When Should You Start Writing Legacy Stories?

One of the most often asked questions. The answer is when you are still young enough to remember them. That could be now or ten years from now. By the time you reach the age of most Baby Boomers, the time is now. Ask yourself, what do you most remember about your grandfather. If you had two, pick one then the other. Write down something that comes to mind. A memory, something he taught you, just write it down. You can come back and fill in later. Do the same thing for your grandmothers. Then do it for your parents. Get the ideas down.

Once you have your ideas, then the real work begins because you have to bring them to life for your grandchildren. They may not have known your parents or grandparents. You have to make them more than just old black and white photos.

You do that by describing them, how did they look to you? How did they make you feel? How did they treat others? Did they go to church on Sundays? What did they do for a living? Did you grow up on a farm? What made them special to you. Think about the memory or story you wrote to begin with. Take yourself back to that day, what was the day like? Where were you? How did the story unfold?

Once you have done this you should actually have a few sentences. Now go back again to the memory. What sounds did you hear? What did it smell like? Add those to your story. See how your story is growing?

Read through what you have? Can you picture this in your mind? Can you see pictures next to the words? Is there a point to the story? Did you learn something that day or was it just a good time with your grandparent? Think out the how the story goes and where it it ends. Will a child get some meaning out of it when you read it to them?

The other thing to remember is when you were growing up you might have cut a willow branch or a piece of cane for a fishing pole. Kids today have fishing poles. They don't have a concept to fishing with a cane pole. They don't know about digging up worms for bait. Kids today have all the latest technology and none of the stuff you or someone who loved you made for you. You want to take your grandchildren with you on whatever adventure this memory takes you on.

When you are finished with the writing it can be formatted to include photos or AI created photos, or drawings if you know someone who can do the drawings. It can be bound in a book or put in spiral form. Then you have the perfect gift. A book that is a great story and tells them about their family history.

It's simple to start, just do the following:

1. Jot down a memory about a family member.
2. Describe the family member.
3. Tell what happened in the memory.
4. Add sights, smells, sounds, and your feelings at the time.
5. Make sure the story has a solid ending.
6. Get it illustrated and bound.
7. Enjoy reading it to your grandchildren.

If you are looking to write a legacy story or multiple stories. You can contact me here on LinkedIn, set up a 30 minute call: https://calendly.com/rebeckavigus/30min find me at https://www.rebeckavigus.com or [email protected]

#legacywriting #childrensstories #gettingstarted Photo by Ideogram and my brain.