Your memories, your wisdom, your legacy—captured and preserved for those who come after you. Strengthen family bonds and ensure your story is never forgotten.
Start writing your family’s story with Duane Roen today!
Duane Roen has taught writing for over five decades, most recently at Arizona State University. He believes everyone can learn to write effectively. Passionate about preserving family memories, he developed over sixty workshops on topics like family and food, photos, and heirlooms. Duane and his wife, Maureen, started a daily family journal when their son Nick was born in 1978. They’ve written nearly 21,000 pages of family stories.
Duane says, "Reading an entry from decades ago is like watching a video of what happened that day." He believes writing about family history and journaling fosters a sense of identity and belonging.
Duane Roen's Story
My passion for family history began with my Grandma Roen’s Norwegian family Bible as a teenager.
In the last 15 years, I’ve conducted 1200 workshops, writing alongside participants. For over five decades, I’ve taught writing, most recently at Arizona State University.
Since our son Nick was born in 1978, my wife Maureen and I have kept a daily family journal of nearly 21,000 pages.
I’ve developed over 82 workshops on topics like family meals and heirlooms, helping others share their memories.
Looking for inspiration? These prompts will help you start capturing your family’s story. Write on your own or, even better, gather loved ones and reflect together.
Favorite Memories about School Days
Each of us will write a favorite memory, and everyone will be invited to share a memory with the group.
“The very act of writing it down made her realize how easy it would be to forget, how important it would be from now on to put everything, everything, down on paper.”
— Donna Tartt
“The best loved stories are not from books or films, but those from our own families.”
—Jayne McGarvey
"You die twice. One time when you stop breathing and a second time, a bit later on, when somebody says your name for the last time."
—Irvin Yalom
“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.”
—The 14th Dalai Lama
“Food is our common ground, a universal experience.”
—James Beard
"I can shake off everything as I write; my sorrows disappear, my courage is reborn."
– Anne Frank
“Being there for a child is the most notable thing a toy can do.”
—Woody, Toy Story 4
"Have enough courage to trust love one more time and always one more time."
–Maya Angelou
Ask Duane
Have a question, want to request a topic, or need a personalized workshop?
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