Writing your family story is a personal and valuable endeavor, and you are uniquely positioned to tell it. Drawing on guidance for capturing personal and family histories, here’s how you can approach writing your family narrative.
Getting Started: Owning Your Narrative
The first crucial step is recognizing that you are absolutely the best person in the world to write your story and your family history. Your perspective, memories, and voice are irreplaceable. Don't feel intimidated; embrace your role as the family historian and storyteller.
Planning and Gathering
Before you start writing pages and pages, some preparation can be helpful.
Make a Time Line of Major Life Events
Creating a timeline isn't just about dates; it's about mapping out the significant milestones, moves, births, deaths, and other pivotal moments that have shaped your family. This timeline can serve as a framework, helping you identify key periods or events you want to focus on.
Gather Memories from Other People
Your memories are essential, but others in your family hold pieces of the story you might not know or remember differently. Gather memories from other people – siblings, cousins, parents, grandparents, aunts, and uncles. Their stories, perspectives, and even photos can enrich your narrative and provide a more complete picture.
Use Memory Triggers
Sometimes, memories are elusive. Use memory triggers to help unlock details and anecdotes. This could involve looking through:
- Old photographs
- Letters and journals
- Family heirlooms or objects
- Visiting significant family locations
These triggers can spark specific recollections and sensory details that bring your story to life.
Writing Your Story
When it comes to the actual writing, consider these flexible approaches.
Be Specific
Generalities don't make for compelling stories. Be specific in your writing. Instead of saying "We had a nice holiday," describe the smell of the gingerbread cookies, the way the lights twinkled on the tree, or the sound of a particular family member's laugh. Specific details immerse the reader in the experience.
Forget About Chronology
While a timeline helps with planning, don't feel beholden to writing your story strictly from beginning to end. Forget about chronology if it helps you get started or tell a particular part of the story more effectively. You can jump between time periods, focusing on themes, relationships, or significant events as they come to you or feel most impactful.
Write the Way You Speak
Your authentic voice is key. Write the way you speak. Don't try to use overly formal language or complicated sentences that don't sound like you. Your natural voice will make the story more relatable and personal for your readers, whether they are family members or others.
Consider Your Handwriting (Optional)
The reference also suggests using your handwriting. While writing digitally is common today, presenting some parts of your story in your own handwriting can add a deeply personal touch, especially for sharing within the family.
Summary of Key Tips
Here's a quick look at the core tips for writing your family story:
| Tip | Description |
|---|---|
| Own Your Story | You are the best one to tell it. |
| Time Line | Map major events for structure, but don't feel limited by it. |
| Be Specific | Use details to bring the story to life. |
| Forget Chronology | Don't hesitate to jump between time periods. |
| Memory Triggers | Use photos, objects, etc., to recall details. |
| Gather Memories | Collect stories and perspectives from other family members. |
| Write As You Speak | Use your natural voice. |
| Use Handwriting | An optional way to add a personal touch. |
By following these tips, you can effectively capture the richness and unique history of your family.
For more detailed guidance, you can explore resources like the one referenced: 18 Writing Tips for 2018: How to Tell Personal and Family Stories with Confidence.
