Questions about the questions
What the storyteller needs, when questions arrive, who sees what and how the book is made, answered plainly. The rules themselves are on how it works.
Frequently asked questions
Does the storyteller need an email or an account?
No. They get one link, by message or on a printed card, and open it on a phone, tablet or computer. There is nothing to sign up for, no password and no email. Only the person who keeps the book signs in, with a passkey.
How do they get each question?
The question appears on their link at 9:00 on the question day you choose, in their own time zone. Nothing is sent to them. You can pass the link on again whenever you like, and add the calendar of question days to their phone or yours so nobody forgets.
What if they do not answer?
Nothing piles up. A new question only goes out once the last one is answered or skipped. If it is still open on the question day, the question stays as it is and the next one waits for the next question day after that.
Can the family see answers straight away?
Yes. A story appears on the family link the moment the storyteller taps Done. What they are still typing is never shown to anyone.
Can several family members suggest questions?
Yes. Everyone with the family link can suggest a question, or ask a follow-up under a story. Suggestions never go straight to the storyteller: the person who keeps the book approves or declines each one.
Who sees a suggested question?
The person who keeps the book, and anyone with the family link, until it is approved or declined. The storyteller only sees it if it is approved and its turn comes. Suggestions refuse email addresses, web addresses and phone numbers.
Can they edit an answer later?
Yes. Under My answers on their own link they can open any answer, change it and save. The family sees the new words with a small edited note, and the date it was first written stays the same.
Can they talk instead of type?
Yes, with the microphone on their phone keyboard. Tap the microphone key, speak, and the words appear in the box. The page saves them like typed words.
Can stories be in any language?
Yes. Every answer is kept exactly as typed, in any language or alphabet, emoji included. The PDF book sets Latin, Greek, Cyrillic and Arabic letters in its own fonts and draws everything else, such as Chinese or emoji, as the device shows it, so nothing is left out.
Can I add photos?
Not yet. Stories are text only.
How do I make the book?
On a book's page, under Stories so far, download a PDF with a cover and chapters by life stage, one story per page or flowing, on A4 or Letter, or the same stories as Markdown. The account page also gives everything as one file.
What happens after 20 stories?
A book holds 20 answers. After that no new question goes out, and the storyteller sees That is all the questions for now. Thank you. Every story stays readable, editable and in your export.
Can I have more than one storyteller?
Yes. One book is for one storyteller, and an account holds up to 6 books, each with its own links and question day.
How do I delete everything?
On your account page, Delete my account signs you out everywhere and stops every link at once. Sign in within 7 days to cancel. After 7 days every book, question, story, draft and suggestion is deleted for good. To delete one book only, use Delete the book at the end of its page.
What if I lose my phone?
If your passkey manager syncs your passkey, it is on your other devices already. Otherwise sign in on another device you added, or use the recovery code you were shown at sign up on the recovery page. The storyteller's and the family's links keep working either way.
Is Grandtell connected to a memoir or printing company?
Grandtell is not affiliated with any memoir, printing or family-history company. It does not print books and checks no facts: the stories are the family's own words.