4th Grade Biography Writing

I had the distinct pleasure this week to conduct a Biography Writing Workshop for Mrs. McClymonds' 4th grade class. The class of 25 was attentive and very interested in the writing process, which was a wonderful experience.

The children knew more about writing genres than I expected, including the difference between fiction and non-fiction, biography and autobiography. They practiced asking each other some of the interview questions that I provided. They asked excellent questions about how to interview someone for their stories and even wanted to know if they can interview themselves. That might sound a bit unusual, but that is exactly how I help people write their own stories. The only difference is that they don't have to ask the questions out loud. ;-)

The goal before our second writing session was for each of the kids to interview an adult in their family circle (which includes all their friends and family) in person, write down their answers and be prepared to start writing a cohesive story about the person. After they write their stories, they will practice reading them aloud to themselves and to their small workgroups. On the final day, each of the students will present their story to the class and several visitors, then a few adults will judge their presentations for appropriate awards.

The part that I love about this process is getting the kids to think of their elders as "real people" instead of just "old people." Once they understand the concept of the interviewing process, they will be able to carry on a conversation with family members they don't really know.

There is one example that almost always captures their imagination. At a previous workshop, one young boy learned that his grandmother never saw a television until she was 10 years old. I asked them to imagine what they would do with all their time with no TV, no computers, no video games and no iPods.

One boy said he'd be bored to death. But another said he could play outside and a young girl said she could read. The important thing is to encourage children to use their imaginations and to write their own stories. In the process, they will hopefully have fun while they do it.

Events in Kankakee, IL

Don't miss these events in Kankakee, IL:

Saturday, April 18, 2009, from 10am-2pm
Kankakee Author Fair
For more information, call 815-939-4564 or see http://www.kankakee.lib.il.us/
I will have my new book hot off the presses available for purchase:
Granny's Guide to Fun & Fabulous Family Stories.

Saturday, May 2, 2009, from 10am-Noon
Join my workshop on Writing Family History
Fee is $25 per person and space is limited.
Call 815-935-2766.

SEE YOU SOON!

Teleclasses on Writing Family Stories

Upcoming Teleclasses

Please feel free to forward this announcement to anyone else who might be interested in family stories. To join our mailing list, please visit www.bethlamie.com.

All teleclasses are Eastern Time & last for 45-60 minutes

Dial-In numbers: 308-344-6400 Access: 300645#

Mon. 3/9/09 8:00 PM ET - What Are Family Stories?

Weds. 3/11/09 11:00 AM ET - Getting Started with Family Stories

Th. 3/19/09 4:00 PM ET - Encouraging Kids to Write Family Stories

Mon. 3/23/09 8:00 PM ET - Biography vs Autobiography

Weds. 3/25/09 11:00 AM ET - Handling Controversial Topics

Your participation is welcome!

Visit my website at www.bethlamie.com.

First Review of APH Anthology

Here is the first review for
MY WORDS ARE GONNA LINGER: THE ART OF PERSONAL HISTORY
on Story Circle Network:

"If you're a fan (as I am) of stories rooted in real life, you will very much enjoy this book. It would also make a delightful gift for the storytellers in your family—and might even give them a few valuable ideas (and some important motivation) for telling their own stories. And if you're a teacher of memoir, reminiscence, or personal history, it would make an excellent addition to your classroom teaching or to your students' reading list. Imaginatively conceived, thoughtfully arranged, and professionally edited and presented, *My Words Are Gonna Linger: The Art of Personal
History* will be a source of pleasure, information, and instruction."

~ Susan Wittig Albert, StoryCircleBookReviews.org

To read the review, visit
http://www.storycirclebookreviews.org/reviews/mywords.shtml

To read excerpts: http://www.personalhistorians.org/anthology_stories.php

To read tips: http://www.personalhistorians.org/anthology_tips.php

Family Stories - any time of year

The end of winter is a perfect time to capture some of your family stories. They will make wonderful gifts for your entire family and for generations to come.

During this next month, think about your experiences during the winter. Jot down notes about the holidays - who did you visit, what did you do, where did you go?

Consider writing about the weather - was there a snowstorm in the Midwest, fluke snow in South Carolina, heavy ice that broke trees and power lines?

Write a few paragraphs about what you experienced, then be sure to share that wonderful bit of wisdom with your family.

Show your love by taking the time to record your family history!

To join our mailing list, please visit www.bethlamie.com

Achieving Your Dreams with Wishcraft

I have been blessed by personally meeting and following Barbara Sher, who is the author of many books, including Wishcraft, How to Get What You Really Want. She wrote it 30 years ago and the publisher is issuing a 30th Anniversary version on March 24, 2009.

Too often, we don't even know exactly what it is that we really want. For me, it was to get out of the corporate environment and accomplish something. But what? As Fate would have it, I got laid off from IBM about 18 months ago. My first reaction was to be scared to death. After more than 30 years in data processing, all of a sudden I lost my identity as well as my income.

Fortunately, I dug out Barbara's Wishcraft and immediately started deciding what I wanted and how to get there. Once I identified my repressed goal of becoming a writer, the rest was (almost!) easy. For me, the chapter on creating a backward flowchart was a lifesaver. It helped me figure out exactly how to get the credentials I needed, first by taking writing classes at the University of Chicago, then by blogging and building a web presence, and finally by writing a book.

Could I have done the same things without Wishcraft? Probably. But it would have taken much longer and it would have been much more difficult. Thank Goodness for Barbara Sher and Wishcraft. Happy Anniversary!

Stories that Matter

I decided to start this blog so that other people could learn from the mistakes I made over and over throughout my life. I spent considerable time with my maternal grandparents while I was growing up and again later as a young adult. My regret is that I never asked them questions that really mattered. I have the same regrets regarding my parents as well and now it is too late.

If I can help a single person understand the importance of recording their personal or family stories, or those of their ancestors and loved ones, then my omissions will not have been in vain. Even better, if I can make the process of gathering those stories both fun and painless, then that is icing on the cake.

Everyone has an interesting story to share. Anyone can write their own stories when given some guidance and help. Some people may need friends or family to write for them. Some people may not have stories about family members, but they have close friends who have shared wonderful times. All of these stories are important to record and to share with other people.

And my goal is to make that process fun and fabulous!

Like many people, I didn’t write down stories about my parents and grandparents when I was younger. Now that they are gone, I regret not asking them the questions that really mattered. If I can help a single person understand the importance of recording their personal or family stories, or those of their ancestors and loved ones, then my omissions will not have been in vain. Even better, if I can make the process of gathering those stories both fun and painless, then that is icing on the cake.