Do you remember baking cookies with your grandma, the smell of fresh dough wafting through the air, and the warmth of the kitchen wrapping you in a comforting hug? Our guest, Waltraud Unger brings those memories to vivid life in our latest episode. A certified nutrition health coach, Waltraud merges her scientific background with business development and health expertise to guide people in discovering their individual needs and alleviating their struggles. Join us as she shares her journey from perfectionism to trust in intuition, the delights of baking, and her love for nature.

The next time you pick up that rolling pin and flour, remember that baking is not just about the end product; it's about the journey. Waltraud teaches us how to make it a mindful and creative process, drawing parallels between setting up your environment for writing and baking. You'll appreciate the value of homemade food and the beautiful act of creativity that baking represents. This is not just about creating delicious treats; it's about the stories that are kneaded into the dough.

But the magic doesn't stop there. Waltraud shares a heartwarming story about foraging for wild blueberries with her grandmother. It's a poignant reminder of how food and nature foster deep connections—and how important it is to preserve these family stories and recipes for future generations. We wrap up this episode with tips on organizing recipes as stories and where to find more of Waltraud's valuable insights. So, join us for this feast for the mind and soul, where the aroma of pastries is more than just mouthwatering—it's the smell of memories, tradition, and love.

You can find Waltraud at www.waltraudunger.com

This group is for people who are in the process of writing their own personal stories to preserve their past for their future. It’s a place to come for story writing inspiration, weekly writing-related events and memes, and continued support from me and the other members.

Join like-minded people and get your stories down on paper for your future generations!

Are you ready to transform your writing journey and craft the perfect space for your creative endeavors? I promise that after tuning into this episode, you'll be well-equipped to create an inspiring and productive writing environment. In this episode we discuss the importance of dedicated time and space for writing, sharing how a distraction-free zone can enhance concentration and spark inspiration. We also delve into how to effectively communicate your writing boundaries to your loved ones, ensuring your productivity is not hampered.

The conversation doesn't stop at just creating the physical environment. This episode also packs in discussions about choosing the right tools to aid your writing journey, including some of my personal favorites. We'll discuss the importance of knowing who your writing is for, how this knowledge should influence your approach, and how to share your pieces with the world. Keeping your creative juices flowing isn't always easy, so we even touch upon the ideal snacks to munch on during your writing sessions.

For more resources and exclusive content, make sure to check out my website and sign up for our weekly newsletter at www.melissaannkitchen.com. Join me in this journey, your notebook and pen are about to become your best friends!

Remember the smell of new corduroys, the anxiety of sleepovers away from home, or the exhilaration of the first day at a new school? These are the quintessential moments of September transitions we all encounter in our lives. In this episode, we delve into writing about the universal experiences of goodbyes and fresh starts, highlighting the emotional rollercoasters we ride and the significant legacies these moments leave behind. Join me, your host Melissa Ann Kitchen, as we revisit these poignant memories and learn how to capture them for future generations.

Who can forget the frenzied excitement of back-to-school shopping or the nerve-wracking first sleepover away from home’s comfort? We talk about taking a nostalgic look at these life-defining moments, as we discuss the importance of documenting these experiences, making the seemingly mundane details come alive in our stories. We also examine how to write about the emotional journey of letting go, and watching our loved ones venture into the world, being sure to highlight the unique challenges and rewards that accompany these transitions.

As we let our children spread their wings, it becomes vital to preserve these memories and experiences. Writing, we discover, can be a powerful medium to connect generations as well as a therapeutic tool to process the emotions associated with these transitions, We explore techniques to articulate our feelings and use our senses to narrate our stories, capturing the advice, conversations, and locations that made these moments so memorable. Let's honor these transitions together by weaving our personal stories into a tapestry of lessons learned, a lasting legacy we can pass on to future generations.

Read the related blog post here!

This group is for people who are in the process of writing their own personal stories to preserve their past for their future. It’s a place to come for story writing inspiration, weekly writing-related events and memes, and continued support from me and the other members.

Join like-minded people and get your stories down on paper for your future generations!

Ever been in a situation where the stories inside you are eager to come out, but you just can't seem to find the right words? This week, I'll be letting you in on the secrets to setting yourself up for writing success. I'll be sharing practical tips on creating a conducive environment and understanding your purpose for writing, because let's face it, knowing your 'why' is half the battle won.

I'll take you on a journey through a powerful seven-step process for personal story writing. From fanning the embers of your past to harnessing your creative spirit and finding your unique voice, these steps are your roadmap to transforming your ideas into finished drafts you'll be proud to call your own.

Bridging Your Past and Future:The Top Ten Items to Include When Documenting Your Personal History

This group is for people who are in the process of writing their own personal stories to preserve their past for their future. It’s a place to come for story writing inspiration, weekly writing-related events and memes, and continued support from me and the other members.

Join like-minded people and get your stories down on paper for your future generations!

Losing a loved one is an inevitable part of life, a profound event that forever changes us. Yet in the midst of such pain and sorrow, have you ever explored how the simple act of storytelling can be a healing balm for the soul? In this poignant episode, we take you on a reflective journey through our personal experiences with grief and how we found comfort and healing in sharing our stories.

Join us as we explore the deep, therapeutic power of storytelling in processing grief. We shed light on various ways we can preserve the memories of our departed loved ones - from writing heartfelt letters to them, to creating a collection of stories as a touching tribute to their lives. We also touch on how storytelling can help prepare us for memorials, engage in public grieving processes and find our way back to life after the painful goodbyes. It's a raw, heart-warming exploration of the crossroads of grief, memory, and storytelling - an episode that promises to leave you enriched with a fresh perspective on coping with loss.

This group is for people who are in the process of writing their own personal stories to preserve their past for their future. It’s a place to come for story writing inspiration, weekly writing-related events and memes, and continued support from me and the other members.

Join like-minded people and get your stories down on paper for your future generations!

Picture this: a young girl with her family at Windmill Beach, laughter ringing out as they navigate the repair of a wooden split rail fence. This is a memory that shaped my life, and it's those small moments that often have the most significant impact. Today, I take you on a trip down memory lane, sharing stories from my past, from my book, Bridging Your Past and Future. More than that, I guide you on how to document your personal history and the importance of focusing not just on the big wins but also on the day-to-day moments and challenges.

Have you ever been transported back in time by a small, seemingly insignificant item? A ticket stub, perhaps, or a faded photo? I share a chapter from my book Bridging Your Past &  Future: The Top Ten Items to Include  When Documenting Your Personal History and my story of how a simple wooden fence became a reminder of my mother's humor and resilience. But it's not just about my story; it's about yours too. It's about recognizing the power of the little details in our lives, valuing them, and preserving them for future generations. Join me, Melissa Ann Kitchen, as we bridge our past and future through the power of storytelling.

Link to the blog post:  September 12, 2022
BRIDGING YOUR PAST AND FUTURE (SAMPLE CHAPTER) - "THE LITTLE THINGS" shared here.

Link to the book Bridging Your Past & Future: The Top Ten Items to Include When Documenting Your Personal History here.

This group is for people who are in the process of writing their own personal stories to preserve their past for their future. It’s a place to come for story writing inspiration, weekly writing-related events and memes, and continued support from me and the other members.

Join like-minded people and get your stories down on paper for your future generations!

From a cozy campsite in Maine, I’m bringing you a heartfelt conversation on how parents can weave beautiful narratives for their children. Allow me to share inspiring prompts to capture  irreplaceable moments and milestones in the form of stories. You'll discover how these narratives can resonate with your children, regardless of age, and how they can help forge a stronger bond. This sharing is not limited to the present; I’ll recount how my son Curtis got his name, revealing how our past can be a treasure trove of stories waiting to be told. 

Embarking on a narrative journey can be the bridge connecting our past, present, and future. I'll provide guidance on expressing appreciation and respect for your children through writing, thus creating a legacy that outlives us. 

Join me on this journey, and let's narrate the stories that matter.

Throughout my time speaking with people about my mission to help others “preserve their past through powerful personal stories.”  I have had a lot of people assume that this topic was mostly for an older family member, usually a mother or grandmother who was collecting the family’s history.

I am here today to break this assumption and let you know why even if you do not fit into that group, you should be considering beginning to write your stories.

So who should be writing their stories?

In this episode we touch on the unique role of parents - from those experiencing the early milestones of their newborns to those engaging in deeper dialogues with their grown children, all with the shared goal of preserving family history.
Next we spotlight the invaluable role grandparents play in tying together past and present, weaving engaging narratives from their life experiences. We also discuss how individuals, even without their own children, contribute to this priceless legacy. Be it through sharing wisdom with nieces, nephews, siblings, and friends, or remembering a departed loved one, each story becomes part of a collective memory that transcends time.
So, whether you're a parent, grandparent, or simply someone who cherishes the past, this episode is your prompt to capturing and sharing those irreplaceable moments.

Link to related blog post

After talking with dozens of genealogists at the New England Genealogy Consortium 2023 in May about their passion projects and juicy family stories, I heard the same question over and over:

How can I add more “story” to help my research be more compelling?

After all of these conversations I created a talk specifically for Genealogy Associations and Clubs, and would like to share one of the five tips I offer to the participants - one that I believe can be used in a variety of scenarios.

Creating an introduction in narrative form giving further background to the information you have collected in your research. 

This introduction can be used for several purposes:

• Setting the stage
• Sharing Your Motivation
• Share Your Process
• Introduce the “characters”

For more specific notes on each of these you can head on over to the blog post on this topic.

Related Blog Post Here

What if you could take all of the stories, memories, and family research that are bouncing around in your head and get them all out on paper easily so you could pass them along? 

As a writer, I know the struggle!

And as a teacher, I have a solution!

Mind mapping. 

A mind map is a graphic tool that helps you to visually organize information.  It helps me to collect my ideas, knowledge, and thoughts in a manner that is clear and functional.  Mind maps can help you not only with brainstorming, but can also assist with structuring your stories.

In this episode we look at the 4 simple steps you can use to get started creating your own mind map, and 4 examples of how to use mind maps to help with writing your personal stories.  All mixed with the personal stories to make them real!

Here are links referred to in this episode:
Related Blog Post - How to Use Mind Maps When Writing Your Stories
Related Podcast on Organizing Your Writing
Family Tree Story Starters (example of mapping tool)

This group is for people who are in the process of writing their own personal stories to preserve their past for their future. It’s a place to come for story writing inspiration, weekly writing-related events and memes, and continued support from me and the other members.

Join like-minded people and get your stories down on paper for your future generations!