Of course, your family means the world to you. So you want to create something special for them. Here are some tips to follow that I’ve noticed get looked over.
Tip #1: Go out of order
Stories have a natural flow to them that is UNRELATED to time. If you’re thinking of lining up a series of family’s events in chronological order, forget about it. This will only lead you to a snoozing audience.
Today’s easily-distracted audience needs bait to stay engaged. Bait are vignettes sprinkled into a story to raise questions and cause suspense. Some examples of bait include tactics we’ve all seen, like opening a movie with the protagonist’s thought in a scene that the audience will see later or interjecting a chapter with a description of a scene that will play a critical role in the plot two chapters down, altering the predicted story line.
Using bait, you will keep your audience wondering what’s going to happen next and feeling like they are headed toward a destination. They will stay attentive until the conclusion of the story.
So let the nature of the events guide the story, rather than the chronology—even if it means keeping them out of order.
And BE SURE to answer any questions your bait might have provoked in your story, so your audience isn’t left all confused.
Tip #2: Keep room for reflection
You probably want the story to be told for a reason. It could be as simple as honoring your father, who is an interesting man, or as complex as teaching your daughter the core values and mission of the family business, because she plans to take over it one day. You want her to understand the grit the business was built with.
Whatever the reason, make your intentions clear to the audience before the story ends. You want your father to be remembered for his entrepreneurial character? State it in the book’s dedication page. You want your daughter to understand the hard work you’ve put into building the family enterprise? Conclude your story highlighting your values, which led to your success.
Be clear about the purpose, lessons, and morals you want your audience to note. Bring the story home.
