Writing the book
Step 5—Write a section at a
time
The thought of writing a family history book can be
overwhelming, but one chapter is less so. That chapter can be broken into
sections as well. It helps to put headers (section titles) into your chapters to guide the
readers, and you as a writer as well. This makes reading and writing the book
less overwhelming.
You don’t have to start writing at the beginning of your
book. Start with a phrase—something you know well. It will grow from there.
Fill in your outlined book wherever you have an inclination at the time.
Refer to your research cards. The more you get to know your
subject, the easier it will be to write about. One advantage to dividing your
research notes up into small pieces (an index card’s worth) is that it allows
you to see the disjointed details from a different perspective.
Leave plenty of tracks for future family genealogists. Make
sure quotes and statistics are accurate and documented. Use footnotes, end notes,
or in-text notes surrounded by parentheses to give sources and additional
information.
Tips
- If you plan to include photos, use business gloss or brochure paper for
crisper photos. If you prefer matte paper, use fewer photos and black and white
or sepia only. Edited photos 300
dpi.
- Include historic maps, copies of documents, lyrics from period music,newspaper headlines as well.
- Strunk and White’s Elements of Style can answer grammar
questions.
- Download the free Rules of Graphic Design to give your book polish and help you design the book cover.
Step 6—Design a cover
You want your readers to have a
good first impression of your book and that will come from the cover. Whichever
print method you choose for your book, keep the cover simple. Stay away from
photographs and complicated illustrations. Those are best done with offset
printing. Digital printers (like your desktop printer) don’t handle images as
well.
Most of the Print-on-Demand
companies use digital printers. They do, however, include book cover templates
in their service. Consider laminating your do-it-yourself book cover. Or, hand
paint a cloth cover.
1|2|3|4|5 <Back Next> Publish your book
Step 1 & 2—Storyboard to print
Step 3—Choose a book-binding
style
Step 4—Build a story frame
Step
7—Publish your book
Back to Write a book main page
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