After a decade of working together at Evalogue.Life, we (Rhonda Lauritzen and Rachel Trotter) have co-authored a book about the power of personal storytelling. Throughout our careers, we have conducted thousands of oral history interviews, have written client books, and coached students. In doing so, we discovered some profound truths, now written into this book.
Unlock resilience and healing by crafting your personal and family narratives.
What if writing your memoir, autobiography, or family history story could heal old wounds, bring your family closer, and give you a renewed sense of purpose? The personal stories you write today are like love letters sent into the future, arriving when others need a boost in difficult moments of their lives. Writing is a transformational journey, and it will have a profound impact on you and the people you care about most.
The book’s details at-a-glance:
- Preorder now, for release December 15, 2026 (Amazon, Barnes & Noble)
- Also available wherever books are sold (See buying options below)
- Published by Post Hill Press
- Distributed by Simon & Schuster
You’ll discover:
- The surprising power of story: How writing personal and family history stories reshapes difficult experiences into triumph, builds family bonds, and creates meaning.
- Real experiences of students and clients: You, too, can experience the magic that happens when people connect through storytelling.
- Field-tested ways to gather memories: Try fun photo prompts, journaling methods, and an approach to oral history refined from thousands of interviews.
- Tools to organize and write with confidence: Practice storyboard techniques, vignette writing, dialogue tips, handling sensitive subjects, and overcoming procrastination or insecurity.
- Special guidance for family history and ancestor stories: Craft engaging narratives without overstepping the truth, and weave in just the right historical context to find the sweet spot of not too much or too little.
Begin today and form greater connections, capture reflections on your life, and leave a powerful legacy. Whether you are writing an autobiography, memoir, or multigenerational family history, you will find that if you do it now, it will be enough.
Rhonda Lauritzen and Rachel J. Trotter are seasoned biographers, conference speakers, and magazine contributors who share proven methods that have helped thousands of students and clients. Whether you’re a beginner, a genealogist, or a lifelong writer, this practical guide will inspire you from start to completion. It is like having two encouraging mentors walk with you on your journey.
Get the book here:
Amazon.com: https://amzn.to/3SSeHcz
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/changing-the-ending-rhonda-lauritzen/1149827358
Hudson Booksellers: https://hudsonbooksellers.com/book/9798895655238
Target: https://www.target.com/p/changing-the-ending-by-rhonda-lauritzen-rachel-j-trotter-paperback/-/A-1010854630
Books-a-million: https://www.booksamillion.com/p/Changing-Ending/Rhonda-Lauritzen/9798895655238
About Rhonda Lauritzen
Rhonda Lauritzen is a professional biographer and a longtime speaker at international conferences such as RootsTech, the world’s largest Family History event. She has an undergraduate degree from Weber State University and an MBA from the University of Utah. She served as CEO of her family’s business and a state college VP. Her writing journey began with her parents’ family business saga, and in 2016, she founded Evalogue.Life. Since then, Rhonda has been hired to tell the stories of families, buildings, and cities. Her previous books include A Child in Berlin and Creative Insecurity published by Post Hill Press. She believes that when you tell your story, it changes the ending.
Rhonda has appeared in major media worldwide including The New York Times, NPR, CBC Canada, FAZ Germany, and many more. In the family history world she speaks at the big conferences and regularly teaches for Family Tree Magazine, Legacy Family Tree Webinars, RootsTech, and does classes for genealogy societies.
Read Rhonda’s full bio and get more info about booking her as a speaker here: https://evalogue.life/rhonda-lauritzen/
About Rachel J. Trotter
Rachel Trotter has been telling stories since she could walk. Before becoming a professional writer, she worked as a reporter for seventeen years at her hometown newspaper. She reported on heavy topics ranging from heated city elections to local school issues. But her love for writing about people’s life stories and their triumphs over tragedy captured her heart.
She has a passion for family storytelling. A graduate of Weber State University, she has had articles featured on LDSLiving.com, FamilySearch.org, and Meridian Magazine. She has been a speaker at RootsTech and many other genealogy conferences. She has written dozens of life stories, including books, and conducted more than a thousand oral history interviews. Rachel and her husband, Mat, have six children and several grandchildren. She and her family live on the East Bench in Ogden, Utah.
Read Rachel’s full bio and get more info about booking her as a speaker here: https://evalogue.life/rachel-trotter-full-bio/
