I've gotten a few responses to my last post about our Family History Book ....so to begin this post, let me say thank you to those who have written......I've truly enjoyed your suggestions.
I am about one quarter of the way through the book. I like what I've got so far as do those of my immediate family that have been allowed to see the progress. I've mixed in my fictional view of my family's immigration from Scotland with facts that pertain to the era in which they left their home country to sail to the new world. I've created collages of old photos that also give a visual aid to the story...for example what the ship they traveled on may have looked like or how the mill or cooperage from which they earned an income may have been built.
And I've included my own thoughts and experiences as I've traveled this road of research for the past ten years...sort of like a diary.
I think what has stopped me is that I'm not an author....and I'm afraid that folks may think that the work over-reaches my ability to truly tell a story that is not just dates and reference numbers pertaining to the yellowed documents I've been lucky enough to hold in my hands. Perhaps my view of our ancestors life will seem overly romantic or melodramatic to readers....
I'm wary of criticism...and I find that funny in a way...because I've lived my life exactly as I have wanted to despite the criticism of others; I've always followed my heart in decision making, in child rearing, in philosophical matters and life in general....so why should I now fear the criticism of others?
Perhaps putting that fear out there for all of you to read it and hear it will allow me to move forward with the book....perhaps the actual acknowledgement of what it is that I fear will allow me to overcome it.....I hope so!
I am about one quarter of the way through the book. I like what I've got so far as do those of my immediate family that have been allowed to see the progress. I've mixed in my fictional view of my family's immigration from Scotland with facts that pertain to the era in which they left their home country to sail to the new world. I've created collages of old photos that also give a visual aid to the story...for example what the ship they traveled on may have looked like or how the mill or cooperage from which they earned an income may have been built.
And I've included my own thoughts and experiences as I've traveled this road of research for the past ten years...sort of like a diary.
I think what has stopped me is that I'm not an author....and I'm afraid that folks may think that the work over-reaches my ability to truly tell a story that is not just dates and reference numbers pertaining to the yellowed documents I've been lucky enough to hold in my hands. Perhaps my view of our ancestors life will seem overly romantic or melodramatic to readers....
I'm wary of criticism...and I find that funny in a way...because I've lived my life exactly as I have wanted to despite the criticism of others; I've always followed my heart in decision making, in child rearing, in philosophical matters and life in general....so why should I now fear the criticism of others?
Perhaps putting that fear out there for all of you to read it and hear it will allow me to move forward with the book....perhaps the actual acknowledgement of what it is that I fear will allow me to overcome it.....I hope so!
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