Is Your Family Story the Next Great Saga?

Welcome to all the new readers who’ve recently joined through a BookSweep or BookFunnel promotion. Glad to have you with us!

The Stories We Tell

Every family has its drama. That’s what makes family gatherings so interesting. A place to share family lore. Relatives who arrived on the Mayflower or by way of Ellis Island. Snickers about grandpa’s nightly snort of whiskey. Whispers of an aunt’s illicit love affair. Tales of that great uncle who never married. You might even hear details about a parent’s previous marriage and divorce. Scandalous!

Family Saga

Essentially, your family history is chock full of stories about relatives who’ve lived interesting lives and made difficult choices. Some good. Some bad. And the judgments they faced due to those choices. Just ask about the relatives missing at your next family celebration. That side of the family that no one talks to any longer. The cousin that never shows up at the family reunion. Oh yes. There are plenty of stories. You just need to know where to probe.   

Judgments

Judgments reveal a lot about a family’s values. And often, judgments are passed down from one generation to the next. This ripple effect is what makes for an interesting family saga. Especially, if there are lessons learned and minds changed. That’s what we call in the book biz a story arc.

History Repeats

If you hover above your family tree, you might even discover that many family dramas are rooted in the past. One or two generations back. And, there’s no such thing as an original story. Themes repeat. Sibling rivalry. Failed business ventures. Mysterious deaths. Broken marriages. Everything you’d ever need to write a great novel is there. You only have to lean in and listen.    

Lost Tales

To me, nothing is sadder than a bare family tree. A tree that only provides names and dates of birth and death. It’s like walking through a cemetery of strangers. The headstones might be of momentary interest, but there’s so much information missing. The dreams, personalities, and struggles that bring our stories to life. That’s the stuff that makes our family history so interesting. Think about that the next time you’re reading a novel. What are the main themes in your family story? How has that story evolved from generation to generation? I bet you’ll gain some interesting insights. And then, be kind to an author. Share. I love to hear a good story.  

And Now for a Little Something Extra!

This month, we’re participating in two promotions offering free ebooks. You can grab a copy of my debut novel The Intersect at Literary Fiction and a copy of What’s That Growing in My Sour Cream? at Free and Fun. Be sure to check out the promos to meet new authors. And stay safe. Your health is important!