You probably have plenty of stories from your family and from your own childhood that you cherish. But, how do you know other people will feel the same way?
It can be difficult to decide which parts of your life and your family’s story make good stories for people who don’t have personal ties to them. If you want your story to have a real, positive effect on your readers, you need to be a little picky about which ones you shine the spotlight on. Luckily, there are definitely tells for which stories have the potential for creating a lasting impact on your reader.
Interest
This is perhaps the most obvious tell: is your story interesting? What individual readers find interesting is subjective, but stories that include notable figures, historical events, or storylines that border on the supernatural are interesting to most people.
Perhaps your great-grandfather worked for the NAACP during the Civil Rights Movement of the 50s and 60s. Or, maybe you have an ancestor who served as a major political or historical figure. Maybe your aunt just has a crazy story about the time she went abroad for the first time and made every mistake possible. Interesting content is the easiest way to know people outside of your family will still enjoy your story.
Lessons
Another great way to relate your personal stories to your audience is to conclude the story with a lesson or tips readers can use in their own lives. This goes for everything from cautionary tales and perspective shifts to career advice.
The story of how your brother got into a bad accident could be a lesson on safe driving practices. Your grandma’s zeal for life and enjoying the little things could be an example of how to truly cherish our time on earth while we have it. There’s a reason your family still shares these stories today, and it likely applies to your readers, too.
Quality writing
Have you ever been really excited to hear a story but quickly lost interest as its storyteller droned on and on? Have you ever read an amazing book with a plot you could sum up in a few words? I’m a firm believer that a bad storyteller can ruin a great story, but a great storyteller can make any story feel extraordinary.
Your family’s stories may be interesting or have great lessons woven in, but no reader will truly enjoy them if your writing doesn’t do them justice. On the flip side, don’t be afraid to get creative and make what you thought was a boring story shine with intricate, sensory details and thoughtful prose.
Ultimately, the family stories you choose to share with the world should ideally have pieces of interest or relevance to your readers—whether these are in the story itself or in the way you tell it. If you find yourself struggling along the way, DAS can help you out through coaching, marketing help, publishing, and ghostwriting services. We even have a free guide to get to you started. Or, of course, you can schedule a free Clarity Call to find out more about what you need and how we can help.
