Tell Them Why

Tell Them Why

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Tell Them Why
 
A young woman recently mentioned that the lovely necklace she was wearing had belonged to one of her grandmothers – and she was sad that she didn’t know which one, nor anything about the piece. When talking to her further, she mentioned sorrow about a beautiful, hand-made quilt she saw in a second-hand store, forgotten and abandoned by the family of the quilter(s). While it’s true that stuff is just stuff, if you have items that are precious to you, it’s imperative that you record why you’ve kept them. Include pictures in your StorySite along with the history of the objects; remember that you can include up to twelve pictures in each chapter, and up to 100 more in the Photo Box.  

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Now, what was that again?

Now, what was that again?
 
Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Now, what was that again?
 
Does it happen to you too? You have a great recollection of a story you want to write down but before you can get to your StorySite, the memory has disappeared. Ugh! What strategies do you have to capture a reminder about the story before it’s gone? You could tell someone you’re with, so there are two of you to remember, to increase the odds. Make a quick note or voice memo on our phone? Or maybe jot a note on a piece of paper, the back of an envelope, or even on a napkin. (Hey! It works in the movies!) Whatever it takes, hang on to those remembrances and get them written into your StorySIte!

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

New Year, new you?

New Year, new you?
 
Porch Swing Tip of the Week: New Year, new you?
 
How many times have you heard that in the last several weeks?  New Year, new you. People encouraging others to remake themselves into what they’ve wished was a common theme around New Year’s Day.  You, however, are unique, without any required resolutions! Your story is different from every other person’s, even though it might include times when you switched direction or created a new and improved you. Those stories might just inspire someone you know to move toward their own goals. Don’t forget to tell your readers how the changes worked out for you! 

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Gift Certificates

Gift Certificates

Gift Certificates

 
 
 
 
Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Gift certificates available now for your loved ones
 
OK, you last minute shoppers. Here’s the perfect solution to your procrastination or indecision: a Porch Swing gift certificate! Think of the people you know whose life stories are fascinating and entertaining — and deserve preservation. Log onto www.porchswingstories.com and scroll down to discover the five different available plans you can present. Once you’ve decided which product fits your budget and provides the right encouragement, scroll further down to the gift package icon near the bottom of the page on the left, and click on Learn More. In the secure purchase process, in the Order Notes box, add the name of the recipient and his/her physical address (if sending a hard copy gift certificate) or email address (if sending and electronic gift certificate), And Done! Check that one off your To Do list! Whew!

Merry Christmas from all of us a Porch Swing Stories! 

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Editing Services are Available

Editing Services are Available

Editing Services are Available

 
 
 
Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Editing Services are Available

Ugh! Do you ever have trouble coming up with just the right word?

If you haven’t found an online thesaurus that you like, may we suggest merriam-webster.com or theaurus.com? Both sites suggest synonyms that can help you find the word that keeps eluding you, to express the exact feeling or thought your story needs. You can also check the meanings of words, if you have questions, with their dictionary feature. Also, available are word games, tests of your word knowledge, and even writing tips! But beware! Some could distract you from your writing and why you went there in the first place! 

But, if you’ve used the help available to you online, and you just feel like a real person would be best for you, Porch Swing does have editors and Story Coaches to give you input and help you improve your finished product.  We are always her to help! 

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Have You Set Writing Goals?

Have You Set Writing Goals?

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Have you set writing goals?

Many Porch Swing authors have found it easier to complete their book with a plan in place. Setting specific, reasonable, measurable goals may help you as well. A time-centered objective, for example, would need to include how many chapters you expect to write, when you want them all completed, with manageable target dates between now and then to have each chapter written.  A chapter-a-day goal would give you a ten-chapter book in just ten days! It may be more helpful for you to begin with an outline, a table of contents, or a list of possible chapter titles or subjects or stages of your life to guide you, chapter by chapter, to completion of your book. Share your plan with someone who can help you stay on track and accountable and, be sure to recognize/celebrate your achieved milestones so you’ll be encouraged to finish strong. 

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Knowing Your Grandparents

Knowing Your Grandparents
 
Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Knowing Your Grandparents

Do you know a lot about your grandparents? If you do, you’re ahead of the curve! See how you stack up; according to ancestry.com, 68% of people they surveyed were unsure how their grandparents met; just over a third (36%) didn’t know their grandparents’ occupations; 56% couldn’t name a single great-grandparent; 42% didn’t know what their grandparents looked like as younger persons; 38% couldn’t name a grandparent’s birthplace; and about a third (35%) couldn’t recall their grandmothers’ maiden names. Hmmmm…. You have your StorySite to record detailed data about yourself for your own grandchildren, the important “facts” and fun information. Be sure to upload pictures with accurate captions, especially those precious black-and-white or sepia-toned photos from long ago that they will cherish.

We want your future generations to have all the lowdown!

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Preserve Your Legacy

Preserve Your Legacy

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Preserve Your Legacy

Arrangements for your heirs to receive your financial legacy may be taken care of already.  If that’s squared away, now you have time to work on the inheritance of your stories, right?  No one else in the whole world has lived a life just like yours, with its ups and downs, joys and sorrows, triumphs and defeats. Though it surely hasn’t happened to you, there may be other people around you that are having memory troubles. So just in case your recollections would ever become fuzzy, get them written down, the sooner, the better! And don’t worry about remembering what you had for supper last night; your body’s taking care of that. 

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Read a Story Out loud to a Loved One

Read a Story Out Loud About a Loved One

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Read a story out loud to a loved one.

Cooler fall weather arriving means more inside time for many of us; the opportunity to work on your StorySite is here too! You have several weeks before the holiday season begins to get some stories written in time to be tested on your friends and family. Write down holiday remembrances or the account of any life experience; ignore the writing for a week or so, then pull it out and read it again. If you’re like most people, you’ll think of details you want to add or change. Shine up your story, or stories, then over the holidays, get ready to see the delight in the eyes of family members when you read aloud to them what you’ve written. If someone just happens to make a recording of you reading your story, upload it to your StorySite. How exciting for your listeners! We predict you’ll be encouraged to continue your compositions.  

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team

Why do we call it a StorySite?

Why do we call it a StorySite?

Porch Swing Tip of the Week: Why do we call it a StorySite?
 
Your website at Porchswingstories.com is a great place to write and store your life’s treasured stories. That is, of course, why we call it a StorySite!  You can type directly into your StorySite, making changes and corrections as you go. All the usual text editing preferences are available on the toolbar in the editing mode. You can also type and edit your stories in your favorite word processing program and then cut and paste them into the correct chapter of your StorySite. Even though we didn’t call it a PictureAndStorySite, pictures can be stored there as well, your printed book of stories comes directly from your StorySite. And, of course, Porch Swing story coaches and editors are available to help you whenever you need them.  Now hop on your StorySite and begin saving those special life stories of you!   

So, what stories can we help you with?

Need additional help? Contact us at 833-767-2411 or inquiries@porchswingstories.com 

We’re always here to help.
 
Jayme & John Resnik and the Porch Swing Team