{"product_id":"storytelling-essentials-for-genealogists-may-2026","title":"Storytelling Essentials for Genealogists - May 2026","description":"\u003ch3\u003eWrite Your Ancestor's Story with Confidence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eRebroadcast\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003ch4\u003eMay 26, 2026 7PM - 9PM ET \u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eJoin us at Family Tree University and learn how to craft a compelling story without getting tangled in the details.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis workshop is designed for everyone, from beginners to \"non-writer types.\" We'll give you a proven process for success, showing you how the powerful elements of storytelling can transform even a simple genealogical report into a captivating narrative.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou'll walk away with actionable techniques and valuable insights to tell your family's story with clarity, honesty, and heart.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExperience Interactive Learning with an Expert\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"text-align: left;\"\u003e\n\u003cimg src=\"https:\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0696\/7682\/6792\/files\/rhonda_lauritzen_head_shot_thumb_18106c03-efbd-40d2-a373-a745bdc9e9cd_100x100.jpg?v=1756473103\" alt=\"Rhonda Lauritzen\" style=\"margin-bottom: 20px; float: none;\"\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eRhonda Lauritzen \u003c\/strong\u003eis a professional biographer with multiple published books and is a regular speaker at international conferences like RootsTech. She has an MBA from the University of Utah and served as CEO of her family business, working alongside her six brothers. In 2007, her writing journey began with her parents’ family business saga. She founded Evalogue.Life in 2016. Since then, Rhonda has been hired to help tell the stories of families, cities, and nonprofits. She believes that when you tell your story, it changes the ending.\u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003eThis two-hour session is designed to immerse you in a hands-on learning experience. Led by genealogy expert \u003cstrong\u003eRhonda Lauritzen\u003c\/strong\u003e you’ll benefit from:\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eExpert Guidance\u003c\/strong\u003e: Learn directly from a renowned genealogy professional.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePractical Handouts\u003c\/strong\u003e: Access downloadable resources to enhance your learning.\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePLUS - \u003c\/strong\u003eReceive the eBook \"Writing Your Family History\" ($19.99 value) \u003cstrong\u003eFREE\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhat You’ll Learn\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWrite a quick first draft\u003c\/strong\u003e, noting placeholders, and letting the timeline guide your narrative.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eStart with oral history interviewing and great \u003cstrong\u003equestion prompts\u003c\/strong\u003e to spark insights.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eJumpstart your story by \u003cstrong\u003efocusing on vignettes\u003c\/strong\u003e, which are self-contained stories that have all the essential elements but are less intimidating to tackle.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDetermine the best point of view\u003c\/strong\u003e and tense for your story (hands-on exercise).\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFlesh out your characters\u003c\/strong\u003e to highlight their personality and values, making them inspiring for readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSet scenes within the Goldilocks zone of detail:\u003c\/strong\u003e not too much, not too little.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdentify the main theme:\u003c\/strong\u003e what did you learn from the story?\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLearn the most critical elements of story structure so you \u003cstrong\u003ehit the right emotional notes\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eNavigate sensitive subjects\u003c\/strong\u003e with empathy. \u003cstrong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBy the end of this course you'll be able to:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOvercome writer's block\u003c\/strong\u003e and organize your story. Learn how to transform overwhelming research into a compelling narrative and find the best way to start your story.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eBring your characters to life\u003c\/strong\u003e. Discover the emotional heart of your family's history and learn how to make your ancestors feel real to your readers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eEngage your readers on a deeper level.\u003c\/strong\u003e Create an emotional connection with your audience by sharing your family's values through the art of storytelling, without sounding preachy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWalk away with confidence.\u003c\/strong\u003e Gain the skills to hold your readers' interest and feel great about sharing your family's history.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eReceive a comprehensive workbook\u003c\/strong\u003e. Get a guide filled with exercises, question prompts, and templates to help you with the writing process.\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou have a powerful voice, and your family's history deserves to be told in a way that truly honors it. In this course, you'll learn simple yet effective techniques to transform dry genealogical data into rich, compelling narratives.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eDon't wait—the time to tell your story is now!\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Family Tree Magazine Store","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":55345549574312,"sku":"FTU-Story-52026","price":79.99,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0696\/7682\/6792\/files\/storytelling-essentials-1x1-1280px.jpg?v=1757686550","url":"https:\/\/store.familytreemagazine.com\/products\/storytelling-essentials-for-genealogists-may-2026","provider":"Family Tree Magazine Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}