Every life has a story worth telling.
Memory Lane makes it easy to preserve yours. Through relaxed, one-on-one conversations, we turn your memories and life stories into a beautifully written memoir for you and your family.
You've lived the story. Let us help you write it.
This isn't a writing class, and it isn't a literary project. Nobody's grading the prose. What you end up with is a keepsake book for your children and grandchildren to cherish for years to come.
Memory Lane is a memoir writing service. We sit down with you one-on-one, and we ask about your life. You tell your stories the way you would share them with a friend over tea or coffee. We listen and inquire about your childhood, education, friendships, career, travel, hobbies, family, and more. And then we shape all your stories into a personalized memoir.
Why Memory Lane?
At Memory Lane, you are at the heart of the process. You set the pace, choose the stories, and the finished memoir reflects your vision. We are here to support you every step of the way.
Mark an occasion
Birthdays, anniversaries, and other special occasions often spark a desire to reflect on a life well lived—and to capture the stories that make it meaningful.
Helping hand
You've been meaning to document your family history and personal stories, but figuring out where to begin can feel overwhelming. Memory Lane provides organization and a thoughtful partner to guide you through the process.
Preserve memories
Give your children and grandchildren a way to connect with the past. Share insights from everyday moments to major events, so the next generation appreciates the stories and values that shaped your life.
How it works
Four steps from a friendly phone call to a finished memoir.
A first conversation
We talk briefly—no pressure, no commitment—about Memory Lane and whether this feels like a good fit for you.
Four 90-minute sessions
We meet one-on-one, in person for Greater Princeton area residents, and over Zoom for everyone else. And you simply tell your stories while we listen, type, and capture everything.
We write it up
Between sessions we transcribe and shape your stories into chapters. Then you get the chance to read the draft memoir, and you have the option to make changes or add more details.
Your finished memoir
The Starter package ends with a printed document you can share with the whole family — with a hardcover upgrade available if you'd like to add it to your bookshelf.
Packages and add-ons
A clear starting point — with room to grow the project if you want more.
Starter Package
The place to begin, with a finished keepsake memoir at the end.
- Four 90-minute one-on-one sessions
- Your spoken stories listened to and typed as you tell them
- A finished printed document
- In person in the Greater Princeton area or by Zoom
Additional Sessions
For stories that need more than four sessions.
- Add sessions at any point in the project
- Same relaxed 90-minute format
- Extra chapters can be woven into your memoir
- No need to decide up front
Hardcover Upgrade
Turn the memoir into a book you can hold.
- Printed hardcover book
- A true family heirloom
- Lovely for gifts and anniversaries
- Can be added later in process
Milestone Occasions
For a special birthday, anniversary, or retirement.
- Everything in the Starter package
- Include reflections from family and friends
- Their words interspersed throughout the memoir
- A surprise the whole family shares in
Testimonials
Testimonials to be added
Frequently Asked Questions
What if I don't think my life is interesting enough for a memoir?
Almost everyone wonders this, but it is the everyday details — the street you grew up on, how you met your partner, what your mother cooked — that your family will treasure the most.
I'm not a writer at all. Is that a problem?
Not in the least — it's the whole point. You never write or type anything. You talk, we listen, and we do the writing for you.
Can I choose which stories are included—or left out?
Absolutely. We only include the memories that you want to share, and you can make edits along the way.
How long does the whole thing take?
The Starter package includes four 90-minute one-on-one sessions scheduled at a pace that works for you.
What if we need more than four sessions?
Additional sessions can be added at any point in the project.
Should I prepare anything in advance of our working sessions together?
No significant preparations are necessary. We simply provide a list of general themes and prompts to help jumpstart the process. This way, memories and stories will come to mind more easily during our sessions together.
About Amy
For nearly two decades, Amy Zacks has worked closely with individuals and families, helping them reflect on the values and experiences that have shaped their lives. Through that work, she came to appreciate just how meaningful our personal stories can be—and how important it is to preserve them for the people we love. Amy holds a B.A. in History from Tufts University and has spent her career working with nonprofit organizations, including Facing History & Ourselves, Planned Parenthood, 92nd Street Y, and the Jewish Community Foundation of Greater Mercer. At the Foundation, she assisted community members with ethical wills and other legacy projects designed to preserve family histories and deeply held values. Memory Lane is a natural extension of that work—and of Amy's belief that every life has a story worth telling.
