How often have we heard " I remember when I was a child..." and then we hear the story they have for the umpteenth time. I often tell them why don't you write it down?

I seem to get the universal answer of " well, I can't write and even if I could it wouldn't be interesting or publishable. I definitely wouldn't get any money out of it." I beg to differ. Memory and writing provide possibly the best and the easiest way to keep a important piece of history alive.

How many of us have heard from our grandparents how they lived? Wish it was written down? I do. My grandparents lived in Eastern Europe during the Second World War. A lot of I don't remember which really means I can't talk about it. Still it's vital.

Okay raise your hands, how many of you wish you could write a family history not just the genealogies but the actual stories,and  for perhaps some profit?

It's really not that hard. I can say this with some experience as I am writing a history of my family during the Second World War while living in Transylvania. This might sound rather large and hard, but really it's not, I had to convince the people I was interviewing that I wouldn't add or subtract to it. Once that was accomplished an interview was easy.

Or was it really?

Three things are needed to write a book:

Background knowledge of the place you want to write, so that tall tales aren't used. Knowledge of history and especially history of the area. Good writing skills are a must. And a Food marketing plan.

If you think that you can create a book that will sell and make money, you need a marketing plan, and good writing skills. But what is most important, is good writing skills. Still ranking high on the list if great marketing plans.

As it is often said write what you know, but in this case, write what you know but be careful check other resources, use actual books, not simply the web.  If the resources don't tell you the same thing as interviews be wary. More so if it's someone whose word is considered trustworthy.

Plan to market this:  Is it something that you can sell a lot of books on or will it simply be something you want to give for something special.  With self-publishing being an option.  Be careful either way.  That's why it needs a marketing plan.

With my family history I leaned towards self-publishing until I looked at the resources and the interest, and I knew from the marketing plan that it could be a success in the traditional publishingcircles.  This made my decision a lot easier, since it meant that I could write the book in a stronger manner and "throw out" the net, and interview more than just family.

What started out small became mroe fun and seems to be something that can produce money and a name for myself in the writing industry.