Whittier Area Genealogical Society
Whittier Area Genealogical Society
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Blog Entries: 1 to 4 of 4
August 2, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Summer 2024
BUILDING BLOCKS FOR
EFFECTIVE STORYTELLING
 
In 1989, Stephen Covey wrote a self-help book called The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, and in 2024, Danny Heitman applied this principle to becoming an effective writer in his article published in the Phi Kappa Phi Forum.  Below is a summary of his article.
 
Keep a Notebook:  Jot down your ideas as they come to you – they can become the basis for a piece of writing.
 
Read Your Writing Out Loud:  Writing should reflect regular speech, and reading your writing out loud is a wonderful way to spot problems.
 
Write Something Every Day:  Think of writing as a muscle that needs to be exercised to stay focused and healthy.
 
Have a Writing Friend:  Someone who can read your writing and offer honest feedback – a fellow member of a writing group could be a great option.
 
Be Open to Criticism:  This is hard for all of us, but remember that writing is supposed to be a “conversation between a writer and a reader,” and constructive criticism can help the flow.
 
Consider Your Audience:  Don’t forget who you are writing for – storytelling often falls flat when you forget who you are trying to reach.
 
Read:  To learn how to write effectively, read often and sample a variety of work. 
 
Above all, remember that the goal in writing isn’t to immediately strive for perfection, but to find a story that is worth telling in your own voice.  Don’t be discouraged, storytelling is more about the courage to begin than about the skill required to do so.
May 1, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Spring 2024
 
 
WHY WRITING MATTERS
 
 
We are the chosen in each family
There is one who seems called to
Find the ancestors
To put flesh on their bones and
Make them seem alive again
To tell the family story and to feel
That somehow they know and approve
Doing genealogy is not a
Cold gathering of facts but
Instead breathing life into all
Who have gone before
We are the storytellers of the tribe
 
Unknown 
 
People write because they want to craft and share stories drawn closely from their experiences, which is what life story writing is supposed to be.  Writing is about more than recording facts; writing – like painting, music, or any other art – can be a path to self-discovery, a way to learn more about ourselves and our origins.  Writing is another way to understand the world around us, to tell our and our ancestors’ stories, explore feelings, thoughts and challenges, and recording them for the future.
February 7, 2024 By: Kristina Newcomer
Winter 2024
HOW TO BEGIN WRITING YOUR STORY
AND LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT
Part II
 
Once you have answered the question of “Why and who am I doing this for?,” your next step may well be to begin collecting basic information about your subject matter, but remember, although data-points are important, they don’t drive a story forward, personalization does.
 
As you begin writing, don’t let insecurities or mental obstacles get in your way.  Common stumbling blocks include time constraints, not knowing where to start, forgetting details – or the more familiar “I’m not a good writer.”  Let’s tackle these one at a time.
 
Time constraints. Life is busy and most of us can’t afford to close ourselves off from the world to write a novel based on someone’s life.  Begin small.  Write a three-paragraph article about one aspect of your topic.  Set aside some time – once a day, a week, or a month – to add to your story.  Writing in small increments reduces frustration.
 
Where to start. There is no specific rule as to where to begin a story.  While lives are lived in  chronological order, memories don’t necessarily follow the same path.  Begin with something that triggers a strong memory and proceed from there.  The story will practically write itself.
 
Forgetting details.  It can be hard to admit that sometimes our memory fails us, but that’s life.  Help yourself by creating a timeline for your subject and you may be amazed at what you can remember by utilizing this visual prompt.
 
Not a good writer.  Give yourself a break!  No one expects you to become the next Alex Haley overnight.  The great thing about writing in the computer age is that there are lots of forums, guidelines, and programs to help you polish up your writing style, help you focus on your subject matter, and compose a well-organized story.  Take advantage of these and your writing will shine.
November 1, 2023 By: Kristina Newcomer
Fall 2023
HOW TO BEGIN WRITING YOUR STORY 
AND LIVE TO TELL ABOUT IT
Part I
 
It can feel pretty daunting when you think about writing your family stories, but take heart, you can do it, and you’ll be amazed at how trouble-free it can be with the write (pun intended) attitude.
 
To help you get off on the right foot, one of the first questions you should ask yourself is, “Why and who am I doing this for?”   Once you have decided what your purpose for writing is – putting together a personal history or preserving an ancestor’s life story – the process becomes less of a challenge and more effortless.
 
Many people want to write a personal or family history but become lost or overwhelmed by the scope of their plan.  The key is to take a seemingly monumental task and break it down into more manageable pieces.  Because a personal history should be more than a drab description of singular events, try putting color and personality into your writing by including funny anecdotes, feelings, and life lessons learned.  This will make your stories connect with future generations. 
 
Whatever your reason for writing – creative exercise, leaving a legacy, or just for the fun of it – you will be rewarded with a feeling of accomplishment and your descendants will have something intimate and special to cherish far into the future.