

AggressiveWorm

nude?