Sometimes the most powerful part of a story is not what is said outright, but what is left unsaid. In this video, I explore “the gap” as a silent story
Tag: creative nonfiction
How to Choose the Ancestor You Write AboutHow to Choose the Ancestor You Write About
You’ve done the work. You have the binders, the photographs, the spreadsheet with three hundred names — and now you want to write, but you cannot pick which ancestor to
How to Recognize a Story Worth TellingHow to Recognize a Story Worth Telling
Not every ancestor detail becomes a story—but some absolutely do.The question is… how do you know when you’ve found one?
Why Family History Research Doesn’t Automatically Become StoryWhy Family History Research Doesn’t Automatically Become Story
You can spend years gathering records and still feel like you don’t have a story.Because research collects information—but story requires something more.
The Ancestor You Should Write About FirstThe Ancestor You Should Write About First
The hardest part of writing your family history isn’t the writing—it’s knowing where to begin.Let’s find the ancestor who’s already waiting for you.
The Secret to Writing Stories Your Grandchildren Will Actually ReadThe Secret to Writing Stories Your Grandchildren Will Actually Read
You don’t need more facts.You don’t need more time. You need one powerful shift that changes how you write your scenes — and today, I’m going to show you what
What I Look For First When I Read a DraftWhat I Look For First When I Read a Draft
Today, I want to let you in on a little secret. What I look for first when I read a draft. It might surprise you.
You Written the Draft – But Don’t Know What to Do NextYou Written the Draft – But Don’t Know What to Do Next
You’ve been working away on that first draft.Maybe it’s finished. Maybe it’s only partially complete. At some point, a new question begins to surface:What comes next? How do you improve
What Refinement Really IsWhat Refinement Really Is
Refinement isn’t about fixing what’s broken — it’s about clarifying what’s already trying to emerge in your story.This week on Storylines, I’m unpacking what refinement really is, why it feels
Why Revision Feels Harder Than DraftingWhy Revision Feels Harder Than Drafting
Revision often feels harder than drafting — not because something is wrong with your work, but because the work is asking something different of you now. Drafting runs on momentum