This video is a copy of the presentation I did for members of the British Isles Family History Society of Ottawa in early 2018.

It outlines the four steps I use to create a story about an ancestor's life quickly and easily. It includes: story, structure, style and sound on a staircase, with each element alone on its own stair to represent each distinctive thought process. Story is on the highest stair, because it’s in the clouds. Then you move down a step to consider structure, which limits research to a manageable level and ensures a good workable draft. Then, you consider style. Now you’re thinking about each sentence and every word, but you’re happy with the story and you know your structure works. Then last, but not least, you keep heading down the staircase to sound. This one is the last way to look at your story before you can hit publish. By keeping each step separate in your mind like a staircase, you can imagine, limit, concentrate and shine.