You might approach writing with a mixture of caution, excitement and dread. On one hand, you look forward to sharing sweeping tales about your ancestors, the journeys they’ve taken, and the triumphs and trials they’ve faced.
On the other hand, though, writing can be downright hard. The pen (or, in our digital world, the laptop or other electronic device) may be mightier than the sword. But when you struggle to find the right words to describe a person who means a great deal to you, the pen might feel like little more than a blunt stick.
In fact, because family stories are so personal, writing about them can be harder than writing about something more scientific or technical. You may know more about Grandma Ethel and her childhood than anyone else—but you might know so much that you fear you will gloss over something important.
Every time you sit down to write about her, nagging thoughts arise: What if I’m not doing her story justice? What if I’m leaving out important details or homing in on the wrong details? What if I’m just not the writer for the job?
Fortunately, writing doesn’t have to feel like a long, uncertain battle. You can
