FAQ’s (Well, not yet, but they probably will be)

Essequibo Coast, Guyana                     photo by Kristen Hare

I’ve started reaching out to some returned Peace Corps volunteers I’ve interviewed over the years, mostly St. Louis folks, and questions are coming up which I’m going to address here. I’ll still answer them if you ask, though, and promise to do so sweetly.

Why are you doing this?

My Uncle Mike has told me for the last decade that I should write a book about my two years in Guyana. But I don’t know if I have a book from that time. I do have some great stories, though, from great moments. I think lots of people feel this way, and wanted to create a space for those stories to live.

So, are you making this into a book?

That would be cool, and it’s where I hope this eventually leads in one way or another, but I can also see this being a forum for ongoing storytelling. I’m good with it either way.

Do you have a word limit?

No. Ask my husband. I literally don’t. Please tell your own story as best you can in whatever way works for you. 

How will I know if you’re going to use my story?

I will contact you. I will also edit your story for grammar, spelling and style. I may make suggestions for changes, but whatever happens, I’ll send it back to you first so that you’re happy with it before publishing.

I have some good stories but I’m not a writer. Can you help?

Yep. I tell other people’s stories for a living, and there are a number of ways we can do that here, including interviews and Q and As. Like with submissions, if I write your story, I’ll send it to you before it gets published to make sure I’m staying true to what you experienced. I can’t do that in my job as a reporter, but I can do that here.

Are you affiliated with the Peace Corps?

No. But we get along pretty well.

Why do I have to include my real name?

No anonymous sources is a carryover from my work life, but I think it’s a good one. Real life is way too crazy to make up, and that’s what I want to share here. 

So you want small stories from my time in the Peace Corps. Is there anything you don't want from these stories?

Yes. I don't want host-country bashing, or host-country-national bashing. I think it's incredibly cool that, since 1961, 139 countries around the world have welcomed the Peace Corps. Despite the challenges, we're their guests and I'd like this site to honor that. However, you should feel free to mock yourself with abandon.