Welcome to Storylines! In today’s video, we’re exploring a question that comes up all the time: Is sharing the facts enough when telling family stories? We’ll look at the difference between fiction and creative nonfiction. We’ll examine how to use informed speculation responsibly. And we’ll identify the tools that help us stay transparent with our readers. If you’ve ever wondered how to write stories that are both truthful and truly engaging, this episode is for you. Let’s dive in!
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Comparing Your Writing to Others: Don’t Do It!Comparing Your Writing to Others: Don’t Do It!
Do you ever feel overwhelmed or discouraged when comparing your writing to others? It is too easy to look at someone else’s success, creativity and skill as a writer and become paralyzed with doubt and anxiety. While taking the time to learn from published writers can be beneficial, constantly judging your own work against theirs can limit your progress as a family history writer. By understanding why we do this — and learning how to break free of these mental traps — you will find yourself more open to creative possibilities while freeing up energy that was once wasted on unhelpful comparison. In this blog post, I’ll explain how constantly measuring our work against others can damage our own unique writing voices, as well as provide strategies for moving forward in developing these skills instead of getting stuck in comparison mode.

Incorporating Prep Time into Your Writing RoutineIncorporating Prep Time into Your Writing Routine
You know, writing is a lot like baking a cake. You don’t just throw all the ingredients into the oven and hope for the best, do you? No, you measure, you mix, and you prepare. So, why should your writing process be any different?
Today, we’re going to look at one of the most overlooked yet crucial ingredients in the recipe for a compelling family history narrative – prep time. Just as a chef sharpens his knives before cooking, a writer must also hone his thoughts, ideas, and research before setting pen to paper.