Who Are We?
The Life Story Writers Group consists of individuals who are working on writing stories that help to document their own lives or those of their family members or ancestors. The Life Story Writers Group is sponsored by the Whittier Area Genealogical Society (WAGS). You do not need to be a member of WAGS to participate in this group - all writers are welcome!
What We Can Offer You
At our twice monthly meetings, members of the group read the stories they have written about themselves or their family members. We will not criticize your writing style, correct your grammar or your spelling. We may ask for more details about your story, or gently ask for clarification. We may point out resources to help you identify where to go next in your writing, help you improve your writing skills, or identify resources to help share or publish your stories.
Our motto at WAGS is Discovering our family stories. Helping others do the same.
We want to encourage you to write your stories - in whatever voice you choose.
When & Where We Meet
The Life Story Writers Group meets from 1 p.m. to 3 pm. Pacific Time on the second and fourth Wednesdays of the month.
We meet virtually through Zoom on the second Wednesday of each month.
We meet in person on the fourth Wednesday of each month January through October at the Whittier Senior Center, 13225 Walnut Street, Whittier, California 90602.
In order to be added to our mailing list and receive meeting reminders, instructions on how to join our Zoom meetings, and monthly writing suggestions, send a request to our meeting facilitator at newcomerok@charter.net.
Writing Resources
Don't know what to write about?
We offer suggested writing prompts every month. If you are on our Life Story Writers Group mailing list, you will receive them automatically. If you are a WAGS member, they are published in our members-only monthly newsletter, WAGS Family Tales. We also publish the current writing suggestions here on our website.
Do you suffer from scriptophobia (fear of writing)?
Our quarterly column, The Writer's Block, presents tips for getting started, suggestions for overcoming your fear of writing, and other inspiration to help you get started on your writing journey.
The Writers Block is published in the February, May, August, and November issues of our members-only monthly newsletter, WAGS Family Tales.
We also publish the latest installment of The Writers Block on our website.
Need some writing tips?
Check out our Writing Tips and Tricks page for some quick tips to jump--start or enhance your family history writing and hone your writing skills.
Looking for more guidance?
Our Writing Links page sends you to the best resources we have found on the web for life story and family history writers.
Do you want to help your fellow writers?
If you've found a writing tip that has helped you, a useful website about family history writing, or any other resources for writers, we'd love to hear from you! Send us the information, and we'll consider posting on our web pages. Send your suggestions to president@wagswhittier.org.