After I wrote my family story I had many people tell me they wish they could do the same. ANYONE can write their family story and I strongly encourage you to spend the time . There are no rules- it can be any length, any format, and you can share in any way you want. Here are some steps to break down a task that can seem overwhelming into manageable steps.
1) First, determine your "Why".
Why do you want to tell your family story? The "why" must be determined to guide you through the rest of the writing process. Some want to pass stories on to the next generation, others may have a story they believe the world should read, and some may want to establish a stronger connection with a family member .
Here are some ideas to get started: have a brainstorming session with other family members, look through old photo albums , read old cards/ letters, or watch old family movies.
A few questions to ask to find your story are : 1) If asked to describe your family , what would you say? 2) What are some of your most memorable family traditions? 3) What stories do you tell around the dinner table when you have a new guest? 4) What story does your family have that is almost hard to believe? 5) What makes your family unique?
A memorist will start with events and then later in the writing process derive meaning from them. An exceptional memorist will derive meaning that resonates with their readers and not just the author.
2) Determine the Structure
Will you flash backward and forward from past to present? Take a look at books you've read recently for ideas. I decided to flash between current memories and past memories and also interweave my memories in between those of my family members. Each scene needs to move the story forward to keep the reader engaged.
3) Find Your Voice
For helping figure out both structure and voice, look at books you have recently read or authors you enjoy reading. Study their work .
4) Write!!
Barbara Kingsolver said " The only to become a writer is to sit down and write." Find pockets of time where you can. You may need to sacrifice other things like watching TV or spending time on social media.
5) Revise and Proofread
There are countless books on the writing process. I recommend one for anyone wanting to write any type of nonficion: On Writing Well by William Zinsser. He guides through how to find your voice, write about yourself, interview subjects, inject humor and many other valuable lessons. To read more specifically about memoir writing I recommend Diana Raab's "Writing for Bliss".
When revising make sure there is a reason for all of the detail included and that it serves to keep the reader engaged.
6) Solicit Feedback
Will your book be only for your family or will you publish for all to read? If you will publish for all , make sure someone outsides your family proofreads for areas that do not make sense. It is hard to see these blind spots when you are telling your own story.
6) Publish
I used CreateSpace to publish my family story. It was easy to use and I was able to order beautiful copies to hand out to members of my family. Since the story was about my grandparents I wanted to make sure they had a copy to pick up and read whenever they wanted.
7) Celebrate!
When you are done with a story, no matter how many people read it, celebrate . You have done something few people do, stuck with a creative project until completion. Whether you self-publish or get published, you now get to call yourself a writer.
Isabel Allende said, " Write what should not be forgotten." The world will benefit from you sharing your story. I grew closer to my family members while writing my story and was able to give my grandparents a priceless gift. Now, get writing. I can't wait to see what you all come up with!
