The Show versus Tell is important. I would also add —get away from the passive verbs. I walk away from most writing after the word “were” is used multiple times in a single paragraph. And I follow Stephen King’s advice regarding -ly words. Do not use them!
Thanks, @Denyse! Finding our voice and confidence as writers can be a challenge, but all those things can help so much. Knowing when to show and when to tell, how to match a structure with a story, and both to a specific reader, when to be specific and when to trust the reader to connect the dots come from practice, trial and error and honest assessment.
Regarding point #5: I love using the nickname for storytelling. It’s what people in their lives called them at the time. And Willie or Lizzie or Bubba is so much more memorable and colorful.
Is the writing group you belong to Chronicle Makers? Or something else? I have been writing a family history blog for 5 years now, and I enjoy writing. But I don't know how to improve it because I never get any feedback aside from seeing which posts have the most views. Even when people tell me they like it, I don't know why. I would really like to belong to a writer's group so I can improve my writing and hopefully publish something. Can you advise me on a writing group to join? Thank you.
Hi Denyse, I start writing just as we do in research - with what you know. In family history I then work forwards or backwards depending on the established starting point; I interweave local and historical narratives relevant to each part of the writing. Hope that helps
The Show versus Tell is important. I would also add —get away from the passive verbs. I walk away from most writing after the word “were” is used multiple times in a single paragraph. And I follow Stephen King’s advice regarding -ly words. Do not use them!
Totally agree. The most controversial note I sent on Substack was against -ly words. Think I offended some people but they need to go.
Thanks, @Denyse! Finding our voice and confidence as writers can be a challenge, but all those things can help so much. Knowing when to show and when to tell, how to match a structure with a story, and both to a specific reader, when to be specific and when to trust the reader to connect the dots come from practice, trial and error and honest assessment.
Great job of laying all that out to us!
Regarding point #5: I love using the nickname for storytelling. It’s what people in their lives called them at the time. And Willie or Lizzie or Bubba is so much more memorable and colorful.
So true!
Denyse, Another great post!
Is the writing group you belong to Chronicle Makers? Or something else? I have been writing a family history blog for 5 years now, and I enjoy writing. But I don't know how to improve it because I never get any feedback aside from seeing which posts have the most views. Even when people tell me they like it, I don't know why. I would really like to belong to a writer's group so I can improve my writing and hopefully publish something. Can you advise me on a writing group to join? Thank you.
Let me send out a survey to my subscribers and see who else is interested in forming a writing group.
Thank you Denyse, I totally agree and this has helped to validate my method
I’d love to learn more about your method! Where’s the best place to start?
Hi Denyse, I start writing just as we do in research - with what you know. In family history I then work forwards or backwards depending on the established starting point; I interweave local and historical narratives relevant to each part of the writing. Hope that helps
I'm guilty of all five. Guess I have some work to do.
LOL
As always, excellent advice!