Research? Not Necessarily Not all stories need research! This is a statement I would never have made when I began searching for my ancestors five years ago. My ancestral journey has never been one of "names, dates and places" For me, these have only ever been a means to the end, the end being the... Continue Reading →
Share Your Writing Introductory Hook
s world. I know it was dominated by the seasons. Rain and mud leads to long hours of back breaking harvesting to be followed by long nights of breathing life into newly born animals. So how did Thomas find that one piece of paper that was to change the life he led then to the life that was to come 12 thousand miles away on the other side of the world?"
Writing A Narrative Begins With Writing A Hook
We may not admit it, but, deep down all writers want readers. I have told myself that my readers will be the "future generations" of my scattered, extended family. Whatever your expectations one thing is certain, we want our readers to read more than the first paragraph! We want vindication that the stories we tell, matter. Did you disagree with my opening statement? Whether you agreed or not is immaterial My goal was to make a statement that would you, the reader, carry on reading
A “MUST DO” First Step To Writing A Family History Story
Have you ever wondered what it is like to write a novel? Well, here is your chance to find out. I extend to you a once in a life time offer! You are invited to join me on this "Warts and All " evolution of Fact to Fiction Have you ever wondered what it is like to write a novel? Well, here is your chance to find out. I extend to you a once in a life time offer! You are invited to join me on this "Warts and All " evolution of Fact to Fiction. The story will based on the journey my Great Grand Uncle, took when he emigrated from Norfolk, England to Kapunda, Australia in 1852. The research provides my facts. My questions become the fiction. From first draft to last your feedback, support and contributions will be acknowledged when (and if) we reach our successful conclusion.
How To Mix Fact and Fiction In Your Family History Story
Nothing is more likely to turn your family off genealogy than showing them than the much researched lineage of your 4x Great Grandparents and your 3rd cousin twice removed! I extend to you a once in a life time offer! You are invited to be part of a collaborative writing event in which we will journal the evolution of Fact to Fiction. From first draft to last, your feedback, support and contributions will be acknowledged when (and if) we reach a successful conclusion.
It’s Storytime: A Tale From Norfolk, England
The year is 1881 and my Great Grandfather (Theophillus Adcock) is 30 years old and his wife, Sarah, is pregnant with their 5th child. Queen Victoria has been on the English throne for 44 years and the Crown Hotel, which takes centre stage for this story, has already been serving the locals for over 200 years.
Digital Story Telling: What, How, Listen
Be warned, if your goal is to research how to podcast your short story then typing "digital story telling" in the task bar is going to be somewhat disheartening as its use as a either a marketing tool or a classroom activity takes the lead in search engine results. Advertising, television and gaming are so well established in our 21st century digital age that it's not surprising that the media of choice for digital story telling is overwhelmingly visual. However, with today's baby boomers and their offspring taking up the fastest growing hobby of genealogy (not to mention the impetus derived from the publication of Alex Hayley's "Roots" in the 1970's) there is always room for new "players" in the form of story tellers who want to podcast their short stories.
Be The Story Teller In Your Family
Before the advent of the printing press oral story telling was the only option for the budding narrator/bard/raconteur or, as we say in Australia...."spinner of yarns" However, long before story telling became entertainment it held a powerful place in our evolution. Gilgamesh, the Sumerian epic was recorded on clay tablets in cuneiform script 1,500 years before Homer. Now, I have not read either of these epics but, even without this scholarly exercise, I know that story telling began long before Gilgamesh. Wherever people have lived together there have been stories told.
Story Teller: Listen To Me!
My last post, Be The Story Teller In Your Family, identified the benefits of telling a story in the presence of your audience. I made a promise to myself (and my readers) that I would take one of my written stories and try to breathe life into it via the medium of audio. I hasten to remind my readers that I did not specify a time frame! In the interim I have been trawling and listening to story tellers from around the world. Motivation was my goal and, of course searching for that one thing that made these story tellers so captivating. In fact there is no one thing in respect to their technique. What they did share was apparent as soon as they lent towards the microphone. They loved telling stories.
The Best Family History TED Talks & Videos
I was warned by experienced family researchers that once I started my family tree I would become addicted! They were right. Writing stories, finding connections and stalking my family members (both near and far) for snippets of information have become all consuming. So much so that I have had to devise a way to chill out. Sitting back with my feet up, a cup of coffee close by and a TED Talk was my solution. The topic? What else, Family History!
Warts And All 