Find Your Story in 5 Easy Places

Genre: Nonfiction — writing history 

For beginning or seasoned writers

ISSUE TWO: Find Your Story in Five Easy Places

Every person, every place has a history. You can most easily find your story from listening and talking to family members. Recollections from people who lived in times we’ve just read about–like World War II–bring human passion, despair, fear, and hope to what were once battle names and casualty statistics.

If you don’t have an individual in mind to interview, check with the local historical society for copies of old newspaper reports, oral histories, letters, or diaries from the era you have chosen to cover. Ask to see their photograph file about your subject. Here are five topics that may have affected the people, economics, or future of your hometown:

Based on Write History Right by M. H. Collins, copyright 2007, CHS Publishing Company.

1. Natural phenomenon: earthquake, flood, fires, hurricane, tornado, or drought
2. Famous or infamous people: writers, actors, heroes, educators, religious leaders, criminals, politicians, community leaders
3. Institutions: early schools, influx of different customs or religions to your area, effects of technology, fluctuations in political power
4. Sports: horseracing, boating, baseball, or a local famous sports figure
5. Transportation: stagecoach, riverboats, trains, cars, airplanes

(Issue Three: Organize Your Book)

Based on the upcoming Write History Right by M. H. Collins, © 2007, CHS Publishing Company

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