17 May 2011

SCGS Writers' Group: Voice and Point of View - May 22

We’re delighted that two of our members, Joyce Roberson and Barbara Randall were prize winners in the 2010 GENEii Contest. Congratulations to both!

We’ve been analyzing our tales, thinking about voice and point of view, i.e., who tells this tale? Whether you’re writing a short tale, a memoir, or a longer family history, a strong "pull-the-reader-in" beginning, a suspenseful middle and a powerful and satisfying ending are needed. A story needs a point. Find out what your point is.

Sharon DeBartolo Carmack (You Can Write Your Family History) writes: "Who thought a family history had to end when everyone in the story died? Or that it has to have a happy ending? You can conclude with a tragic event– tragedies stick with us longer, have more of an impact. Do you have a document you can quote from as an ending? Make documents work for the story, so they become powerful openings, middles, or endings... To write a compelling family history, craft your facts into a nonfiction narrative, using fiction techniques."

The SCGS Writers Group meets twice monthly. The next meeting is Sunday May 22 from 1-3 p.m. If you’d like to join us, the only requirement is membership in SCGS. Please e-mail me, jcs2007 at snowstarjean.com, to let me know you plan to attend.

(submitted on behalf of Jean Snow, SCGS Writer's Group)

There is still time to register for the 1-day SCGS Family History Writers Conference, June 9, 2011. For more information, please follow this link.

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