Guest Post by Terri Giulano Long - An Ode to Bloggers

Last May, a month or so after I began marketing my novel, In Leah’s Wake, a former agent told me that I would never sell 500 books. A rookie, I had no idea what to expect. When I published the novel, I’d dreamed of selling a 3,000 – 5,000 books, hoping healthy sales numbers would attract the attention of an agent or traditional publishing house for my next novel.

The agent had left New York, but she’d been in the business for a long time, and her words stung. I hung up the phone, heartbroken, depressed. Had I not been in the midst of my first blog tour, I might have pulled my novel off the market that day.

Determined to see the tour through, I soldiered on.  On the tour, I met wonderful, caring people, book bloggers, whose kindness buoyed and sustained me.  

Over the next few months, In Leah’s Wake appeared on hundreds of blogs. Bloggers opened their hearts and spread the word about this quiet literary novel. In August, In Leah’s Wake hit the Barnes & Noble and Amazon charts. Now, seven months after my talk with that agent, the book has been in the Amazon top 200 for over five months, and we’ve sold just shy of 80,000 copies.

Book bloggers rock! I don’t know how to say it any better. Book bloggers are the fairy godmothers and godfathers of the literary world. They invest their talent, their energy, and their time into reviewing and promoting books – and keeping dreams alive.

Even today, traditional media refuse to recognize or review indie books. In this very real sense, book bloggers are the heart and soul of the indie revolution.  Their vision, their energy, and their determination have enabled this amazing populist movement to take hold.

Today, we have the great good fortune of hearing the funny, poignant, intelligent voices of new authors from around the world - voices that, just a few years ago, might have been silenced by the gatekeepers of the old guard. These voices reach into hearts and minds, forging connections, uniting us in a community of readers and writers, searching for and finding, through words, the better part of ourselves. Because, truly, at heart, this is what reading and writing is all about.

Here’s to you, book bloggers! You are and always will be my heroes!

AUTHOR BIO
Terri Giuliano Long is the bestselling author of the award-winning novel In Leah’s Wake. Her life outside of books is devoted to her family. In her free time, she enjoys walking, traveling, and listening to music. True to her Italian-American heritage, she’s an enthusiastic cook. In an alternate reality, she might be an international food writer. She lives with her family on the East Coast and teaches at Boston College. In Leah’s Wake is her debut novel.

Website: www.tglong.com
Blog: www.tglong.com/blog
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tglong
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/tglongwrites

This week, Terri and Inspired Quill Press (paperback edition), launch a newly edited edition of In Leah’s Wake. The newly edited novel features a new chapter and several new scenes, adding new connections and insights, and tightens the book, cutting 60 pages – all while maintaining the integrity of the original edition.

For more information, please visit her website or any of these retailer sales. (Your local library or bookstore can also order the book through major distribution channels.)

Amazon Kindle (US)
Amazon Paperback (US)
Amazon Kindle (UK)
Amazon Paperback (UK)
Barnes & Noble
Indie Bound:

BOOK INFORMATION

IN LEAH’S WAKE
Terri Giuliano Long
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback, Kindle
ISBN: 1456310542
Publisher: CreateSpace/Inspired Quill Press
Website: www.tglong.com

***Newly edited by Sara-Jayne Slack, Inspired Quill Press***

The Tylers have a perfect life—beautiful home, established careers, two sweet and talented daughters. Their eldest daughter, Leah, an exceptional soccer player, is on track for a prestigious scholarship. Their youngest, Justine—more responsible than seems possible for her 12 years—just wants her sister’s approval. With Leah nearing the end of high school and Justine a seemingly “together” kid, the parents are set to enjoy a peaceful life…until everything goes wrong. Can this family survive in Leah’s wake? 

Margot Livesey, award-winning author of Banishing Verona, calls In Leah's Wake "a beautifully written and absorbing novel." 

When happens when love just isn't enough?

Recipient of the CTRR Award for excellence
2011 Book Bundlz Book Pick
Book Bundlz 2011 Favorites, First Place

Praise for In Leah’s Wake

"Sometimes scary, sometimes sad, and always tender."

Susan Straight, National Book Award finalist, author Take One Candle Light A Room

"In Leah's Wake is a beautifully written and absorbing novel."

Margot Livesey, Award-winning author of Banishing Verona

“Pulled me right along as I continued to make comparisons to my own life.”

Jennifer Donovan, 5 Minutes for Books, Top 50 Book Blog

“An incredibly strong debut, this book is fantastic on many fronts.”

Naomi Blackburn, Founder Sisterhood of the Traveling Book

Thyroid Literary Challenge - Words of Encouragement

Understanding, Knowledge, Share and Experience

When I was first diagnosed with a thyroid condition 20 years ago I wanted to gain as much knowledge as I could. Knowledge that would develop my understanding about the condition and enable me to share what I had learnt. 

The experience of being diagnosed, the experience of knowing that some doctors and consultants believed only the blood results rather than the patient in front of them. Trying to explain to others why I felt so ill and yet not knowing in what way. Coping with the feeling of despair that I had felt in those early days.

Having gained the knowledge and understanding it gave me the courage to share my experiences.  More importantly, it gave me the strength to challenge and question. This is my life and I can only live it once.

Taking part in the DearThyroid Literary Challenge.

NaBloPoMo - February 2012 Getting Ready - Relative!

The February theme for NaBloPoMo is the word RELATIVE. Now that is a word a genealogist can hardly ignore. Shame it is February though, as I am already taking part in a challenge; The Family History Writing Challenge. However, I can see a possible opportunity here and so, for as long as my energy and brain power holds up, I am going to contribute to this as well. 

You can sign up HERE (by 5th Feb if you want to be included in the blog roll).

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Week 4 - Free Offline Genealogy Tools

Week 4- Free Offline Genealogy Tools - Which free offline genealogy tools are you most thankful for? How has it helped your family history experience? How did you find this tool and how has it benefited your genealogy? Describe to others how to access this tool and spread the genealogy love.

Challenge from Sunday 22nd January 2012 - Saturday 29th January 2012

The simple answer to this is I don't know. 

I started researching my family before the power of the Internet. In the days when joining a family history society was the norm and you submitted your research interests into the quarterly journal and hoped someone wrote you a letter. That is right, a letter, involving paper, ink and stamps. 20 odd years later and I still have every single letter written to me about a family history line. 

Sometimes we hit the jackpot and a connection was made, other times there was no connection made and on some occasions there was no genealogical connection, but a friendship formed. Some of those early friendships I still have and treasure. 

So I am thankful for two things here -  the friendships that formed, in some cases across many miles. I am also thankfully that I learnt to research the old fashioned way by heading to archives and looking at original documents. There is something truly wonderful about seeing the name of a relative in print, on a old piece of parchment or alike and knowing that this was written when probably my ancestor was standing as close to the paper as I am now

I can reminisce of going to St Catherine's House in London and pulling the huge indexes containing the birth, marriage and death books from the shelves. Fighting for space as you searched for the reference you were looking for. Hearing the odd should of "I've got him!" They were different research times to now. In comparison the internet has reduced the size of the world to a matchbox and letters which plopped through the letterbox having travelled many miles over days can be in an inbox in seconds. 

I am thankful to my family, many since deceased who shared their knowledge with me as I explored their past and probed away asking question after question. I loved to visit my Great Aunts. I had grown up doing it, so as an adult I continued. They shared so much with me quite without question. Leaving me to explore our family. A life long obsession.

Weekend Cooking - Beef Casserole

Last weekend, I had some cubed casserole steak in the fridge. I hadn't made any plans on what to cook and then had a vision of warm, thickish gravy!

I cut up two carrots and a few mushrooms added them to a pan with only a smidge of Olive oil and on a high heat to get some juices flowing! I could have added onion, but gave it a miss as it seems to upset my digestive system!

I then added the steak. What I had bought was already cubed, but I cut up into smaller chunks and added it to the pan. I left the heat high to brown and get some extra juices.

Then I added some gravy granules - about a tablespoonful, mixed in and turned the heat down to a number 2 (electric). I added about two fluid ounces of water.

Served with mashed, buttery potato. Cooking time was about an hour on the hob on a low heat.

Weekend Cooking is hosted by BethFishReads

100 Word Challenge - Week 28

Joining the weekly 100 words challenge for Grown ups. This week the prompt is to use the following with no more than 100 words

.......you bought her what.....

Fuming, she stood in the departure lounge awaiting confirmation of her flight. She pulled out her well used phone and made the call. 

After a few pleasantries, she asked what did you buy her? Then, the almost screech as she said, loudly, you bought her what? 

Her face turned a funny colour of anger, a mixture of white and red. Would the dreadful passenger explode wondered the airport staff? 

Why on earth did you buy her that was the response? 

How ridiculous...

How could you buy something so frivolous? 

What do you mean, because she wanted it…..

We’ll see about that

Taking part in the 100 word Challenge for Grown Ups – Week #28

Sepia Saturday 110 - In the Movies.....

This story and the photograph have a tentative connection to the theatre.

Second lady from the left is Lesley Ramage with her father John.
Lady on the far right is Nehru's sister.
Taken Bombay 1957. Lady on the far left is called Jane.

The original of the photograph is with my mother in law. Almost 20 years ago my father in law showed us a huge set of photographs. At the time we videoed them. Then in the Autumn of 2010 I transferred the video to DVD. The transfer appeared to have been successful and in further experimentation mode I played the DVD on my laptop and took a photo from the screen. This is one of those photographs.

Lesley Ramage is the first cousin of my late father in law. She had a career as an actress. I have no further details on her career or her stage name. 

Taking part in Sepia Saturday

Beyond the Internet Week 2: Ancestral homes and their history

One part of my family owned a great deal of property. Some was passed down through lines of direct descent, others through childless Aunts and Uncles. Nonetheless, the family had property and that means that somewhere there will be some documentary evidence, which is good news for a researcher.

The Butcher family were well known in Surrey. My several times Great Grandfather Daniel Butcher owned with his brother Richard a property in Guildford High Street that traded as a pub called The Nags Head. The building still exists, no longer a pub, but trades as a retail shop. There is much more research to be done on this part of the family and specifically the building that was owned by the family. Other documentation reveals that a branch of the family owned a farm called Scotlands which is in the village of Bramley, about 5 miles from Guildford.  Ironically, about 20 years ago I knew the lady who owned and farmed at the same farm. Whilst I knew her, I didn't like to be too familiar and ask her to look a the deeds. With hindsight, I wish I had!

Moving onto more recent times. My Grandmother was born in a specific road in Guildford. After her parents died my Grandmother went to live with her older sister. After she married in 1939 her and my Grandfather rented a property in Guildford and in 1940 they returned to the road of my Grandmother's birth where they spent the rest of their lives. I have the rent books from 1940 up until the mid 1990s. This particular road has been a source of interest to me and I now have a small archive of documents relating to it.

About 16 years ago my husband and I met up with a distant Australian cousin of mine. She and her husband were on a research and holiday to the UK and naturally she wanted to visit the rural parish were out Ellis family originated. My branch of the family moved two miles to Puttenham, the village that is the subject of my One Place Study, and her family migrated in the mid 1850s to Geelong Victoria. We managed to locate the address of Church Street and was standing outside the house that her family had lived in. We decided to ring the bell and speak to the occupier. Now, there is nothing like having an accent and asking to take photos, its a bit like it okay to say hello to strangers if you are walking a dog, if there is no dog and you say hello it seems odd! So, we rang the bell and waited. We had just thought that no one was home when the door was answered by a very elderly lady. We explained who we were and our quest and mentioned the photo. Next thing the door was opened and we were invited in. The lady had lived there with her husband and was at the time widowed, of course, I expect that she has since passed away, but she allowed us to take photos of the inside and outside of her house and we snapped away, including one of the then occupant. I do have a photo or two of the events of that day, but they are tucked away in the study and a rather large box of files - a result of the filing process of another blog post and I can not reach them!

In the absence of having photographs taken at the time of our ancestral links to a particular parish, the next best thing is postcards produced at the time. Over the last 20 odd years I have collated an archive of the parishes around the Guildford area that perhaps have specific reference to my ancestry. I launched a small project, for my own amusement last October, whereby I share a postcard a day. You can see them HERE

This postcard is one of my favourites. It shows the Church where I was christened, as was my Mother and maternal Grandmother. This same Church is also where several of my Aunts married in the 1930s.

Postcard from my Guildford and District Collection

Blog theme Inspired by Family History Across the Sea

Postcard Friendship Friday - Shere, Surrey

Shere is located in Surrey England and is a very pretty (and expensive) location. Well known for appearing in several films. A branch of my own family resided in the village, although that was about 250 years before this postcard was produced.

Features as part of my Guildford and District Collection

Submitted as part of Postcard Friendship Friday hosted by The Best Hearts are Crunchy 

Australia Day 2012 – Wealth for Toil

26th January 2012

The Australia Day post is once again coordinated by Twigs of Yore. For details on how to participate click HERE.

John Hunt Butcher was born in Hascombe in rural Surrey in 1781. In 1808 in London, he married Sarah Burchell and they raised a family of four children, one daughter Sarah born in 1805 died in 1810. I had never pursued this line specifically, as I descended from the brother of John's Grandfather, Daniel Butcher. The name of Butcher is fairly common in my bit of Surrey and the family lines complex with wills and property. At some point there is a falling out between Daniel and his brother Richard from whom John Hunt Butcher descends. I knew at some point I would come back to John and for a little more than 15 years I didn't focus on this line. That is until two things happened....

The first was I went search The National Archive catalogue on line for the name of John Butcher. Quite without thinking I typed John Hunt Butcher. I was just about to hit the delete button when I glanced at the screen and saw a reference to Australia. I am sure that everything stopped around me. It was one of those moments when I had to pinch yourself to be sure of what you were reading. All researchers know that feeling....don't you?

So I shelved the research for John Butcher and focused on this John Hunt Butcher. What I read, made my head spin. The Butcher family had always held property and land. There are numerous documents in the Surrey Records Centre for property being purchased jointly between Richard Butcher and my several times Great Grandfather Daniel Butcher. Sometimes they sold the property, sometimes they sold to each other. It all gets very complicated. Some of the names I was reading both in terms of names of individuals and names of property were known to me. This was definitely my family, although not my direct line of descent. The documents in question seem to provide details of property and money between various people who descended from the Butcher family. I made a note of the extra details, even from the catalogue it provided some extra data, but there is still a need for the original documents to be sighted and copies purchased. I sat and wrote a long list.

I then turned to the biggest statement and question, followed by another question and then another. John Hunt Butcher migrated to Australia, where, when, why. My brain thought it was going to explode, and my poor hand could not write fast enough. The documents directed me to Lowlands near Richmond Van Dieman's Land (Tasmania). A search of The State Library of Tasmania directed me to a painting of Lowlands by Mary Allport (Allport Collection).

There was something very peaceful about the picture. It reminded me of early pictures that I had seen of the family home in Hascombe, called Park Hatch. How did he acquire the land?

The Colonial Secretary index revealed that the data had been transcribed as William Butcher, but does indicated that John Hunt Butcher was given 2,000 acres on 16th June 1824. Which probably explains where Lowlands was built; and it was probably built with a reminiscence of his home in Hascombe.

The second thing that happened, did so just before Christmas. I saw a posting on one of the Australian Rootsweb mailing lists. Did anyone descend from John Hunt Butcher? I emailed the enquirer. Whilst they did not descend from the line, there was an association between the researcher's family and wife of John Hunt Butcher, Sarah Burchell, who it would appear was the sister of William John Burchell, a well known Botanist. A further glance at the family tree reminded me that John Hunt's sister, Suskey had married a George Matthew Burchell who in turn was Sarah's brother. Was the Burchell's the reason for John Hunt applying for a land grant? It would appear that another brother of George Burchell's, Charles had applied for one in 1821, but had stopped in South Africa en route to see his brother William John and decided to stay there.

My research for this line is continuing and is very much a work in progress. I want to have a real understanding as to why John left England. What happened to his family once he was in Australia? From early research it appears that John himself was a Magistrate and at some point a branch of his family moves across to Western Australia. I am a long way, both in terms of understanding and research and in geographical terms. My quest is to get as much basic research done prior to my Australia trip later this year. 

Guest Post at Cozy in Texas

Anne at Cozy in Texas invited me to be a guest on her blog today.
You can read my Guest Post HERE

Tea Cup Tuesday - Total Eclipse August 1999

In my kitchen breakfast room I have a couple of beams. I can't recall exactly when, but at some point in the past we had hooks placed into the beams and then I have hung mugs and cups from them. So, over the coming weeks I will share with you those mugs.

The following is a commemorative mug, made locally to celebrate the Total Eclipse in August 1999. I can't remember where I purchased this, probably a local shop, long since closed. I do remember that I had had surgery about two weeks before and I had been very ill afterwards. I was trying very hard to be well enough to be discharged in order that I could view the Eclipse. As it happened I was discharged the day before. Hubby had to be encouraged to drive me to the sea front where we did manage to grab a reasonable spot and view. It was quite a peculiar feeling. The entire town became, almost a deathly quiet as everyone waited with anticipation of the sky getting darker and darker and darker. Then almost in a flash, started to get lighter and lighter. Quiet remarkable.

Taking part in Tea Cup Tuesday hosted by Artful Affirmations & Martha's Favourites

21st Century Organised Family Historian - Week 4 - Set up a Work Area

Continuing the weekly theme organised by Michelle at The Turning of Generations.

I am very lucky. I have a whole room designated to my obsessions! The 4th bedroom in the house is at the top of the house. From this room we can access the attic area. The only problem is that there is not a huge amount of natural light, due to the design of the house.

This room houses all my genealogical material, photograph archive and most of my books, although I do actually have books in pretty much all the rooms, with the exception of the room my Mum uses when she comes to stay. There are also two huge filing cabinets, which contain most of the genealogical material, although the table which sits in front of the window in my study currently has a series of folders that I am currently clearing through. Incidentally, the table was my Grandmother's so I quite like to sit there and work. 

In my room there are two main work areas. My desk is actually a large table and houses my main desktop, our printer, scanner and copier and usually my laptop and telephone. Grandmother's table which is in front of the window I tend to use for my iPad with keyboard, or perhaps laptop if I don't need to be connected to the power source, or I can clear the table completely and use it for sorting, filing and being creative.

I would post a photograph or two, but not until I have reduced the chaos of books, files and papers to a more  organised feature! A former boss once told me that there were filer's and piler's. Guess what I am!

Sunday Salon - Just a few books....

 I think this is the first Sunday Salon I have taken part in since Christmas. Where does the time go?

Santa, also known as my beloved bought me a Kindle for Christmas. Which is pretty good for a man who refuses categorically to buy me books! So, I have been exploring the wonders and depths of Amazon and Smashwords for their e-books and in particular the free e-books. I have been alerted to some real wonders and new authors.

I spotted a new series by Barbara Sullivan. Unravelling Ada: A Quilted Mystery Novel, reviewed HERE and a second book in the series, Ripping Abigail, which is my current e-book read. I do hope there is going to be a third book.

I have also reviewed two very different books - First this e-book Crime Fiction for Beginners by Gervase Shorter reviewed HERE and paperback - Masters: Art Quilts Volume 2 narrated by Martha Sielman; that review is HERE

I also caught up on a much over due review for the Federation of Family History Society's book club - Tracing Your Channel Island Ancestors. This was an informative read, not just in terms of genealogical information, but also the complexities of the administration of the Islands.

I have also delved into cookery e-books. Some are best viewed on my iPad, but that is about my preference as a reader. First up was Master Chef Tom's Burns Night by Tom Bridge. Burns night is of course just a few days away.

Just after Christmas stumbled across a rather interesting collection of Japanese Ukiyo prints by Daniel and Denise Ankele. Mainly prints of flowers, but there are a few views. A fascinating collection and of course best viewed on a colour viewer such as PC or iPad or alike.

Well, that it is it for another week. I am hoping this week to complete my current e-book read and crack on with a few reviews that I have agreed to do. So many books, so little time!

Weekend Cooking - Burns Night!

As this is the last Weekend before 25th January, I thought that I would write about Burns Night. Last year I wrote a guest post over at Geneabloggers last year about Burns Night, explaining how it is celebrated, the poems and with what foods. I have also mentioned previously about a typical meal, in which the essential ingredients are Haggis, Potato and Suede or as they call it north of the border neep!

Haggis can be found in most super markets here in the UK. They are usually found on the fresh meat counters and can be frozen. I routinely have at least two in the freezer. They do need defrosting before cooking.

Haggis can be cooked on the hob, in a pan of boiled water. As soon as the water boils reduce the heat and add the Haggis, with the water simmering it takes around an hour. Haggis can also be cooked in the oven, remove from the plastic casing and wrap in tin foil. Place the Haggis into an oven proof dish with a little water and cook, usually for around an hour. If you cook via the microwave, I usually remove the outer plastic and skin, and don't forget the metal clips at the ends! Cut the Haggis into small segments and cook on full power. Length of time will vary depending on your microwave. 

Picture of ready cooked Haggis.

Haggis Pie

Cook Suede and Potatoes

Haggis cooked for about 3 minutes in the microwave (mine is 900w)

Cut Haggis into sections and place in bottom of a dish, I use a Lasagna dish

Mash Suede and place on top of Haggis

Mash potato and place on top of Suede.

Place in Oven for (mine is fan assisted) so 20 minutes until nice and brown.

Wee Beestie!

Cook Haggis and break into bits with a fork.

Serve on a bed of mashed potato and mashed suede (neep)

cover with cheese sauce and a light dusting of black pepper to taste


A nice, informative and easy to read book about a Burns Night Supper is Master Chef Tom's Burns Night

Robert Burns 1759 - 1796

And just to finish off, here is a picture of the man himself!

Weekend Cooking is hosted by BethFishReads

Master Chef Tom's Burns Night by Tom Bridge

A great and easy to read book. It starts off with some details of the very first Burns Supper in 1801. Over the following 200 years the celebration of Burns Night is known the world over.

The book explains that Haggis is a cooked product and simply needs to be reheated, which can be done by steaming, boiling, oven heat and microwave.

Also provided is a traditional Burns Supper menu, which is hyper linked to photos or the recipe. There is some brief history to background of the dishes, the ingredients, the cooking method and chef's tips.

The book then finishes with a typical Burns Supper programme. Starting with Grace, Entrance of the Haggis, The Immortal Memory address, Toast to the Lassies and the subsequent reply, Tam O'Shanter, Music, Songs and Poems and then the closing address.

All in all, a nice little book with a mixture of the history of the event, recipes with photos and proceedings.

Sepia Saturday 109 - Dolls!

I thought I might struggle to find a suitable photo in the collection of photographs I have here, but as luck would have it!  

This is a photo of my Mum's 1st Cousin Janet Downes taken in Guildford Surrey circa 1945

My Mum has a wonderful bridesmaid doll which she was given as a present for Christmas when she was 10 years old. There are no old photos of the doll and I have managed to get a recent photograph taken. You can read about the doll HERE

Taking part in Sepia Saturday

52 Weeks of Abundant Genealogy - Week 3 - Free Online Genealogy Tools

 Week 3- Free Online Genealogy Tools - Free online genealogy tools are like gifts from above. Which one are you most thankful for? How has it helped your family history experience?

Challenge from Sunday 15th January 2012 - Saturday 21st January 2012

There are so many free on line genealogical tools, all provided by some very generous people within the genealogical community. Here are several of my favourite ones.

• Find A Grave 
• India Office Family History Search 
• Families in British India Society - Initial free access database with an option to join the Society and access extra details and facilities.
• Family Search
• Geelong and District Database - Over a million records! and the Blog

The Geelong and District Database is simply phenomenal. Over a million records, all provided free by fellow researchers. A real genealogical treasure, especially when I reside across the pond. Even if you do not have ancestors in the area go and have a look at the facilities.It is nothing short of fantastic! 

Postcard Friendship Friday - Old Tangley, Wonersh Circa 1908

Part of my Guildford & District Collection

Submitted as part of Postcard Friendship Friday hosted by The Best Hearts are Crunchy 

Family History Writing Challenge - Reflections on the 2011 Challenge

I did take the 28 days pledge, the one that made last February the month for the Family History Writing Challenge. When I wrote the introductory post I talked about a set of notebooks that I had written over the last 20 years, written from visits to my Great Aunts and other relatives.

It occurs to me that I have not once looked at the notebooks that I mentioned in my 2011 introduction. The posts that have been written have been done so from my memory, recollections and my computer programme. I could not possibly remember all those dates!

The posts were made in an almost logical fashion. I started with my Grandmother and steadily worked backwards. There were the odd deviation and separate posting, written as the fancy took me!

By being able to write several thousand words without the notebooks makes me wonder what else there is to post. Actually the word count sits at 11,557 excluding the introductory post, which was 253 words and this post of somewhere in the region of 200 words. There are lots and lots and lots....you get the picture? What information do we each store in our memories? Things that will overtime be lost. Even my own Mum failed to remember something that she herself told me a few years ago.

I have an idea of what to do with the data collected and written about during February 2011. I also plan to add to those initial 28 a selection of other posts written during the year. I then plan to publish. Depending on how and what I write for the challenge this year they may, or may not be included.

What are your plans for the contents of the 2011 writing challenge?

Family History Writing Challenge 2012

Lynn Palermo over at The Armchair Genealogist blog has issued the Family History Writing Challenge and I've decided to accept. Here's the details from Lyn's page.

The Family History Writing Challenge

Feb 1^st-29^th

A 29-Day Commitment to Writing Your Family History

The What, When, Where and How of it All

Why should I sign up?

To actively participate in an opportunity to write your family history, without having to worry about quality. The key to writing is to write. Stop procrastinating; finally commit pen to paper or fingers to key board. Those family facts, finally assemble them into a format someone will read.

Whom Do I Write About?

A single ancestor, a surname, a branch of your tree, you pick.

You select the ancestor or ancestors, the timeframe, just keep in mind who you feel most prepared to write about in terms of research and interest.

How Much Do I Need to Write?

You pick the amount 250, 500, 1000 words a day whatever you can work into your schedule.

Do the math.

250 words x 28 days = 7000 words, you would be well on your way!

500 words x 28 days = 14,000 words, this would be an incredible start!

1000 words x 28 days = 28,000 words, you would be a hero!

Where Do I Write?

Write on your computer, ipad, typewriter, longhand (tough to do word count). Write in your office, at the kitchen table, the local coffee shop, the lawn chair (if your someplace sunny- lucky you), or beside a roaring fire (that would be me).

What If It’s Not Good Enough?

This exercise is not about quality. Very few of us can sit down and shoot out a masterpiece on the first draft. Newsbreak..... most of us take a half dozen passes at it before it is worthy of anyone else’s eyes. This is about making a start. There will be plenty of time to edit your masterpiece later, committing to the word count is a huge step to making it happen.

When Does it Begin?

The Family History Writing Challenge begins Feb 1st to February 29^th. I am asking you to commit 29 days of writing your family history, in the hopes that you will get a running start and you will never look back.

Where Do I Sign Up?

Right here, leave your pledge in comments or link to your own blog post, no goal is official until you have written it down and shared it. Once you verbalize, you become more committed. If you prefer to keep it to yourself that's ok too. However, keep checking back or sign up through email, throughout the month, I will offer numerous posts to help keep you focused, offer you some tips for your writing and help you stay on track and reach your goals. At the end of the month, you can share how you did again here, or on your own blog.

What is stopping you from starting your writing? Let me know, and I will try to help you overcome those obstacles. Meanwhile, you have the next 2 days to get yourself organized to start writing.

Write your family history in 29 days, are you ready to take the challenge?

I've signed up again this year. The commitment is to again write 250 words each day because even though many of my posts run longer than that, 250 words is easy enough to do and doesn't put too much pressure on me. So, where to start? I am going to reflect over the posts for 2011, and see if there is anything that I would especially like to follow. Otherwise, I may be a bit more random this year. Who knows!

How about you? Take the challenge! It might be the impetus you need to get some of that family history written that you've wanted to start! 

Follow The Family History Writing Challenge Blog HERE and to take part sign up HERE

Twitter tag - #FHWC

Wordless Wednesday - Across the Morning Sky....

Taking part in Wordless Wednesday