Whittier Area Genealogical Society
Whittier Area Genealogical Society
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November 27, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for December 2024
Because of Christmas, Hanukkah, and Kwanzaa holidays, the WAGS Life Story Writing Group will meet on ZOOM on WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 11th from 1-3 pm (PT) only.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in December.
 
The December theme is:  A PICTURE IS WORTH 1,000 WORDS – OR AT LEAST A PARAGRAPH OR TWO!
 
Write a paragraph or two about the following:
  • Choose a photograph of the earliest male and earliest female ancestor from your collection and fill in the following blanks.
  1. Name (including maiden)
  2. Birth, Marriage and Death dates and locations
  3. How related to you
  4. Significant events within their lifetime
  5. Occupation, children, when the photo was taken, and other special things about this person we should know
  • Your life in decades.
  1. Choose the earliest photo of yourself and continue with one photo for each decade of your life up to the present.
  2. Write something about each photo to tell the story of your life.  Be sure to include vital statistics (as above), funny anecdotes, or special memories attached to each photo.  Try to limit each story to two paragraphs.
As always, if these prompts are not of interest to you, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
November 1, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for November 2024
Because of the Thanksgiving holiday, the WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 13th from 1-3 pm (PT) only.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in November.
 
The November theme is:  MOMENTS IN YOUR ADULT LIFE
 
Write a paragraph or two about the following topics:
  • Has retirement been a positive or negative experience?  Do you enjoy a slower pace now? Do you find yourself as busy as ever?
  •  
  • Have you taken up any new hobbies over the last few years?  Do you share these hobbies with your spouse or friends?  Why is this hobby special to you?
  • Are you active in various social, political or literary groups?  How did you get involved?  Have you held any positions in these groups?  Why did you join?  How have these activities benefited you?
  • Do you enjoy the theatre, attend concerts, or visit museums?  Do you belong to any cultural organizations?  What got you involved in the ones you’ve chosen? 
As always, if these prompts are not of interest to you, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
October 2, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for October 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 9th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 23rd from 1-3 pm at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in October.
 
The October theme is:  ROMANCE & RELATIONSHIPS Part II
 
Write a paragraph or two about your marriage history.
  • Who proposed?  Was it just a mutual understanding between you and your future spouse or was it a special occasion?  Did you tell your parents or future in-laws your plans?
  • Describe your wedding.  Was there anything unusual in your vows?  Who officiated?  Who was in your wedding party?  Did you choose special music for the ceremony? 
  • Describe the reception.  Was there food, music, dancing?  Where did you hold the reception?
  • How did you get along with your in-laws?  What did your parents have to say about your intended? 
  • Where did you go on your honeymoon? 
As always, if these prompts are not of interest to you, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
August 30, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for September 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 11th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, SEPTEMBER 25th from 1-3 pm at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in September.
 
The September theme is:  ROMANCE & RELATIONSHIPS Part 1
 
Write a paragraph or two about your romantic history.
  • Who was your first love?  How old were you?  Did it last, or did your interest fade quickly?
  • Do you remember your first kiss?  Memorable, or not so memorable?  Spill!
  • Did you date during high school?  What was a typical type of date?  Describe your best and least favorite date.  Was there a particular personality type that you gravitated toward?
  • How and when did you meet your life partner?  Did you hit it off immediately or did you grow on each other over time?  Did you have to contend with family or societal objections?  How long did you date before finalizing the relationship?
  • Did you have any “crushes” in your life?  Was it a celebrity?  A sports hero? Your best friend’s sibling?  Did you write “love letters” to them?  Who else knew about your crushes?
As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
August 2, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for August 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 14th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 28th from 1-3 pm at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in August.
 
The August theme is:  ANCESTORS WHO DESERVE AWARDS
 
Write a paragraph or two about your ancestors or relatives who deserve recognition and congratulations for their accomplishments in life, be they serious, humorous, or scandalous.  Below are some possible topics.
 
  • Founding Father/Mother Award
  • Political Action Commendation
  • True Grit Award
  • Wounded Warrior Medal
  • Most Dramatic Demise Award
  • Marital Bliss or Misery Prize
  • Most Notorious Kinfolk Award or Black Sheep of the Family Trophy
  • Unique Name Female/Male Prize
  • Brick Wall Prize for Most Mysterious Ancestor
  • Independent Woman Honorable Mention
 
Feel free to add additional topics, and be sure to include their relationship to you. 
 
As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
July 1, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for July 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, JULY 10th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, JULY 24th from 1-3 pm at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in July.
 
The July themes are:  Hobbies, Activities, Sports, Special Skills
  1. Did you take any lessons as a child?  Music, swimming, art, dance, or skating?  Write about the lessons your parents made you take compared to the lessons you wanted to take. What were your teachers like?  Did you keep up with your lessons as you grew older or did you begin new ones?
  1. Did you participate in extra-curricular activities while in high school?  What were they? Sports? Music? Theater? School newspaper?  Describe in detail.  How did you like your coaches?  Did you continue any of these activities while in college?  Or, try something new?
  1. What hobbies or crafts do/did you enjoy?  Quilting, knitting, stamp or coin collecting, woodwork, photography, painting, book club, or genealogy?  What has been your most rewarding activity over time?
  1. Do you have any special skills that only your very closest friends and family know about?  Care to share?
As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
June 2, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for June 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 12th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, JUNE 26th from 1-3 pm at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in June.
 
The June theme is: Community Involvement
  1. Have you ever been on jury duty?  What was the case?  How did the jury decide?  If you have served more than once, what was the most interesting trial in which you have participated?  Were you ever the jury foreman?
  1. Have you ever run for office?  Did you win?  Have you been appointed to an office, or volunteered to help with local, state, or federal elections?  Have you changed parties since you originally registered to vote?  If so, why?
  1. Have you volunteered your time to help a local organization?  Which groups have you helped?  Civic, charitable, the arts, educational, or social organizations?  Where do you believe you have made the greatest impact?
  1. Have you ever marched for or against anything?  What made you decide to take your stance?  Do you have strong convictions about a current topic?  Explain.
As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
May 1, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for May 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, MAY 8th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, MAY 22nd  from 1-3 pm at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Writers Group members will receive a reminder with the ZOOM link prior to the online meeting in May.
 
The May theme is: Travel
  1. Have you ever traveled to Europe or other locations outside of your home country?
           Tell about your first time traveling abroad.Where and how did you travel?  What was the purpose of your trip?  Work?      Vacation?  Education?  Heritage?          
  1. Is there any place you’ve been that you’d like to visit again?  What about this place draws you back? 
  1. Did you take family vacations?  Were these driving trips, train trips, camping trips?  Describe one of your favorite family trips and any memorable events that occurred along the way.
  1. If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go?  Why?  How would you get there?  Train?  Plane?  Bus?  Cruise ship?  Car? 
  1. Do you remember going on trips with your parents?  Which ones were your favorites?  Which ones weren’t?  Why?
As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
April 1, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for April 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 10th from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, APRIL 24th at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center, Room 5.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Writers Group members will receive a reminder and the zoom link prior to the online meeting in April.
 
The April theme is: Earning a Living & Having a Career
  1. What were your first jobs that paid you a salary?  Did you start out in an after-school position?  How did you find this job?  How much were you paid?  Were you nervous on your first day?  Did you feel you were a good fit at your first job?
  1. When did you decide on your dream career?  Did you have a mentor or someone to inspire you in your chosen field?  Were you happy/satisfied in your career?  If you could go back, would you have chosen differently?
  1. What led you to the career choice you made?  Special interests or skills, or were your decisions purely economic?  Or, did the choice just kind of happen?
  1. Were you ever fired or laid off from a job?  Did you ever go on unemployment?  Were you ever passed over for a position/promotion you thought you deserved?  Were you ever discriminated against at your place of employment?
 As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!
March 10, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Writing Suggestions for March 2024
The WAGS Life Story Writing Group will have a ZOOM meeting on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 13th  from 1-3 pm (PT) and IN PERSON on WEDNESDAY, MARCH 27th at the Whittier Uptown Senior Center.  Please join us for friendly sharing and discussion.
 
Current Writers Group members will receive a reminder and the zoom link prior to the online meeting in March.
 
The March theme is ‘back-to-basics’:  Entertainment
  1. Did you listen to radio shows when you were growing up?  Did you have a favorite show?  What do you remember most about these radio shows?  What radio stations do you listen to now? 
  1. What is your preference in music?  Are you a country, rhythm-and-blues, jazz, pop or classical music fan?  When did your tastes change, if at all?  Do you have a record collection?  Did you attend live concerts? 
  1. When did you get your first TV?  How many channels did it get?  Was it black and white or color?  What were some of your favorite shows growing up? 
  1. Are you a live theater goer or do you prefer movies?  What are some of your favorite theater productions?  Musicals or plays?  What genre of movies to you gravitate towards?
 As always, if none of these prompts are of interest, feel free to write about any topic that interests you.  Whether you’ve written anything or not, feel free to join us for friendly sharing and discussion at any of our Writers Group meetings!