Do you want a record of the most important stories of your parents’ lives?

I can help.

I founded Questions Unasked because it’s so easy to put off those all-important questions you’ve always wanted to ask your parents or grandparents for some future date when the stars align and it simply “feels right”.

Unfortunately, that time almost never comes, and too many people are left feeling regret over questions unasked. The good news is that you’re here, and therefore one step closer to making sure your loved ones' stories are recorded before it’s too late.

Hi, I’m Victoria Veldhoen.

This is my origin story

My obsession with questions unasked started in 2008, when I was 20 years old, and my mother died from cervical cancer. Although I didn’t have the capacity at 20 to fully understand the family history I’d lost, it became more apparent as the years soldiered on and I was left with more and more questions.

For instance, I was unable to ask my mother what it was like to get married, or have children, or change careers, or how and why she made any of the choices she ever decided to make (not to mention the things she did in her life that I’ll simply just never know).

I spent two years of my life (2017 - 2019) completing an MFA in Creative Nonfiction, which focused on the beauty of making real peoples’ memories come to life in book form. I’ve also taught classes to adults on how to write their own memoirs, as well as led group grief sessions for young women who have lost one or both parents.

These experiences have given me an acute sense of what makes a good story, as well as the knowledge of which questions come up over and over again when probing the depths of another person’s life.

What’s it like to work with me?

Here are some of the traits I bring to the table when working on your heirloom book:

  • I ask good questions (I mean, who wouldn’t want to hear about why Mom did chin-ups in the school principal’s office?)

  • I’m a good listener (My outgoing introverted self thrives on relinquishing the mic to others)

  • (But) I know when to redirect the conversation (Okay, you probably don’t want half of your heirloom book dedicated to Dad’s train collection.) (If you do, maybe let me know on the intake form)

  • I love to piece together an engaging and readable narrative from various, seemingly unrelated stories (And trust me when I say it’s so much easier to do this with adults than it is with my toddler)

  • It lights up my soul to make your words sing (Using oxford commas and eliminating dangling modifiers are my jam)

Are you ready to turn your parents’ stories into a legacy?

I would love nothing more than to hear from you. Let’s immortalize your loved one’s stories.