Why Encourage?
Linda Jewell, Founder
I come from a long line of storytellers. Great storytellers. Tellers of stories both in oral and written traditions. Their stories make me laugh. Cry. Provide a place called home in the heart of my family tree. Provide me with definitions about the person I am—or aspired to become. My grandmother told me a story when I was five years old that shaped my compassion for the shy. My son shared a story that helped me to be brave when he needed me to be brave. Some storytellers, with twinkles in their eyes, captivated me with the yarns they spun.
Since the early 1990s, I’ve written and shared my family stories. More accurately, I’ve remembered my experiences, interviewed family members about theirs, and researched records. Jotted notes. Written rough drafts. Requested feedback from family and critique group members. Learned more about the writing process. Edited and polished. Then I open my hands and let my family stories and histories make their way into the wider world.
Many people have encouraged and equipped me. FamilyStoryTree is one way I can honor them by paying it forward. I hope my blog provides you with encouragement and practical tips as you write and share your family’s stories and histories.
Some Compilation Books That Include My Family Stories
One book, “The Common Denominator,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families: 101
Stories about the Force Behind the Forces, is available as a sample to read on
Amazon and Barnes and Noble (see below for links).
You can find the following new, used, and/or digital books on amazon.com,
barnesandnoble.com and/or walmart.com and at other booksellers. I receive no
compensation from these businesses. Or check your local library. I include the following list
only to show that if you are interested, do your best, and follow the publisher’s writers
guidelines, your family stories might also meet the needs of compilation book editors, too.
- “It’s Not about Me,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Celebrating the Spirit of America: 101 Stories about the Country We All Love, Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishers, LLC, 2026). Selected to reprint from The Empowered Woman (below).
- “It’s Not about Me,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Empowered Woman: 101 Stories about Being Confident, Courageous and Your True Self, Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishers, LLC, 2018).
- “The Common Denominator,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Military Families: 101 Stories about the Force Behind the Forces, Amy Newmark (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishers, LLC, 2017). https://www.amazon.com and https://nook.barnesandnoble.com/
- “Comrades in Moms,” Chicken Soup for the Soul: Just Us Girls: 101 Stories about Friendship for Women of All Ages, compiled by Jack Canfield, et al (Chicken Soup for the Soul Publishers, LLC, 2013).
- “A Twice-Shared Christmas,” A Scrapbook of Christmas Firsts: Stories to Warm Your Heart and Tips to Simplify Your Holiday, compiled by Cathy Messecar, et al (Leafwood Publishers, 2008).
- “Hot Out of the Oven,” What I Learned from God While Cooking, compiled by Christine Bolley (Barbour Publishing, Inc, 2006).
- “Press On!,” Journeys of Joy: 30 True Stories of Abundant Living, collected by Allison Gappa Bottke (Barbour Publishing, Inc, 2004). Selected to reprint from God Allows U-Turns: A Woman’s Journey.
- “Father Knows Best,” But Lord, I Was Happy Shallow, compiled by Marita Littauer (Kregel Publications, 2004).
- “Manger Babies,”, All Is Calm, All Is Bright: True Stories of Christmas, compiled by Cheryl Kirking (Fleming H Revell, 2001).
- “The Golden Rule,” anecdote, Little Minds with Big Hearts: God’s World from a Child’s Point of View, compiled by Ramona Cramer Tucker (Moody Press, 1996)
