How to Tell Female Ancestors’ Stories
Our female ancestors’ stories can be harder to tell. Census records reduce their lifetimes into who they married, how many children they bore, and the ubiquitous “keeps house.” It’s work to discover their maiden names, much less their narratives. As a result of...
Why Context Matters in Storytelling
A story’s setting and circumstances of its characters gives it its life. Even if the “characters” are real. That’s why context matters in storytelling. The idea that a picture is worth a thousand words is often misunderstood, in my opinion. Sure, having a visual of a...
Using Small Details to Describe Family Members and Relationships
Family storytellers can take a page from fiction writers who know the importance of the small details in describing a character. Though you may have to dig a little to find that type information about ancestors (more about that coming soon), your memory banks and...
Icebreakers: What Really Matters to You
Icebreakers can work for writers as well as speakers. We know ice breaker games from summer camps, team building meetings, and orientations. Fun, get-to-know-each-other exercises. Toastmasters International has their own version of Icebreakers. In their first speech...
Story Prompt: Favorite Toy or Possession
A description of a favorite toy or possession can tell a deeper story, whether it was your own or someone else’s. My mind immediately goes back to those 5” x 5” black and white photos of the sixties. If my sister had had her way, “Chatty Cathy” would’ve accompanied...
Don't Wait.
Put the episodes of the past to paper.
We all have stories to share with our children and grandchildren. Whether it’s a proud moment, memories of grandparents, or a lesson you’ve learned, Memories of Me: A Complete Guide to Telling and Sharing the Stories of Your Life helps you put the episodes of your past onto paper and share them with loved ones.
