The amazing growth in technology - especially the speed of the internet - has
enabled more and more people to research their family history, no matter which
side of the world they come from. However, turning the information into a
well-documented and attractive book is another matter entirely.
'Writing Your Family History', by respected New Zealand author Joan
Rosier-Jones, takes the reader through the process of building on the materials
available to create a highly readable and accurate history. She cites a wide
range of effective examples, as well as offering a wealth of practical
information that will help keen amateur genealogists to produce impressive
results.
Contents include useful contacts for research enquiries; shaping a family
history; writing with panache; using correct grammar and punctuation; dealing
with writer's block; and how to produce and distribute a privately published
book.
Contents:
Introduction
1. Getting started
2. Widening the search
3. Dancing in the mirror
4. Clustering
5. Deadlines
6. Writers' groups - do you need one?
7. Background research
8. Telling a thousand words
9. The writing process
10. Back to basics
11. More elements of clarity
12. Narrative drive
13. Four devices to make your story sing
14. Halfway blues
15. Editing techniques and exercises
16. Presentation
17. Production
18. Distribution
Appendix A. List of useful websites
Appendix B. Useful addresses
Appendix C. Examples
Recommended reading
Bibliography
