Writer's Blog Tour

 

Judi Scott invited me to participate in this Writer's Blog Tour. http://puzzlesofthepast.blogspot.com/
Judi and I enjoyed working together over the past five years as part of a team of editors for the Bulletin, a quarterly publication of the Genealogical Forum of Oregon. We also traveled to several genealogy events and conferences where we were presenters of classes or attended classes.




It is a joy to share the love of genealogy with others who also enjoy the work of discovering families and making connections that link generations together. The purpose of the tour is to spotlight the blogs of writers. Each  blog writer is supposed to answer the same four questions and then to introduce two other bloggers. We each blog for different reasons and find personal gratification in doing so.

1. What am I working on?

After my mother passed away a year ago my blog writing has been more limited. There are always projects for others in researching their family history. This year one group wanted to find the connecting link to their supposed Mayflower connection. While progress was made, finding the clues that will prove the links are elusive. There is a long list of records that need to be reviewed. Another project is for a well-known genealogist's family in examining what became of his research work. The purpose of my blog is to showcase families whom I researched, both for clients and my own family.

2. How does my work differ from others of its genre?

My work seems to be more casual than what other genealogy bloggers write. While documenting is essential, sometimes just the story is presented until someone contacts me with an interest in a particular family. At times my writing focuses on topics of interest to genealogists and serendipity moments experienced in doing research. By pointing out the uniqueness of discoveries there is hope that others will capture these moments in their research.

3. Why do I write what I do?

My writing is what flows from my head, often late at night. There is a spirit of direction that flows when a topic is brought forward. The writing is done to capture information that is known and someday could be lost from our memories. Five years ago after having two very serious brain surgeries it became apparent how quickly this can happen. For a few days after the last surgery my ability to think and process thought was compromised. It is very frustrating to hear what is going on around you and not be able to communicate.

4. How does my writing process work?

Usually a topic will come to mind when resting in bed at the end of the day. My best time to write is when the house is quiet and there are no interruptions. The writing is a free flow of thought. It is putting on paper what flows into my head. Once that is finished then it is re-read several times. It is run through spell check and then re-read again. Proof reading is one thing that seems to come naturally to me. Not that it is perfect, but it is my best effort. Getting comments on what would enhance my writing has been wonderful.

Now I want to introduce two writers to you.

The first is a long time friend, JoAnne Bennett, of almost forty years. It has been great to be a part of her discoveries about her life along the way. Lately she developed amazing talent as a genealogist.

After being placed for adoption at birth, her adoption journey has been winding and full of twists and turns, but JoAnne Bennett reflects on her many blessings — raising three wonderful daughters alongside her loving husband of 39 years. Her passions are writing and making a difference in young people’s lives. Helping children see that they have voices that truly matter is her heart-felt desire. She believes that loving out loud and treating one another with kindness and respect is a way of positively changing the world. JoAnne’s most recent credits include a contribution to the book, Adoption Reunion in the Social Media Age, An Anthology, a story in a book titled, One for the Road and a publication in Chicken Soup for the Soul: Teens Talk Middle School.

http://storiesbyjb.com

The second? Still having a hard time finding another participant.