November is filled with opportunities to get creative and put words to page (or screen.) Whether you are writing your family story, creating the story of a fictional family, or encouraging your family – aka kids – to write, this is the month to do it.

 

I’ll be participating in NaBloPoMo: National Blog Posting Month. I participated last year, and I think that it is just the motivation that I need to get me writing on a regular basis for myself again! (More on that in a bit.)

 

Let’s start with some resources that will get you writing TODAY!

 

NaNoWriMo (or, National Novel Writing Month)

This is a great program! Not only does National Novel Writing Month support the adult novelist, but it also helps teach children the value of the written word. The support offered is free, and it breaks the, “worth what you paid for it,” rule. Don’t forget to check out their workbooks, daily prompts, and tips. It’s not too late to get started. Go register, write a few words, and spread out your goal over 29 days instead of 30. You can do it!

Use this month to:

• Write your family story;
• Incorporate writing into your homeschool routine;
• Encourage your mom to write her family stories. (This is what I’m going to do! I bought her a book and everything!)

And, if you are taking the route of encouraging your children or incorporating it into your homeschooling curriculum be sure to check out NaNoWriMo’s Young Writer’s Program!

 

Resource: Book

How to Write Your Personal or Family History by Katie Funk Wiebe is the book that I chose as a gift for my mother. She has been interested in writing the stories of the women in our family, the lives around a certain town in our history, and more. My daughter and I stumbled upon this title while looking for another book, and I immediately fell in love with the author’s style. Check it out!

 

 

Resource: Website

Writing Your Family History with The Armchair Genealogist

Be sure to check out Lynn’s recommendations, articles, and resources. Also, if you are looking for a family history-specific challenge, she has her own! Jump into her Family History Writing Challenge.

 

NaBloPoMo (or, National Blog Posting Month)

NaBloPoMo is the brain baby of BlogHer. (I just love their tagline: Life Well Said.) If you’ve got a blog, jump on it. If you don’t, take a dip in the kiddie pool by creating one this November! Blog about your family, your day, your homeschool. Make it about what YOU love, and others will love it, too. Each day in November, post at least once to your blog. Sign up free at BlogHer, and link up your posts, win prizes, get inspiration (and a daily prompt if you need it), and more!

Use this month to:

• Share your family history research;
• Connect with other homeschoolers;
• Review products that you love;
• Vent your frustrations. (Or, maybe those should stay inside words!)

 

Resource: Book

31 Days to Finding Your Blogging Mojo by Bryan Allain is a fun way to work through, well, finding your mojo! Simple, fun, and easy to not only read but implement, this book is definitely worth the time it takes to work your way through Bryan’s steps. (I’ll be writing a review of it over at The In-Depth Genealogist later this month!)

 

 

Resource: Website for Genealogists and Family Historians

If you are blogging genealogy, you have to become familiar with GeneaBloggers. Thomas MacEntee is not only a genealogy ninja, a social media guru, and an all around great guy, but he is a wonderful source for information that will help you make your blog successful. Learn from his blog resources, list your blog in his blogroll, and find daily link ups to help you connect with other like-minded researchers.

 

Resource: Website for Homeschool Bloggers

Are you a homeschool blogger? Maybe you are looking to share your experiences with the world? Check out Homeschool Blogging. Yes, they focus on blogging for the homeschool business person, but their materials are top notch. You’ll want to be aware of their resources if you offer reviews, accept advertising, or are just looking to connect with the homeschool blogging community at large.

 

I hope that these resources help you as much as they have helped me.

 

Do you already blog or write? Share your links in the comments below so that we can support one another. Write on!

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© 2012, Stephanie Pitcher Fishman. All rights reserved.