https://www.bylyons.com/home daily 1.0 2024-01-09 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/c1ed88c4-7374-4c79-bf74-59436c1b4803/christy2.png Home - Let’s tell your story. My name is Christina L. Lyons. Telling people’s stories has been my life’s work as a journalist and author in the Washington, D.C., area for more than 35 years. I have interviewed and written about entrepreneurs, military veterans, immigrants, politicians, policymakers, activists, victims of violence and others for local, state and national publications. As the owner of ByLyons LLC, I help people tell — and preserve — their stories for their loved ones, friends, clients and communities. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1639417921799-QRNBZ8VLF8S2WOEUX7FS/unknown%2Bletter%2Babout%2BEphron%2BNichols%2B-%2Bp.%2B3.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1639418026879-LI3XV0Y0J17DW76NGPKU/1952_Drake%2BUniversity%2Byearbook%2Bpage.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/db125782-ae4d-4554-b34f-009f61513166/Hiram%27s+mom.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671138978670-ZO2I4XW0R2BW9MSYRVLD/IMG_0067.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/be231f30-15ed-447a-8bcc-11c1e999b23b/HerHands8185.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1648671619766-W8TAS6LBTN99HUNDTMBC/Vingettes8270.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671149160008-WBIZS7QT687TQPTJB2R6/IMG_0080.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/ab80790f-74c3-4a12-bb6a-28e957cc877e/sc0191a3ec02.jpg Home https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704828460976-CZ6M0NAUIWCTE2PW4WWF/IMG_4785.jpg Home https://www.bylyons.com/services daily 0.75 2024-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/97aa73ba-21ab-46ef-ae3a-2c919ff401cc/1952_Drake%2BUniversity%2Byearbook%2Bpage.jpg Services - Biographies and Organizational Histories In-depth descriptions of the life of an individual or the development of a business, non-profit, or community. I do interviews, detailed research, and historical analysis to bring to life the story of a person or organization. My process helps uncover details of past experiences and memories of life — or work — lessons to help ensure treasured stories are preserved and shared. The final product combines a narrative with timelines, photographs, graphics, or other images to help readers visualize and put the story into context, and includes detailed citations. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/e8aca7ca-1e8a-4945-bef4-3ce3c69cdf7e/Hiram%27s+mom.jpg Services - Memoirs and Autobiographies Personal narratives that dive deep into a time period, experience, or life achievement, or chronologically recount a life story. I listen closely to your life story, help you reflect on past experiences, and hear your “voice.” I do research, review family photographs and documents with you, or interview family and friends to help prompt and flesh out memories. The final product is a narrative — in your voice — that either takes a close look into your life story (a memoir) or recounts, chronologically, the events of your life (an autobiography). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/218d17f9-6020-472f-91a1-eb0706d69bad/Vingettes8289.jpg Services - Family Histories Detailed reports about ancestors or narrative descriptions of a family’s accomplishments and struggles over time. Diligent genealogists can locate thousands of documents to complete detailed and sometimes unwieldy family trees. But a rich family history requires an understanding of where your ancestors came from, how and why they moved, and how historical events affected them. I offer historical research and analysis to help uncover and detail your ancestors’ stories and flesh out a narrative that will capture future generations’ attention. Maps, timelines, graphics, and historical photos help tell those stories and bring history alive. https://www.bylyons.com/process daily 0.75 2024-11-08 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/4b8360cc-f955-4fb2-ba4b-decfc303e18a/ProcessNumbers_2.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/579078c2-2e10-4225-9838-69b90b36caf5/ProcessNumbers_4.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/64446041-43be-4a3c-911a-90b415cf8012/ProcessNumbers_3.png https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1a428238-8459-4e75-a2f5-b0ef9e594bfc/ProcessNumbers_1.png https://www.bylyons.com/about daily 0.75 2025-06-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/c1ed88c4-7374-4c79-bf74-59436c1b4803/christy2.png About About Me My name is Christina Lyons. I have been writing people’s stories as a journalist, author, and ghostwriter for more than 35 years. Writing was destined to be my life’s work. As early as second grade in a Los Angeles suburb, I filled journals, notebooks, even stacks of loose paper with stories from my imagination. In high school and college, I discovered an even greater joy in capturing the details of true stories through interviews and research, then weaving words into detailed narratives. My first newspaper job led me to Maryland, where I became immersed in the culture of the Eastern Shore, surrounded by pastures and farms at the edge of the Chesapeake Bay. I explored the region, met new people with varied backgrounds and experiences, and wrote stories as a reporter for the Queen Anne’s Record Observer and the Easton Star Democrat. Later, I moved to central Maryland to work as a reporter for the Frederick News-Post. Then, in Washington, D.C., I studied and interviewed political figures, policymakers, lobbyists, business leaders, and others as I covered Congress and the administration for several daily news publications focused on environmental and health care policies. At the same time, I earned my master’s degree in political science from American University. I spent more than fifteen years at Congressional Quarterly, the company journalist Nelson Poynter launched to help people understand the work of lawmakers on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. I began as an assistant producer for a documentary (with former NBC correspondent Sander Vanocur), then as an editor for several daily and online publications. From 2008 to 2009, I managed and co-edited CQ’s Politics in America, a 1,200-page book profiling every member of Congress. Later, I worked as an editor for Bloomberg BNA and wrote for CQ Researcher, National Journal, Frederick Magazine, and other publications. I continue to write about government policy and social issues for CQ Press, now a division of Sage Publishing. I have explored the history and debate about the Supreme Court, domestic terrorism, Native American rights, policing in America, the loneliness epidemic, and more. I also write about federal policy issues in Sage’s Congress and the Nation series. I love meeting new people and learning their stories. That’s why I created Memories and Histories, a subsidiary of my writing and editing company, ByLyons LLC, to help people around the country preserve their stories in compelling narratives. In 2015, I earned a certification in Reminiscence and Life Story Work from University of Wisconsin-Superior, focused on the process of retrieving memories and the therapeutic effects of life storytelling. I regularly attend memoir writing workshops offered through various professional writing associations, building and expanding my skills. In 2021, I earned a certification in “guided autobiography” instruction from the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies, founded by Dr. James Birren, the founding dean of the University of Southern California School of Gerontology and former associate director of the UCLA Center on Aging. I network with other writers, editors, and researchers. I am a member of The Authors Guild, the American Society of Journalists and Authors, the Washington Biography Group, the Maryland Writers Association, the Birren Center for Autobiographical Studies, and the National Genealogical Society. For seven years, I led teen writing clubs on behalf of the Maryland Writers’ Association and edited and published five volumes of Emerging Voices: Poetry and Prose by Maryland Teens (available on Amazon, including 2019, 2020, 2021). I also am a founding member and board director of the Montgomery County Genealogical Society. If you’d like to connect, see my profile on LinkedIn. I live in Maryland with my husband, Louis. When not working, I spend time visiting with my grown children, hiking, traveling, crafting, reading, or writing about my own memories or the stories of my ancestors. https://www.bylyons.com/contact daily 0.75 2024-01-24 https://www.bylyons.com/mystory daily 0.75 2025-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/08703c9d-0dfe-4ef7-9c8b-4cc52927ca87/1-1024x768.jpeg MY STORY My dad describes the photos in an old family album, along with his memories of various ancestors and homes, while I take notes. (July 2009) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/ee754bbd-531d-4717-a114-31ebe08bd167/2-1024x768.jpeg MY STORY Dad points to photographs in his old military photo album while reliving memories of his Army service during the Korean War. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/7449ef5a-fae6-4a70-bd86-2a0c9e067af6/6.jpg MY STORY - Make it stand out My dad at 16, just after his father pulled him out of the Army.. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/dc3cf741-07a6-4234-bce4-3dd53badeb92/7-675x1024.jpeg MY STORY - Make it stand out My dad taking a practice jump during training as a paratrooper. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/6a0cb511-7838-49e4-a6ef-a8faa26b47c5/8-1024x650.jpeg MY STORY My dad as a young boy on his grandparents’ porch in Hallsville, Missouri. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/cff66b6e-e608-416a-9f67-65edf2f86741/5-1024x803.jpeg MY STORY My dad and his constant companion, Casey, having a chat at his bar in Palm Springs. https://www.bylyons.com/samples daily 0.75 2025-10-23 https://www.bylyons.com/samples/nichols-family monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1670968501347-VZ87YX62U1ZLBGCRLYGI/Books8406.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1648154280435-QAIBVZOEQTB9IO3J2F0A/Vingettes8270.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1648153926184-Y8Q9L22YLBCSHF4E3TE1/Vingettes8267.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/17c37166-56d5-43f3-a3a9-9b39d0e1f2be/Vingettes8285.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/5dfc15f4-2c1f-4070-904d-898519136aa1/Vingettes8313.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/7b8b0447-8ee9-42d2-9e3e-d77172341c1b/Vingettes8326.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/326952f7-d159-4de2-ad1f-ebb59e7aaf44/Vingettes8297.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/0b4ea92a-e1d4-4062-9f18-8f9258f583b4/Vingettes8393.jpg SAMPLES - THE NICHOLS FAMILY: An American Story https://www.bylyons.com/samples/life-with-music monthly 0.5 2022-12-14 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1670968399864-I7NSFPEIL63G9CN46LIK/Books8427.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE WITH MUSIC: My Story of Family, Faith, and Hope https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/e3d15bab-f9b6-491f-8e29-e18ace107564/Vingettes8353.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE WITH MUSIC: My Story of Family, Faith, and Hope https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/d8dffb09-eba9-47ee-92ae-7bca65e43a33/Vingettes8354.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE WITH MUSIC: My Story of Family, Faith, and Hope https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/48b91d64-afb8-49a8-8d6c-e7d45d4b41d7/Vingettes8371.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE WITH MUSIC: My Story of Family, Faith, and Hope https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/6c43bfb3-44aa-45ab-aadf-00ce0bd07c8e/Vingettes8382.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE WITH MUSIC: My Story of Family, Faith, and Hope https://www.bylyons.com/samples/lifeisfunny monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671138978670-ZO2I4XW0R2BW9MSYRVLD/IMG_0067.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE IS FUNNY: My Adventures from Possum Hollow to the Million-Dollar Club https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/be5fa889-5436-4b4c-89f3-8adc13b9fb74/IMG_0094.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE IS FUNNY: My Adventures from Possum Hollow to the Million-Dollar Club https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/bd974163-8610-44f5-b4ee-1a19d333b063/IMG_0096.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE IS FUNNY: My Adventures from Possum Hollow to the Million-Dollar Club https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1ab0e1d7-73e0-4fb9-88b1-6189d5159357/IMG_0100.jpg SAMPLES - LIFE IS FUNNY: My Adventures from Possum Hollow to the Million-Dollar Club https://www.bylyons.com/samples/embracing-life monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671204529269-6JAD7X87Q1ITTQ50KJKU/IMG_0106.jpg SAMPLES - EMBRACING LIFE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671139821272-UGN9NB01GL0G5VJ6TLLW/IMG_0065.jpg SAMPLES - EMBRACING LIFE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671140011049-G1RQOFYVGN5SC5LVQGN2/IMG_0056.jpg SAMPLES - EMBRACING LIFE https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1671205484751-BDVODS7BNKGKGPSDIHOX/IMG_0112.jpg SAMPLES - EMBRACING LIFE https://www.bylyons.com/samples/crack-of-light monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704821527209-AA31FHOI7QZHXL8I5POS/image0.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/e7041732-85a0-464d-b729-d4067f55e570/IMG_4780.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704832078408-X9I22CPYXVAWJDW4QB58/IMG_4799.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704831746510-67F9IZK6909SJ1NUB4L2/IMG_4793.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704831908003-AVXT3E9271FVOTBNGLI7/IMG_4796.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704828948368-IYELGEFALVQSQGMXNLJD/IMG_4788.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704828974674-V6OZR0L8YT0QJOQS1AWV/IMG_4789.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1704832222008-2TXRN9FYYRT3H1JUXBWZ/IMG_4790.jpg SAMPLES - CRACK OF LIGHT https://www.bylyons.com/samples/diary-of-my-past monthly 0.5 2025-10-23 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1705683236443-OANPDBJ4CYTHR8ULQVVN/2023-10_Henry+with+three+albums+%28cropped%29_edit.jpg SAMPLES - DIARY OF MY PAST https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/5e1e7ced-f02e-4352-8a86-2420a344a354/Harry_composite.jpg SAMPLES - DIARY OF MY PAST https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/2c8303a1-ec64-49f9-9fd3-49350ceb21ea/2023-08_Henry+talking.jpeg SAMPLES - DIARY OF MY PAST https://www.bylyons.com/samples/expectations monthly 0.5 2025-07-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1705693675493-GLT3CFEWGDD75O9IWLBQ/Title%2Bpage.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1705693568542-QYJRT2X20K107YUBJNV9/Table%2Bof%2BContents%2B-%2Bturned.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1705693725930-MKCCFHKVGANFJJ4C2TMJ/Loose%2Bchapters.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1705693759837-4BNDZDRWPCDWGHFD1LAU/Timeline.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/80530b08-58ab-4b8d-9c33-e6c55767c569/Two+loose+chapters.jpeg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1705693803099-U674R5RZXOF3CUPZZDIA/Van%2Band%2Bbaby%2Bcarriage.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/d142a486-4353-4927-b2bc-79aa465f4fd9/IMG_5100.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/61dbfbee-2a35-4141-8f61-47212fff4c26/IMG_5101.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/6b8f77a4-d0ee-4db6-be06-7b7773b67cbc/IMG_5107_Bkgd+blur.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/30901415-1716-4774-af4b-de8ead8e649c/IMG_5117_Blgd+blur.jpg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/428c5e34-694e-4d84-901c-e13dc3637794/Van+Doorn+Ooms+book_4+2.jpeg SAMPLES - EXPECTATIONS: Rational and Otherwise https://www.bylyons.com/samples/pursuing-ideals monthly 0.5 2025-06-30 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/7e18d789-db45-45f7-8a71-e7184915c78c/IMG_1779.jpg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/1749135270239-BXGBX2VB2SG5HUAX7FRG/IMG_7327.jpg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/9dd576e6-357a-4534-a8a4-2d4e3b349f92/IMG_7544.jpg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/b1b89f76-90b5-4e70-b914-8c3a76637976/IMG_7545.jpg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/be61866c-dee6-46fa-8da3-b62d18b581cd/IMG_7335.jpeg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/36d13dd2-b398-4876-8709-eb81058b7ca0/IMG_7550.jpg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/61b0dc849000de68bf8a1fc2/a35c1030-a752-46ea-a3dd-94a96a560f60/IMG_7553.jpg SAMPLES - PURSUING IDEALS & PROMOTING IDEAS: An Academic’s Quest to Create a Better World