The business of writing memoirs for seniors is growing and AI is facilitating it
Cheng Xi, a 29-year-old real estate worker, discovered her passion for preserving family stories during a conversation with her mother.
This motivated her to assist elders in transforming their memories into physical legacy through elegantly bound memoirs.
Cheng identified memoir writing as a supplementary endeavor prior to transitioning it into her primary vocation.
According to a report in ThePaper.cn, her profession, which generates an income of up to 20,000 yuan (US$2,753) monthly, entails extensive interviews and meticulous writing, transforming disjointed memories into refined narratives.
She is not alone. On sites such as Xiaohongshu, youth disseminate their experiences in creating life narratives for the elderly. These projects often incur expenses ranging from 20,000 to 40,000 yuan, contingent upon their complexity, and often times need up to three months for completion.
Search results on Xiaohongshu for memoirs writing.
A growing market
According to the National Bureau of Statistics, China's population is aging, with 21.1 percent of its residents aged 60 or older by the end of 2023. The market for products and services geared to the elderly is continuously growing. Memoir writing is only one of the various services that cater to this group.
Every memoir contains a tale beyond the words on the page. Some elders commission memoirs to commemorate achievements or preserve family history.
Others take comfort in telling their life story, often with an implicit need for connection. According to the Shanghai Observer, loneliness is a common theme among clients.
Ming Wei, a former journalist with 12 years of experience, now writes memoirs full-time.
Her projects frequently combine human stories with historical events, such as one about a five-generation military family.
"It's not just about documenting events," she says. "It's about uncovering the meaning and values that link generations."
One of Ming Wei's post where she claims that she earned about 180,000 yuan(US$ 24,771) for writing memoirs during her hardest times.
The role of AI in writing memoir
AI platforms are offering faster and cheaper alternatives for memoir writing. For as little as 10,000 yuan (US$1,376), users can submit materials and receive a draft within weeks. While efficient, these tools lack the nuanced understanding that defines human connection.
"AI can generate text, but it lacks the human connection that makes a story compelling," said Ming Wei. "Memoirs are not just about compiling data; they're about empathy and understanding."
One post on Xiaohongshu promotes the AI tool developed by their tech company, in which they claim the AI tool can help users rake in 50,000 yuan monthly by using AI to write memoirs for clients.
A broader perspective
Critics argue that the industry, despite its apparent potential, faces significant challenges. The costs are high, the timelines are unpredictable, and the emotional labor required is immense.
But for some, the process has inspired personal initiatives. A university student, moved by the trend, spent her winter break creating a simple memoir for her grandparents.
"You don't need a professional to hear their stories; you just need to listen," she told Shanghai Observer.
A research study conducted by Beijing Normal University highlights how "life review interventions" can enhance seniors' self-esteem and life satisfaction.
Xin Shijie, a creative writing professor at Shanghai University, shared the example of his uncle, a former literature enthusiast now documenting their family history.
Writing, he explained, serves as both a creative expression and a form of emotional release.
