Editor, Proofreader, Writing Coach
You’ve probably had one of those days when it seemed like everything went crazy.
Maybe you were trying to get something done and nothing went right.
Perhaps unusual things were popping up left and right.
Or you just felt surrounded by chaos.
Maybe it was a hard time, or it might have felt comical.
Even in the craziest days, we sometimes find peace, wisdom, direction, or a new outlook.
Continue reading “Writing Prompt: When Everything Went Crazy”Writing about your memories is such a blessing for your family and future generations. Whether you’re writing a memoir, life story, annotated photo essays, or a blog, your stories will be meaningful. But where do you start? How do you capture highlights of a life in 100 or so book pages or blog posts?
Continue reading “Questions Can Prompt Life Story Memories”If you’re writing a family history, life story, memoir, or any kind of legacy writing, you might wonder, Will anyone want to read this? I have asked that question too.
But I also know the answer is a resounding yes. How can I be so sure? Because I would love to read anything written by my ancestors. I wish technology had made it possible for them to record their thoughts and insights into their daily lives.
Whenever I find any glimpse into their lives, I am so grateful. Recently, I was delighted to find a newspaper article from March 1924. This article was a gift in so many ways, and I’m so glad the story was preserved.
The news story described a wedding in which many of my family members participated. My grandmother, 25 at the time, played the opening and closing wedding marches on the piano and sang two solos. That alone was amazing to me. I knew she played piano (in silent movie theaters, in a band, and in church), but I never knew she sang. The article shared the names of the pieces she sang and played in the wedding.
As if that weren’t enough of a treasure, the article had more discoveries waiting for me. One of the bridesmaids and the host of the bridal shower was my great aunt Orilla. I never met Orilla, but through Ancestry research, I’ve learned we have a lot in common, including overseas travel for missions.
It amazed me to see that Orilla, who I never met, attended a wedding with my grandmother. They interacted with each other. Knew each other well. That might seem obvious, considering that two months after this wedding, my grandmother would marry Orilla’s brother. But it brought a new kind of awareness for me. When I was a child, my grandmother never told me about that side of the family. Would my grandmother have imagined I would turn out to be so much like Orilla?
The article went on to say that my soon-to-be grandfather and his parents were there—parents of whom I have portrait photos but nothing more. And his nephew, four years old, rode his toy car at the bridal shower, pulling a box of gifts. I could picture this little boy, probably grinning from ear to ear, making his entrance at the bridal shower. Until now, that little boy had just been a name in my Ancestry family tree.
The best was yet to come. I was surprised to read in the article that the eight-year-old usher and ring bearer was my great uncle Ruehl. He was very involved in our family life during my growing-up years. So I remember him as a witty, friendly, older man who was always very kind to me. To picture him as a little ring bearer and usher gave me a glimpse into his childhood.
The entire news story changed the people I knew from old to young. And the people I never met changed from names on a family tree into real people living their life together.
I loved finding and reading that news story. I was so grateful for that gift of getting a glimpse into their lives. To see how they knew each other and interacted together. What a blessing.
When you write a family history, life story, memoir, or any kind of legacy writing, that’s exactly the kind of blessing you’re creating for future family members. They will love reading what you share. They will feel a great sense of belonging and family history. And they will feel like they know you a little better, even if they’ve never met you.
Free writing is a great way to practice writing from your heart. It’s a way to keep your inner editor quiet. To enjoy the creativity of writing.
Free writing is just putting pen to paper and writing whatever is on your heart, without hindering yourself. You can go in circles, shift gears, change directions. No restrictions. Just write.
Spring is a great time for free writing. Whether you’re sitting outdoors or observing through a window, you’ll find lots of inspiration in the beauty of spring.
You can describe colors, feelings, textures, sounds, memories. Whatever you feel inspired to write. Don’t edit, don’t delete, don’t put pressure on yourself. Just write.
Our writing prompt for this month: What I love most about spring is …
You can start with that prompt, if it helps, or create your own prompt. You can write about spring or something else.
Don’t overthink it. That’s why prompts can be helpful. You start by writing those first words, and then see where it takes you.
When you’re ready, set your timer for 15 minutes. Start by writing, What I love most about spring is … And then just keep writing till the timer goes off.
As a writer, your creativity will benefit by writing from your heart without self-editing. And your inspiration will grow as you spend time focusing on the beauty of spring.
At some point, every writer struggles with this question: Does my book really matter? Writing a book is a big thing. It takes time, effort, vulnerability, a willingness to share your voice and insights with others. It’s understandable and very common to suddenly wonder: Why am I doing this? Does it even matter?
First, let me assure you, it does matter. Your book matters. Your story matters. You matter. What you’re writing will make a difference for someone at the time when they need it most.
Continue reading “Does My Book Really Matter?”Folks often hesitate to write a book because they think their story doesn’t have enough trauma. They worry their story will be boring or meaningless without that dramatic hook.
But a gentle or peaceful book can really hit home with readers who experience plenty of trauma in daily life. What a breath of fresh air to have a story that helps them breathe, redirect, find their way to peace.
Not to say that a book about trauma doesn’t lead readers to peace. It can, and it should. But a gentle story can do the same. The key to an engaging book is not dramatic moments. It’s direction. Know where you’re taking your reader, and guide them along that path of discovery.
Continue reading “Your Story Is Allowed to Be Gentle”Has this ever happened to you? You’re working on a writing project, maybe a book or a blog. You know what you want to write next. But you can’t seem to fit it into your schedule. Life keeps happening.
That’s okay. You can still move your project forward: by thinking about what you’re going to write.
Continue reading “When You Know What You Want to Write But Can’t Get to It”Spring is a season of change, the beginning of new things. How often do we go through changes without realizing something new is starting?
Can you look back at a time when you were becoming someone new? But you didn’t realize it then?
Continue reading “Writing Prompt: I Didn’t Know It Was the Beginning”You sit down to write your book. Instead of words flowing, questions pop up. When did that happen? What led to that event? Where was that located? Who might remember the details? Where can I find answers?
Soon, you might feel that your writing progress has stopped, and the need for Q&A has taken over. But questions are part of the writing process. They don’t signal your project is on hold. Questions let you know your writing is moving ahead.
Continue reading “Why Questions Are Part of the Writing Process”Imagine speaking to a room filled with people. Now imagine sitting across the table from one person, enjoying a conversation over coffee. Which one feels easier?
If you said the one-on-one conversation feels easier, you’re not alone. Many people would prefer that. Especially if you have something important to share that you think will help that person.
In a crowded room, you have no idea how, or even if your message is landing with everyone. But when you talk to just one person, you can tailor your message to them.
That’s a helpful analogy to keep in mind as you sit down to write your book, blog, stories. It’s easiest when you focus on just one reader.
Continue reading “The Power of Writing for One Reader”
Janet Eriksson 