Writing for Discovery:
A Genealogy Mindset Makeover
February 4 – March 23, 2024
Good genealogical writing is not something we do AFTER we’ve figured it out.
Writing is HOW we figure it out.
Research is fun. Writing is hard.
Are we ever REALLY "ready to write"?
When many of us sit down to write a client report, family history, or proof argument, we visualize how our final product should appear. Panic sets in as we worry that our work won’t look and sound as we think it should. We confuse genealogical writing with presentation—assembling our evidence and proof into a final product that will satisfy whatever audience will be reading and evaluating it. This preoccupation with the final version of our proof argument is often at the root of our genealogy writing paralysis. Focusing on our final product also interferes with the equally important discovery process, where we learn what it is that we want to say.
Growing up, I never imagined myself as a writer. With each new assignment, letter, or essay, I struggled to commit even the first few words to paper without erasing them a minute later. Perfectionism and rough drafts don’t coexist in mutual bliss...
Even after years of blogging about genealogy for About.com tempered my dread of writing, I still struggled to write as I researched rather than saving it until the end. Is the research ever really done? Are we really ever ready to write?
Then my cognitive science background kicked in. I remembered that writing is more than just putting ideas into words—it’s problem-solving. As genealogists we should be writing not only to communicate but also to ask questions, discover what we are thinking, generate ideas, and even argue with ourselves before committing to a conclusion. Writing isn’t something we do AFTER we’ve figured it out; writing is HOW we figure it out. Writing for discovery is the all-important first step to becoming a confident genealogical writer. With that foundation in place, the drafts and final “polish” become much less daunting...
Writing for Discovery: A Genealogy Mindset Makeover
This 7-week, hands-on, all-in, online genealogical writing workshop will meet you wherever you are in your genealogy writing journey and give you the skills and confidence to make writing a regular habit rather than something you dread. Through a mix of pre-recorded instruction, hands-on exercises, a writing project, live Q&A/idea sharing sessions (also recorded for later viewing), and personalized feedback you'll learn methods for writing as you research and how to incorporate writing as an essential part of your problem-solving process. How to get more done and waste less time. And while the biggest focus of the class is writing for discovery, we'll also delve into writing up your research to share with others -- how to find your writing rhythm, organize your evidence, weed out the clutter, and choose the best words. For those who want to participate, the course also includes a peer-review component and optional co-working/accountability sessions. Upon completion students who want to continue the progress and accountability are invited to join my closed Level Up Genealogy membership (only open to students who have taken this course).
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Here’s What You’ll Get When You Sign Up!
Pre-recorded instructional lessons focused on each stage of the writing process
Work through the videos and writing activities at a time and pace that's convenient for you.
Five live Q&A group coaching sessions
Live Q&A group coaching/student sharing sessions facilitate continued learning as you work to apply the lessons from each week. Can't make a session? No problem! These will be recorded and questions can be submitted in advance.
Eight optional co-working / accountability writing sessions
Meet weekly on Zoom with Kimberly and fellow classmates for sessions focused on getting writing done. Blocked time and accountability can be big motivators!
Private Facebook group / Peer Review
A private Facebook group is available for class discussions, questions, and sharing between the live meetings. An optional peer-review component (included) lets you receive feedback on your writing.
Course Outline
Writing for Discovery
Writing as Problem Solving
Writing as a Journey
Writing as Communication
Writing as a Process
About the instructor,
Kimberly T. Powell
Kimberly is a professional genealogist, author, and educator specializing in genealogical writing, land records, DNA, and solving complex problems. She is a past President of the Association of Professional Genealogists and served as the Genealogy Expert for About.com for sixteen years. She is the author of several books, including most recently "The Challenge of Endogamy and Pedigree Collapse" in Advanced Genetic Genealogy: Techniques and Case Studies and The Everything Guide to Online Genealogy, 3rd edition.
Kimberly is on the faculty at the Genealogical Research Institute of Pittsburgh (GRIP), the Institute of Genealogy and Historical Research (IGHR), and the Salt Lake Institute of Genealogy (SLIG), as well as for Boston University’s online genealogy programs. With Harold Henderson, she developed and taught for five years a popular institute course on writing proof arguments, “From Confusion to Conclusion.” Her personal and professional research focus is families with roots in the southeastern US and southwestern PA.
TesTIMONIALS
What others have to say about their experience...
"Serious about wanting to be a better genealogist? A better genealogical writer? This is the course for you! This is the PROCESS component universally overlooked in institutes and other genealogy curricula. And who better to learn it from than Kimberly Powell, one of the top instructors in our field. By the end of the course, writing wasn't dreaded and feared but actually enjoyable! The course is well worth your time!"
~ Skip Duett
"Since my original BCG application, the idea of being reviewed has been terrifying and nerve-wracking. The techniques and strategies I learned in the Writing for Discovery course have enabled me to write client (and my own) research reports quickly and efficiently. I have also learned that peer review is something that helps me improve and grow as a genealogist making renewal submission to BCG easier and also enabling me to seriously consider finally achieving one of my major goals – submission to NGSQ."
~ Susan Michael, Certified Genealogist®
"I took Kimberly Powell’s Writing for Discovery on the heels of completing the Certificate in Genealogical Research course at Boston University. It was the perfect next step for me. Kimberly addressed all aspects of the writing process (and how to avoid overwhelm). She did an amazing job presenting information in a clear, engaging manner. The support from Kimberly and fellow classmates was priceless!" ~ Kelly Judge Faggiano
"Kimberly Powell is a born educator who empowers her students to challenge themselves as learners, writers, and researchers. Genealogical style is different from other kinds of writing and the Writing for Discovery course gave me the boost I was looking for to become a better and more confident genealogy writer. In my book, the value of the course has been 'priceless'."
~ Denise May Levenick
"This course helped me to develop the discipline of daily writing which greatly enhanced my ability to more quickly see gaps in my research, to see weaknesses in my analysis, and to develop the ability to write without stopping to look something up or research a rabbit hole. The constructive input from my peers helped me see my writing from different points of view. The guidance provided by Kimberly was invaluable."
~ Suzanne C. Matson
"Kimberly's Writing for Discovery series was a highlight of my educational opportunities this past year. She walked us through valuable topics, such as constructing a logical argument; efficient use of research logs; note taking strategies; document and word-processing programs; and many others. She also built a safe space for our group of writers to ask questions, receive constructive feedback on our work, and hold ourselves accountable. Whether you are a beginner or seasoned writer, you will find Kimberly's original content and the group support invaluable."
~ Jenny Grinnell
Level Up Genealogy has developed high-quality education courses to provide solid solutions for what many genealogists struggle with: organizing and writing up all the details that we find in our research. Kimberly is an excellent instructor for these courses—she's thorough, gives reasons why she does things, and points out common areas where genealogists get stuck and how to get past them. Her extensive experience as a researcher shines through--she understands the struggle! Although I have tried many methods to get organized and streamline my writing in my years as a professional genealogist, herWriting for Discovery and Mastering Your Genealogy With Scrivener courses finally gave me a solution that works—it's efficient, organized, and keeps me on track.
~ Laurie Hermance-Moore, Accredited Genealogist®
Register now for Writing for Discovery, February 4 – March 23, 2024. Class size is limited. Cost $397.
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the schedule for the Writing for Discovery course?
How much time should I expect to spend on the course each week?
What if I am not able to attend a session live?
What do I need to be prepared for the Writing for Discovery course?
What guarantee do I have that this course will work for me?
What workshops will you be adding in the future?
One Final Note...
I help genealogists who love research but dread writing cut through the confusion, insecurity, and disorganization so they can present their genealogical conclusions for family, clients, or publication with confidence. Will you join me on this writing workshop journey?
Register now for Writing for Discovery, February 4 – March 23, 2024. Class size is limited. Cost $397.
