One of the questions I get most often since I have been speaking about “Preserving Your Past” is where to start. When people think of family stories or personal stories they become overwhelmed thinking they need to write them all, right now! Many are also paralyzed by the fear of choosing the most important stories first. And, even when I share using your family tree many are worried they don’t have enough information,
So what do I offer as advice?
Most importantly, start with yourself! If you’re goal is to pass along stories to the next generation, it is just as important to get your stories down as it is to gather the stories of the past generations. You know your stories best and writing them first hand. in your own words, while they are fresh in your memory will be priceless. If you do begin sharing stories of the generations before you, start with what you know. Save the research for later.
Keep a list of story ideas. Are you bubbling with ideas and worried you will forget them or find your self always skipping around or wasting time brainstorming every time you finally have time to actually write them down? I like to plan one of my writing sessions just for brainstorming and keep a list of topics I don’t want to forget. This means when it comes down to my writing time, I can choose one and get to writing. It has saved me a lot of time.
Use a treasured object as a writing prompt. In my book, Bridging Your Past adn Present, I devote a chapter to this. We all have special keepsakes with interesting stories behind them. Why not use these as the topic of your stories and share the stories behind them. I wrote about a crystal candy dish that is now filled with shells that had once nelonged to my Grandmother. My story for my boys is about my childhood memories of her filling the dish with mints at a table by the front door. My siblings and I would have it cleaned out by the end of the first day of our visit, but were careful to use the tiny spoon to scoop them.
Like a treasured object, a photo works wonderfully as a writing prompt. Not every picture will need to be a story, but using a snapshot from the past as a jumping off point can be powerful. You are able to give the behind the scenes on what can’t be seen in the picture. You can tell the rest of the story.
Another great simple place to get started writing your stories is by drawing out a timeline. Plot out main events you want to eventually share about, and then like the list, choose one at a time to expand upon. You don’t even need to write them in chronological order. And like the list your time line can be added to at any point.
So there are five of the tips I have handed out several times in just the last few months while talking to people about sharing their stories. I am pretty certain this is just part one of a series. Because as I love simplifying the process and helping you make progress.
I’d love to hear which ones work for you! Share below or message me on Instagram @melissaloveshistory with your favorite.