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Questions to ask your mom, and the second question that finds the story.
40 questions across eight chapters of her life. Under each chapter, the follow-up that turns an answer into a story.
Let Anna ask herfrom $199- He tries it first. Not for him? Full refund.
The second question is the one that matters.
“We moved to Cleveland the winter I turned nine.”
What do you remember about that first winter in Cleveland?
Where she startedQuestions 1 to 5
Where were you born, and what was the house like?
What could you see from your bedroom window?
Who lived in the house with you?
What did your street sound like in the morning?
Where did you go when you wanted to be alone?
If she says “We didn’t have much,” ask:
“What did your mother make stretch further than anyone else could?”
Her parentsQuestions 6 to 10
What was your mother like when you were small?
What did your father do for work, and what did he say about it?
What did your parents argue about?
What did your mother say that you still catch yourself saying?
What did your parents never talk about?
If she quotes one of them, ask:
“When did you first hear yourself say it?”
School and growing upQuestions 11 to 15
Which teacher do you remember, and why?
What did you want to be when you were my age?
What got you in trouble?
Who was your best friend, and what did the two of you do?
What was the first thing you bought with your own money?
If she names a friend, ask:
“What happened to her?”
Leaving homeQuestions 16 to 20
What was your first job, and what did it pay?
When did you first feel grown up?
Where did you live when you first left home?
What did you do on a Saturday night?
What did your parents think of your plans?
If she says “It was just a job,” ask:
“Who did you work with, and who made you laugh?”
LoveQuestions 21 to 25
Who was your first love?
How did you meet the person you married, if you married?
What do you remember about the day itself?
What did the two of you argue about in the first year?
What did you love in each other that nobody else noticed?
If she says “It was love at first sight,” ask:
“What was the first thing you noticed?”
Becoming a motherQuestions 26 to 30
What do you remember about the day I was born?
What scared you most about being a mother?
What did you do when we were sick in the night?
What was the hardest year of raising us?
What did you hope we would never have to go through?
If she says “You were an easy baby,” ask:
“Then who wasn’t?”
Hard times and good timesQuestions 31 to 35
What was the hardest year of your life, and how did you get through it?
Who helped you when you needed it most?
What is the bravest thing you ever did?
What was the best year of your life?
What did you lose that you still think about?
If she says “We managed,” ask:
“Who did the managing?”
Looking backQuestions 36 to 40
What are you proudest of?
What would you tell yourself at twenty?
What do you want your grandchildren to know about you?
What do people get wrong about you?
What do you still want to do?
If she says “I’ve had an ordinary life,” ask:
“Which ordinary day would you like to have again?”
How to ask, so she keeps talking.
Ask about one chapter per sitting.
Put a photo or an old object on the table first.
When she stops, wait. The best part often comes after the pause.
Record it on your phone, with her OK.
Rather not run it yourself?
Anna, our AI interviewer, asks her, follows every answer, and we write the book.
How it works- He tries it first. Not for him? Full refund.
Asking your dad? Most of these work for him too. See the gift for Dad
Before you decide.
Something else on your mind? A person reads every email: hello@sagaseal.com
How many questions should I ask at once?
Four or five. One chapter of her life per sitting is plenty. Follow her, not the list.
Should I record it?
Yes, if she’s happy to. Ask her first. A phone on the table is enough. The recording is often the part the family treasures most.
Is this the list Anna uses?
No. This list is for you. Anna doesn’t read from a list: she asks the next question from what your mom just said, so no two interviews are the same.
He won’t write it. He’ll tell it.
You give the invitation. He tells the story from his favorite chair, one question at a time. We write it, print it, and bind it.
- He tries it first. Not for him? Full refund.
- Pay in full, or in three with no interest
Questions first? Write to a person: hello@sagaseal.com
