Family History Writing Tips

You don't have to be a great novelist to write something interesting. Just be yourself.

A few minutes a week and you can do amazing writing.

I am not an expert at writing, but I have been through hundreds of journal entries, letters etc. This is a list of suggestions from what I always wanted to know when reading the journals

Don't forget the date.
Then come the 5 W's and an F. If you are bored writing it, people may be bored reading it. It is not hard to make it interesting, just add a few W's and how you felt about it.
- WHY, Why did you go on a trip, garden, go on a date.
- WHERE Where did you go or where did it happen. Why were you there?
- WHO, Direct family members or oft mentioned friends first name is OK, but full names are needed for friends and acquaintances, at least once every few pages even for close friends. Family members, Bro, Sis, Aunt, Uncle prefixes help. Just think how would someone 50 years from now know who you are talking about.
- WHAT What where you doing when you fell and broke your leg. What did your Mom find when she screamed your name like a banshee.
- WHEN was this. Date is listed above, but was this morning going to school, afternoon coming home, at lunch time etc.
- Feeling How did you feel about it?
When you write your own stories, here are some questions to consider. Questions to ask living ancestors.
Some of the funniest things I remember about my Uncle was the growing up stories he told in Camp. Along with tame WWII stories. Familysearch login needed for this link.
Don't be afraid to let some of yourself out.
With cell phones we are the greatest journaling generation ever. Just review emails, text messages etc. and you may find you have a lot to write about.
Keep interesting emails from others or the ones you send. Copy them to a permanent file that you back up.

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Page last update Apr 26 2020