How to Write a Compelling Family History Story

The secret to success when writing a family history is this: have a compelling story to tell, and tell it well! Of course, there are many other things you must take into consideration, but these are the two crucial components. You can still write a family history without them, but it will lack intrigue and excitement. Your family saga will fall flat and fail to engage your readers.

If you want to write a family history that others will find fascinating, the first thing you need to do is decide what makes your family unique. What is the story you want to tell? What's your hook? It's safe to say that every family has at least one good tale to tell--a compelling story that will be of interest to more than just your immediate family. If you're lucky, you'll know right away what that story is and can proceed with writing a family history. If not, then it's time to do some digging into the past.

You'll want to interview all of your family members, starting with the oldest. The depth of information they have about your family history may surprise you. Take a tape recorder along so you can focus on listening in the moment, without having to stop and scribble everything down. Be prepared with some questions you want to ask, but also be open to letting them tell you what they remember. Each person's perspective and experiences will be unique, and in the discovery phase it's important to gather as much information as you can before you sit down to write a family history.

If you want to trace your family roots back farther than the oldest living relatives, you can work up a genealogy chart using the internet. My cousin traced our family tree back as far as the emperor Charlemagne, aka Charles the Great, who ruled from 768-814 A.D. I must confess I don't know how to do a genealogy chart, but a search of the internet or reference desk at the library would be a good place to start.

One you have all the information you think you'll need to write a family history, and you've decided what your compelling story is, it's time to get down to the business of writing it. If you're a writer and you feel confident in your ability to recount your family story, all the better. If you have doubts that your writing skills are not where they need to be to tackle this project, there are two things you can do.

I have seen many writing courses offered that deal with writing a family history or memoirs. If you live in a nice size city, there's a very good chance one will be offered near you at the community college or adult education center. If you can't find a course specifically geared to writing a family history, consider taking one for short stories or writing in general.

You should also look for a writer's group in your area, which is a good way to get feedback on your work as it progresses. As a last resort, there are many internet-based writing courses you can take to strengthen your skills. These typically don't provide the same level of feedback and camaraderie that comes from an in-person writing class or writer's group, but they will help you improve your writing skills.

When your manuscript is finally finished, set it aside for at least a month, so that you can review it with fresh eyes. Pat yourself on the back for completing this monumental project, and celebrate with your family, the inspiration for this compelling story that you worked so hard to create.