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Any fast scribe can type what you say while you speak, into a transcript. Even a voice-to-text program can do this reasonably well, although it may have a few errors and the punctuation or paragraph breaks may not be in the right place.

But oral history scribing requires additional skills, on top of being able to type someone’s words. Not all scribes can scribe personal stories because deep listening and emotional awareness are needed to do this well, and not everyone has those skills. An AI or voice-to-text program can’t do it properly either because only humans can have the compassion needed for this work.

There are two types of oral history scribing roles:

• Silent scribe: a scribe who listens deeply and is emotionally present for the storyteller while they type what they say. This type of scribe does not prompt the storyteller. They do not ask for more information than the storyteller naturally gives. They are present but not interviewing. They can offer emotional support if needed.
• Interviewer scribe: a scribe who types as they (a) listen deeply and (b) ask questions to clarify or expand but without any pressure, without  interrupting, and without any expectations. At the same time as listening and typing the storyteller’s words, they are preparing to ask any questions needed. But the  interviewer scribe is not a journalist – they are not trying to get information out of the storyteller. They are, rather, acting as a catalyst or guide to assist the storyteller to tell the stories they want to tell, in as much detail as they want.

Our style of scribing oral histories

Most of the clients who want us to scribe while they speak, whether they want to tell their oral stories or life stories, or dictate a letter or submission, want someone who will help them get their words out. So the role our scribes usually take on is the role of  interviewer-scribe.

We do not usually record the interviews on audio recordings, but simply type as the person talks. However, if the scribing sessions are to type someone’s oral history for a memoir or life story we offer to record it on audio as well, and then later we can give the client their unedited story on an audio file, as well as the typed, edited version of their story.

All our clients want their stories scribed so they can then share their stories to their loved ones, or sometimes to the public. After the stories have all been scribed some clients want the transcripts amalgamated and turned into a professional book, and others just want the transcripts. We at On Time Typing Books and Life Stories do whatever they want with the transcripts.

Why oral history scribes need to be emotionally present

Only people with empathy and good emotional resilience can scribe oral histories because the subject matter can sometimes be painful for not only the storyteller but also the listening scribe who is typing their words.

Sometimes a story is easy to tell and sometimes it is hard, depending on the emotion of the storyteller or the force of the story. The scribe is emotionally present for the storyteller, while typing what they say, and this forges a mutual trusting relationship that enables the storyteller to tell the stories that they really need to, so the scribe can document those stories for them.

However, scribes are not made of concrete. At times the scribe may feel overwhelmed by the story they are hearing and typing in such a focused way, and need to ask the storyteller to stop for a while so they can take a break. The storyteller may also needs a break at times. After a break they are both refreshed and can continue the storytelling and scribing.

Our storytelling scribes, scribing oral histories

Kyle

Kyle Walmsley lives in Melbourne, Victoria. He identifies as LGBTQI+. He has been scribing oral histories and storytelling, including stories to be included in books, for many years. He has a background in theatre, arts development and community engagement. As an “interviewer scribe” he has typed the stories of neurodivergent and disabled storytellers as they speak while guiding them to articulate what they want to say. Kyle is currently working with a storyteller who is neurodivergent and disabled, scribing their stories for a publication.

Kylie

Kylie Sloot lives in Melbourne, Victoria. She has been scribing for many years. She has a background in executive officer roles and consulting with people who are disabled or neurodivergent. Kylie is available to work with storytellers who want their oral histories or life stories scribed.

Sally-Anne

Sally-Anne Watson Kane lives in Moe, Gippsland, Victoria. She has been scribing oral histories and life stories for publication for 30 years (since 1996). She is passionate about oral history, the integrity of oral history as a storytelling product, and converting people’s spoken stories into printed words that other people can read. As an “interviewer scribe” she has typed the stories of neurodivergent and disabled storytellers as they speak while guiding them to articulate what they want to say. Sally-Anne is currently working with  storytellers who are neurodivergent and disabled, and speak English as a third or four language only. 

In addition to her “interview scribe” role, Sally-Anne manages her businesses, that are focused on different aspects of self-publishing and writing coaching.