Twenty years after his dad died in 1978, Woodmoor resident Mark Anderson sought to learn more about his father’s life.

Anderson consulted an uncle from whom he collected family stories and personal anecdotes. His efforts paid dividends, resulting in a 250-page labor of love that family members embraced and cherished.

Anderson then had an idea. If family members appreciated his efforts, perhaps the community would, too.

“It occurred to me that my ability to document a life story might be valuable to others,” Anderson said.

Armed with a passion for storytelling, Anderson launched Marks My Words Personal Histories, a company designed to capture a person’s greatest and most personal life moments. He believes that by documenting a person’s life story, future generations can better understand that family members’ life and why the things they did mattered.

“I write biographies (and) personal histories that document the incredible events that make up a life,” Anderson said. “The books become family treasures – fascinating tales that explain how an individual met challenges, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding, for generations to come.”

Anderson could not have chosen a better company name. After all, his name IS Mark. And, the phrase “Mark my words” is an idiom used to emphasize that something someone is saying is certain to happen, and that the listener should pay attention. The title proved to be a godsend.

“To register it (company) as a small business, I had to have a name. My son said, ‘Why don’t you call it ‘Mark My Words?’ I liked that, but the name was already registered. So, I checked if Marks My Words might be available and it was. It’s more unique,” Anderson said.

No doubt Anderson’s 18-year military career figured heavily in his business acumen. As a U.S. Air Force officer, he worked in telecommunications and as a defense contractor for the Missile Defense Agency at Schriever Space Force Base in Colorado Springs.

Also, Anderson commanded squadrons of technical training students. He went on to serve as civil engineering administrative commander for five bases in San Antonio. He directed international training for a large flying unit, worked with a communications group in Korea and served as a base executive officer.

Anderson concluded his career helping create the International Program’s Faculty at the U.S. Air Force Academy. He retired with the rank of major in 1997.

Following his retirement, Anderson immersed himself into launching his business. His biggest obstacle was finding people who were ready to invest time, effort and expense in taking on a book project.

“The first few clients had to have a leap of faith to entrust their life stories to me. In time, the results from the books I wrote created good word of mouth and I became an established biographer,” Anderson said. “My clients’ lives provide all the ideas I need for a compelling collection of life stories. They almost always have a vision of the stories they want me to capture.”

Before he can breathe life into a person’s history, Anderson first discusses achievement goals with prospective clients. Anderson schedules an interview, provides planned questions, conducts and records the interview, and reviews the recording before building chapters.

“I explain what’s involved in taking on such a project (time, concentration, honest effort, money). There have been occasions when we decided that such an undertaking wouldn’t be a satisfying experience,” Anderson said.

Anderson sends what he has written to the client for review and inclusion of notes and/or corrections.

“What’s learned in interviews leads to further questions as we move through a life. I work with clients to ensure I get their ‘voice’ as we put their story together. We also add pictures to visually capture the times and places,” Anderson said.

“The books become family treasures – fascinating tales that explain how an individual met challenges, sometimes failing, sometimes succeeding, for generations to come.”

According to Anderson, production time varies. He has completed a book in as little as three months and as long as six years. To date, Anderson has completed 10 books. “I go at the client’s pace. I can meet the client’s schedule and complete a book in a short amount of time. I have learned shortcuts that speed the process, too,” Anderson said.

Also, Anderson can provide an audio recording of the interviews conducted.

“I’ve been able to send these audio recordings to family members after the subject has passed, and the families cherish being able to hear the voice of their loved one preserved forever,” he said.

Anderson doesn’t have a favorite among the books he has produced, as each are comparable to one’s children.

“It’s like asking a parent which one is their favorite child. People open up their secrets, and these revelations are valuable to families,” Anderson said.

Through his books, Anderson hopes clients will pass along an account of what mattered in their lives. He wants their loved ones to know what made his client run, what they loved, what they feared, what brought them joy and despair.

“I want my books to read like a novel, and help someone generations from now to not only understand who the client was, but also see themselves,” Anderson said.

Looking ahead, Anderson said he hopes to continue serving families who embrace capturing inspiration and life lessons.

“I’ve been blessed to have held meaningful jobs I believe have helped leave my world better,” he said. “However, this has been the most rewarding, meaningful work I have ever done.”