Heritage2Legacy

A conversation with author, Dean Merrill.

Let’s say you’re not a writer. But there are stories about your youth, parents and grandparents you want to share with your children.

You will be inspired to become both a family storyteller and a published author as you listen to the following conversation with Dean Merrill. Dean is the author of 49 books including, More Than a Hobby [with David Green, founder of Hobby Lobby]. You can find more information here.

Dean Merrill

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Dean Merrill’s Tips for Publishing Your Own Family Stories

• Select a brief family story about a meaningful experience in your past or that of your parents. Find a time to tell it to your children. Verbalizing family stories help us organize our thoughts before attempting to write them.

One of our favorite suggestions for recalling such stories is to read your child a classic children’s book and then tell them a related tale from your childhood.

• Ask yourself if the story conveys a life lesson you want to pass along. For example, does it illustrate one of your family’s values? If so, finish the story by making that point. By the way, not all tales need to teach a lesson to be meaningful.
  
• Try writing the story. Use short sentences and simple words appropriate to your child’s age. The suggested length is only 500 words (this tip sheet contains about half that many). If you have difficulty writing your story, try recording it on your phone and then asking a family member whose job requires them to write to transcribe and edit it for you.
  
• Print the first copy of your story using a font size typical of a child’s book, about 18 to 20 points. Print on one side of each sheet of paper.

• Ask one of your children to draw pictures on the other side of each sheet of paper that help tell your story. And request a cover drawing for the front of the booklet.

• Take the printed sheets with pictures on one side to an office supply store that offers copying services. Have them scan and reproduce as many copies as you will need, applying a spiral binding to the left edge.

Congratulations!
You are now both a family storyteller and a published author.