Everybody has a story. That’s true. But no question some stories are better than others. Why? Because they are built around great conflict. The bigger the battle, the
Category: Story Planning
Are You Considering Your Reader When You Write?Are You Considering Your Reader When You Write?
I’ve heard it preached many times, write for yourself. While this is a lovely thought, it can be very misleading advice. While it is important for you to be emotionally
How to Use Index Cards to Plot a Family HistoryHow to Use Index Cards to Plot a Family History
I’m known as a plotter. This means I love to outline my stories in great detail before I begin to write. For me, it’s like creating a road map of
Where Do I Begin and End My Ancestor’s StoryWhere Do I Begin and End My Ancestor’s Story
Often we are held back from writing our family history stories because we just don’t know where to start and in turn, where to end it. If we’ve managed to
When Another Necktie Just Won’t Do! (Gift Idea)When Another Necktie Just Won’t Do! (Gift Idea)
This Father’s Day the best gift you could offer your father is the commitment to write his story. Ok, before I hear a big collective sigh out there because you
When to Write about a Family SecretWhen to Write about a Family Secret
We all have them – secrets. Every family history has their share of secrets and as family historians, we generally will stumble across a few in our research. Uncovering a
Tips and Tools for a Rocking First DraftTips and Tools for a Rocking First Draft
Rocking out a good first draft doesn’t just happen it isn’t a matter of chance but rather a result of careful planning prior to writing. We constantly hear about writers
4 Steps to Structuring Story Scenes4 Steps to Structuring Story Scenes
If you’ve made the decision to use creative nonfiction to write your family history story then at some point, you’ll need to consider how you want to structure that story.
Who Do You Think You Are? – What it Teaches Us About StoryWho Do You Think You Are? – What it Teaches Us About Story
I’ve been watching Who Do You Think You Are? How about you? I enjoy following the celebrities in their journey to discover their ancestors. Now what occurs to me about
What Kind of Family History Should I Write?What Kind of Family History Should I Write?
Before you begin to write your family history stories, you have a couple of decisions to make. One of those decisions: What kind of nonfiction narrative do I wish to