It’s back! Our popular family history writing course, The Write Stuff, returns for the Spring 2017 season starting January 2nd! Come join me, Lisa Alzo and my colleague, Thomas MacEntee on a a six-week collaborative, results-driven, group coaching environment focused on writing family history narratives. And for BLACK FRIDAY ONLY, save an extra $10 on your registration fee!
Is “write up all of my years of genealogy research” one of your goals for 2017? Are you looking for more than just the standard genealogy report . . . do you want something that you can publish and share with family? Are you interested in crafting ancestor profiles and allowing their stories to “pop” off the page? Then you need to be a part of The Write Stuff – a Genealogy Intensive™ offering.
Here are the details from the HackGenealogy Website:
What Is a Genealogy Intensive™?
A Genealogy Intensive™ is a small group of similarly-minded genealogists with the same project goal. The group meets virtually over a six-week period. Once a week, participants meet online using GoToTraining (similar to GoToWebinar which is popular with genealogy webinar attendees). There are work assignments that are interesting, engaging, and collaborative without being burdensome. In addition there is an online platform to share ideas, encouragement and ask questions at any time of the day or night. The group is closed, private and led by genealogy educators and authors, two of whom you probably already know:
Lisa Alzo and
Thomas MacEntee. These “coaches” offer encouragement and facilitate online discussions to lend inspiration, solve problems and make that ever-elusive project a reality.
So, bring your obsession. Bring your ideas, no matter how wacky they may seem. Bring your enthusiasm. Get ready for results. We’re talking
action and
doing. We’re talking feedback and support. Click
here to read more about the Genealogy Intensive™ concept.
If you missed out on the Fall 2016 version of The Write Stuff (which sold out quickly) then here is your chance! Read below for more information on this six-week collaborative, results-driven, group coaching environment focusing on writing family history narratives. Like all of our Genealogy Intensive™ offerings, you’ll have access to the recordings, handouts, and the Facebook group during and even after the classes end. At Hack Genealogy there is never an “upcharge” for a collaborative environment and if you act now, you can register for the Early Bird price!
Note: A minimum of eight (8) paid participants are needed in order for a Genealogy Intensive™ to be successful. If the minimum is not met, your tuition will be refunded in full and you’ll be notified of the next Genealogy Intensive™.
Testimonials
Here is what past students of The Write Stuff have to say:
“Your Write Stuff Seminar empowered me to write my family history. Your gentle guidance and a supportive group helped me see that I am indeed a writer! I appreciated the weekly meetings, the prompts, and the opportunity to share my work with others. And I loved exploring the variety of forms one’s family history might take. You inspired me to express myself and in so doing leave a family legacy. Thank you Lisa.” – Kathy
“Genealogy Intensive gave my family history writing a big boost. From it, I developed the habit of writing every day. Genealogy Intensive led me to understand just how important that is to do. After the class was over, I started a family blog to publish some of that writing and to get it ‘out there’ for others to read. The blog provided other rewards, including increasing their interest and involvement in our family’s history. One of the cousins that I do genealogy work with told me “I love the way you write”. Most importantly, I decided how to write my family history book by choosing a format to use through the storyboarding technique taught in the classes.” – Mary-Angus Yanke
Description
Are you excited about (or perhaps even a little obsessed with) the idea of getting your family history down in writing? Maybe you have self-doubts and fears about how to get started, what to write, and how to put it all together in a compelling way? If so, then this workshop is for you! During this six-week intensive, you will learn the key steps for producing a quality family history narrative from outline to finished product, ways to use “storyboarding” to plot your project, and how to build your writing skills, as well as your confidence as a writer. In addition, you will receive helpful tips, project management tools and a productivity toolbox to help keep you on track.
Through on-line instructional sessions, weekly assignments, and collaboration with other participants, you will have access to an instructor with more than 23 years of writing experience, who will teach you about key nonfiction writing techniques you can use to produce a “can’t put down” family history that will keep the pages turning for generations. NOTE: While Facebook is not required, participants will reap the most benefits from the collaborative environment by accessing the Facebook Group for The Write Stuff Spring 2017.
Key Goals of the Course
- Learn writing skills and techniques to produce a quality family history; build on the skills each week.
- Focus on getting a working draft.
- Receive constructive and helpful feedback.
- Overcome fears and anxiety about writing.
- Have fun!
Coach Bio – Lisa Alzo
Lisa A. Alzo is a freelance writer, instructor, and lecturer with over 20 years’ experience in the field of genealogy. She earned a Master of Fine Arts degree in Nonfiction Writing from the University of Pittsburgh, and is the author of nine books, including:
Finding Your Slovak Ancestors,
Writing Your Family History Book, and the award-winning
Three Slovak Women. Lisa has written hundreds of articles and her work has appeared in
Family Tree Magazine,
Family Chronicle,
Internet Genealogy,
APG Quarterly, among others. An internationally recognized speaker, Lisa blogs as “The Accidental Genealogist” blog
http://www.theaccidentalgenealogist.com. For more information see
http://www.lisaalzo.com.
Schedule
Week 1: 2-8 January 2017
- Video: Setting Writing Goals
1) Outline your family history writing goal. Various tools will be provided to explore different ways to create an outline.
2) Compose a short elevator pitch (no more than 2-3 sentences) that succinctly summarizes your project. A sample will be provided.
- Facebook Group
- Introductions
- Participants ask questions on assignment; share resources; respond to prompts from instructor (2 prompts each week).
Week 2: 9-15 January 2017
- Online Session: Introductions, Goal Setting and Review Assignment #1
9 January 2017 via GoToTraining
9:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CDT 1 Hour, recorded.
Topic: What do you want to accomplish? What’s important to you? What does writing success look like to you?
- Video: Plot, Plan, and Scheme: Storyboard Your Family History Project
- Assignment #2
- Storyboard your project idea. Write by hand on index cards and then scan them or photograph them to share; or use a program such as Scrivener or Index Card App or StorySkeleton.
- Facebook Group:
- Participants ask questions on assignment; share resources; respond to prompts from instructor (2 prompts each week).
Week 3: 16-22 January 2017
- Video: Tap into Family Treasures
- Assignment #3
- Tap into Family Treasures: write 500 words using a photo or document or heirloom or keepsake as your prompt. Instructor will provide a sample.
- Facebook Group:
- Participants ask questions on assignment; share resources; respond to prompts from instructor (2 prompts each week).
Week 4: 23-30 January 2017
- Online Session: Review Assignments #2 and #3
23 January 2017 via GoToTraining
9:00 pm EDT / 8:00 pm CDT 1 Hour, recorded.
Topic: Review Assignments #2 and #3.
- Video: Character Development through Oral History and Profile
Choose one
1) Write from a memory or an oral history interview (500 words). Instructor will provide a sample.
2) Write a profile or character sketch of an ancestor of your choice (500 words). Instructor will provide a sample.
- Facebook Group:
- Participants ask questions on assignment; share resources; respond to prompts from instructor (2 prompts each week).
Week 5: 31 January-6 February 2017
- Video: Shaping Your Story Using Plot and Structure
- Assignment #5
- Putting it all together. Building on the skills you learned in the previous weeks, and using your outline, write a 1200 word narrative (approximately 2 pages) about your ancestor or family. Instructor will provide an example.
- Facebook Group:
- Participants ask questions on assignment; share resources; respond to prompts from instructor (2 prompts each week).
Week 6: 6-13 February 2017
- Online Session: Review Assignments #4 and #5, Wrap-Up.
13 February 2017 via GoToTraining
9:00 pm EST / 8:00 pm CST 1 Hour, recorded
Topic: Review Assignments #4 and #5 and Wrap-Up.
- Video: Top Ten Tips for Family History Writing
- Facebook Group:
- Thank you, good-byes, next steps
Register
The cost to attend a The Write Stuff Genealogy Intensive™ over a six week period is $129 per person. A special discounted price of $99 will be available during the early registration period. Early registration ends on Monday, December 19th!
Black Friday Special: Use coupon code bf2016 at checkout, and save an extra $10! Your final price is $89! Offer good through Friday, November 25th, 2016!
If you’re ready to be a part of
The Write Stuff, Spring 2017 (2 January – 13 February 2017), then click
here to register and pay via PayPal*
* You do not need a PayPal account to make payment; you can use a credit card via PayPal.
Money-Back Guarantee
We get it. You’re taking a chance with us on a new, radical format for online genealogy education. If you are willing to do the work and commit to the format of a Genealogy Intensive™, we’re certain you’ll be happy. More than happy. More importantly, you’ll finally get that project done!
If at any time you are not satisfied with the content or format of the Genealogy Intensive™, we’ll gladly refund your money.
Copyright 2016, Lisa A. Alzo and Thomas MacEntee, All Rights Reserved
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