Become a Lore Mapper

Follow these steps to plan your interview, record the stories, and post your Chat Map

What ignites your passion for capturing this story?

Is it a school project?

Do you yearn to connect with a neighbor or family member on a deeper level?

Perhaps you aspire to make a positive impact in your community.

Identifying your purpose and keeping it at the forefront will guide you throughout the interview process.

Grab Your Community

Who holds the key to unlocking the story you seek?

Is it a wise elder in your family or a neighbor who has witnessed the neighborhood's transformation over time?

Reach out and connect with them!

Explain your goal (remember your "why" from the previous section) and how their participation can be instrumental in bringing your project to life.

Grab Your Person

Your objective is to guide the conversation and elicit their experiences.

Listen attentively, posing questions to steer the dialogue towards your objective or to keep them engaged in storytelling.

We've provided some examples below to get you started!

Talk With Your Person

To craft a captivating story map, pinpoint the settings mentioned in the narrative.

When your storyteller mentions a specific place, inquire about details. Pause briefly to drop a pin on your map.

Assign a number to the pin, mention it aloud for the recording, and resume the conversation referencing that number.

This way, you'll effortlessly link the spoken narrative to the corresponding location on your map.

Map as you go

Be mindful of your storyteller's valuable time.

Coordinate a convenient schedule for the interview. Offer to send them your questions beforehand so they can gather their thoughts and prepare for the conversation.

Consider having refreshments on hand, like water or tea, to create a comfortable and relaxed atmosphere.

Stay aware of your own safety: tell a friend when you leave for an interview and tell them who you are interviewing.

Plan Your Visit

Explain your storyteller's rights.

Their story is their own intellectual property, and you're simply recording it.

They have the right to opt out at any point, without explanation or pressure.

A sample consent form is available for reference.

Explain Consent

Always plan for the unexpected!

Assume your primary recording device might malfunction and have a backup recorder running simultaneously.

A good strategy is to use a tablet or computer for capturing both audio and the map.

Your secondary device, like a phone, can serve as an additional audio recorder.

Remember to test your equipment thoroughly before the interview.

Be Prepared