Family Tree Magazine Podcast

Episode: Organizing Family History Writing Projects – An Interview with Rhonda Lauritzen
Date: November 2, 2025
Host: Lisa Louise Cook
Guest: Rhonda Lauritzen (professional biographer, Evalog Life)

Episode Overview

In this episode, host Lisa Louise Cook interviews Rhonda Lauritzen, a professional biographer and family storyteller, about effective strategies for starting, organizing, and actually finishing family history writing projects. Drawing from her new article "In the Right Order" (Family Tree Magazine, Nov/Dec 2025), Rhonda shares practical methods, tools, mindset tips, the judicious use of AI, and approaches to overcoming the overwhelm that often stops genealogists and family historians from turning years of research into compelling narratives.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Started: Conquering the Blank Page ([00:54])

The Overwhelm: Starting a writing project can feel intimidating. Rhonda recommends a systematic approach, setting up "buckets" or placeholders for everything to keep the process orderly from the outset.
Initial Organization Methods:
- File and folder structures, both digital and physical
- Dedicated checklists for consistent project starts
- Early "housekeeping" is enjoyable when project excitement is high
  
  "At the beginning of every project, I set up the buckets, the placeholders for where stuff goes... and from then on, it's so much easier to get my head around the work." – Rhonda [01:22]

2. Essential Files and Folders ([02:36])

Three Major "Buckets":
1. Work in process document – A catch-all Word/Google Doc for thoughts, impressions, snippets, quotes, and research notes.
2. Interview Transcripts – A single, searchable file collecting all interviews.
3. Timeline – The main structural "scaffolding" (usually a simple Excel spreadsheet).
- Additional: Folder structures for digital and print, as well as physical binders (especially for client projects).

3. Defining Scope Early ([04:35])

Establishing the project's scope is crucial, though it often evolves.
Focus on telling "one story at a time," typically centered on one main character.
Decide whether the story is about a person, a generation, a building, etc.

"Deciding on the scope really is important... Usually I like to focus on one person as my main character and tell one story at a time." – Rhonda [05:34]

4. Building and Using a Timeline ([06:16])

A timeline, even if basic, is the backbone for organizing events and details.
Keep it simple to minimize friction—a spreadsheet suffices.
- Columns: Date, citation/source, descriptive notes.
"I just keep a simple Excel spreadsheet... one row for every date item in a person's life." – Rhonda [06:16]

5. Collecting Oral Histories & Interviews ([07:12])

After setting up organizational buckets, Rhonda's first action is to seek out knowledgeable people—living relatives, family historians, community custodians.
Even non-traditional sources (family genealogists, local keepers) can offer crucial context.
Always capture stories in people's own words and voices.

"There's no more enjoyable way to capture a story and no richer way than to capture their language..." – Rhonda [07:30]

6. Favorite Tools for Recording Interviews ([09:02])

Remote: Zoom (with built-in recording and transcription if using a pro plan).
In-person: Olympus digital recorder (mid-priced models like WS8XX series), Sony also recommended.
On-the-fly: Smartphone recording apps.
Tip: Invest in audio quality (e.g., clip-on microphones) because poor sound detracts from future usability.

"People will forgive bad video, but they won't forgive bad audio." – Rhonda [10:53]

7. Assembling the Narrative ([11:31])

Start with the work-in-process document to gather impressions.
Use the timeline as a first-pass outline, writing "straight up along the timeline" and capturing "vignettes" (self-contained story moments).
After a first draft, edit for emotional heart and pacing—Rhonda uses a storyboard at this stage.

"Once I've cranked out a first draft, then I look at what I have, and then I start looking for the emotional heart of the story. I look for those moments that I really want to amp up. I look for pacing." – Rhonda [11:47]

8. The Power of Vignettes ([13:06])

Vignette: A self-contained short story where something specific happens.
Different from general memories; a vignette is anchored in time and includes a beginning, an action, and an outcome/lesson.

“A vignette ... is a little story when something happened. So you would start a vignette like 'one day in 1982, my brother and I went down to the railroad tracks...'” – Rhonda [13:21]

9. Choosing What to Include ([15:17])

Criteria: Each detail, photo, or fact must serve the story.
Look for "the well-chosen detail" that stands for many.
Avoid overloading with unnecessary data—use details that add to person, setting, or plot continuity.

“My criteria is, does it serve the story?... One detail that sort of stands in for all the rest that really brings it to life.” – Rhonda [15:29]
Photos: Use early for prompting stories, then curate for relevance after writing.

10. Tools of the Writing Trade & AI ([17:47])

List includes: scanning hardware, file backup solutions, graphics tools, transcription services, and increasingly, AI-powered features.
How NOT to use AI: Never delegate your narrative voice or let AI genericize your writing—preserve “imperfections” for authenticity.

"The first rule I would say is never delegate your voice... your language, the way you really speak and the way you write is so much more interesting in its imperfections." – Rhonda [18:22]
How to Use AI:
- Transcription (Zoom, HappyScribe)
- Summarizing long transcripts
- Extracting key timeline points and citations
- Proofreading/outlining
- Prompts: Ask "What am I missing?" for critique and completeness.
  
  “I have AI extract the timeline for me... ‘Pull every date, every major life event. Give me a bullet point of the events and give me a citation... and then format that citation in Chicago Manual of Style.’” – Rhonda [19:42]

11. Writing Platforms and Practical Tips ([21:13])

For small projects (< 50 pages): Word or Google Docs, with table of contents.
For larger books/more complexity: Scrivener—facilitates layered/nested outlines, allows seeing research alongside writing, easy reorganization.

"If my project is going to be a full book... Scrivener is so much easier to keep everything organized and moved around." – Rhonda [21:22]
Scrivener exports to Word, PDF, Kindle, or segments for flexibility.

12. Rhonda’s Final Advice ([24:04])

Attention Is the Currency: Organize well and minimize distractions—close everything but your manuscript while writing.
One-draft Flow: Try writing your first draft as much as possible from memory in one sitting, using placeholders instead of getting stuck looking up every detail. Then add research in later rounds.

"Just write what you know and get it down as quickly as possible, and then just use a placeholder for any time you need to look up a citation or a quote. That way you won’t get bogged down..." – Rhonda [24:04]
Use AI for Outlines and Critique: Summarize drafts and ask for missing elements or ways to improve.

"[AI] reinforced what you’ve already done. So I love to ask it, how could I make this better? What am I missing?" – Rhonda [26:05]

13. Further Resources

Rhonda’s website: Evalogue Life – Free tools and articles, including a guide to transcription tools.

“My website is Evalogue Life, E V A L O G U E L I F E. I have a ton of free tools there...” [27:08]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

On Early Organization:

"It doesn't feel burdensome to do a little bit of housekeeping at the beginning. Right. Because it's fun." – Rhonda [02:36]
On Audio vs. Video:

"People will forgive bad video, but they won’t forgive bad audio." – Rhonda [10:53]
On Imperfections:

"Your language, the way you really speak and the way you write, is so much more interesting in its imperfections." – Rhonda [18:22]
On Scope Creep:

“How often have you thought the scope was going to be something small... and then it grabs ahold of me and it won't let me go, and I find it is with me for the next few years.” – Rhonda [04:53]
On AI Summaries and Critique:

"My very favorite AI prompt of all time... is ‘what am I missing?’" – Rhonda [26:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:22] – Rhonda’s approach to conquering the blank page and getting organized
[02:36] – Essential files and folder organization
[04:35] – Importance of defining the scope
[06:16] – Using a timeline as the project backbone
[07:30] – Interviewing as the first narrative step
[09:02] – Tools for capturing interviews
[10:53] – Why audio quality matters most
[11:47] – Turning research and interviews into narrative
[13:21] – How vignettes work and transform memories into stories
[15:17] – Choosing which details and photos to keep
[17:47] – Tools of the trade and integrating AI
[18:22] – Why not to let AI take over your voice
[19:42] – How AI can extract and structure a timeline from transcripts
[21:22] – Organizing and drafting: When to use Scrivener
[24:04] – Mindset, attention, and a fast first draft
[26:05] – Using AI to find what’s missing and improve your project
[27:08] – Where to find more resources from Rhonda

Tone and Style

The conversation is practical, supportive, warm, and enthusiastic about storytelling, creativity, and leveraging both tried-and-tested and modern digital tools (including AI) to make family history writing accessible and fresh.

For More

Evalogue Life: Free resources for storytellers – evalogue.life
Family Tree Magazine: familytreemagazine.com/podcast
Featured article: “In the Right Order,” Family Tree Magazine (Nov/Dec 2025)

This summary highlights the most informative, actionable, and inspirational moments to empower both beginner and experienced family history writers to get organized, get started, and truly finish their projects.

Family Tree Magazine Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Started: Conquering the Blank Page ([00:54])

The Overwhelm: Starting a writing project can feel intimidating. Rhonda recommends a systematic approach, setting up "buckets" or placeholders for everything to keep the process orderly from the outset.
Initial Organization Methods:
- File and folder structures, both digital and physical
- Dedicated checklists for consistent project starts
- Early "housekeeping" is enjoyable when project excitement is high
  
  "At the beginning of every project, I set up the buckets, the placeholders for where stuff goes... and from then on, it's so much easier to get my head around the work." – Rhonda [01:22]

2. Essential Files and Folders ([02:36])

Three Major "Buckets":
1. Work in process document – A catch-all Word/Google Doc for thoughts, impressions, snippets, quotes, and research notes.
2. Interview Transcripts – A single, searchable file collecting all interviews.
3. Timeline – The main structural "scaffolding" (usually a simple Excel spreadsheet).
- Additional: Folder structures for digital and print, as well as physical binders (especially for client projects).

3. Defining Scope Early ([04:35])

Establishing the project's scope is crucial, though it often evolves.
Focus on telling "one story at a time," typically centered on one main character.
Decide whether the story is about a person, a generation, a building, etc.

"Deciding on the scope really is important... Usually I like to focus on one person as my main character and tell one story at a time." – Rhonda [05:34]

4. Building and Using a Timeline ([06:16])

A timeline, even if basic, is the backbone for organizing events and details.
Keep it simple to minimize friction—a spreadsheet suffices.
- Columns: Date, citation/source, descriptive notes.
"I just keep a simple Excel spreadsheet... one row for every date item in a person's life." – Rhonda [06:16]

5. Collecting Oral Histories & Interviews ([07:12])

After setting up organizational buckets, Rhonda's first action is to seek out knowledgeable people—living relatives, family historians, community custodians.
Even non-traditional sources (family genealogists, local keepers) can offer crucial context.
Always capture stories in people's own words and voices.

"There's no more enjoyable way to capture a story and no richer way than to capture their language..." – Rhonda [07:30]

6. Favorite Tools for Recording Interviews ([09:02])

Remote: Zoom (with built-in recording and transcription if using a pro plan).
In-person: Olympus digital recorder (mid-priced models like WS8XX series), Sony also recommended.
On-the-fly: Smartphone recording apps.
Tip: Invest in audio quality (e.g., clip-on microphones) because poor sound detracts from future usability.

"People will forgive bad video, but they won't forgive bad audio." – Rhonda [10:53]

7. Assembling the Narrative ([11:31])

Start with the work-in-process document to gather impressions.
Use the timeline as a first-pass outline, writing "straight up along the timeline" and capturing "vignettes" (self-contained story moments).
After a first draft, edit for emotional heart and pacing—Rhonda uses a storyboard at this stage.

"Once I've cranked out a first draft, then I look at what I have, and then I start looking for the emotional heart of the story. I look for those moments that I really want to amp up. I look for pacing." – Rhonda [11:47]

8. The Power of Vignettes ([13:06])

Vignette: A self-contained short story where something specific happens.
Different from general memories; a vignette is anchored in time and includes a beginning, an action, and an outcome/lesson.

“A vignette ... is a little story when something happened. So you would start a vignette like 'one day in 1982, my brother and I went down to the railroad tracks...'” – Rhonda [13:21]

9. Choosing What to Include ([15:17])

Criteria: Each detail, photo, or fact must serve the story.
Look for "the well-chosen detail" that stands for many.
Avoid overloading with unnecessary data—use details that add to person, setting, or plot continuity.

“My criteria is, does it serve the story?... One detail that sort of stands in for all the rest that really brings it to life.” – Rhonda [15:29]
Photos: Use early for prompting stories, then curate for relevance after writing.

10. Tools of the Writing Trade & AI ([17:47])

List includes: scanning hardware, file backup solutions, graphics tools, transcription services, and increasingly, AI-powered features.
How NOT to use AI: Never delegate your narrative voice or let AI genericize your writing—preserve “imperfections” for authenticity.

"The first rule I would say is never delegate your voice... your language, the way you really speak and the way you write is so much more interesting in its imperfections." – Rhonda [18:22]
How to Use AI:
- Transcription (Zoom, HappyScribe)
- Summarizing long transcripts
- Extracting key timeline points and citations
- Proofreading/outlining
- Prompts: Ask "What am I missing?" for critique and completeness.
  
  “I have AI extract the timeline for me... ‘Pull every date, every major life event. Give me a bullet point of the events and give me a citation... and then format that citation in Chicago Manual of Style.’” – Rhonda [19:42]

11. Writing Platforms and Practical Tips ([21:13])

For small projects (< 50 pages): Word or Google Docs, with table of contents.
For larger books/more complexity: Scrivener—facilitates layered/nested outlines, allows seeing research alongside writing, easy reorganization.

"If my project is going to be a full book... Scrivener is so much easier to keep everything organized and moved around." – Rhonda [21:22]
Scrivener exports to Word, PDF, Kindle, or segments for flexibility.

12. Rhonda’s Final Advice ([24:04])

Attention Is the Currency: Organize well and minimize distractions—close everything but your manuscript while writing.
One-draft Flow: Try writing your first draft as much as possible from memory in one sitting, using placeholders instead of getting stuck looking up every detail. Then add research in later rounds.

"Just write what you know and get it down as quickly as possible, and then just use a placeholder for any time you need to look up a citation or a quote. That way you won’t get bogged down..." – Rhonda [24:04]
Use AI for Outlines and Critique: Summarize drafts and ask for missing elements or ways to improve.

"[AI] reinforced what you’ve already done. So I love to ask it, how could I make this better? What am I missing?" – Rhonda [26:05]

13. Further Resources

Rhonda’s website: Evalogue Life – Free tools and articles, including a guide to transcription tools.

“My website is Evalogue Life, E V A L O G U E L I F E. I have a ton of free tools there...” [27:08]

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

On Early Organization:

"It doesn't feel burdensome to do a little bit of housekeeping at the beginning. Right. Because it's fun." – Rhonda [02:36]
On Audio vs. Video:

"People will forgive bad video, but they won’t forgive bad audio." – Rhonda [10:53]
On Imperfections:

"Your language, the way you really speak and the way you write, is so much more interesting in its imperfections." – Rhonda [18:22]
On Scope Creep:

“How often have you thought the scope was going to be something small... and then it grabs ahold of me and it won't let me go, and I find it is with me for the next few years.” – Rhonda [04:53]
On AI Summaries and Critique:

"My very favorite AI prompt of all time... is ‘what am I missing?’" – Rhonda [26:05]

Timestamps for Key Segments

[01:22] – Rhonda’s approach to conquering the blank page and getting organized
[02:36] – Essential files and folder organization
[04:35] – Importance of defining the scope
[06:16] – Using a timeline as the project backbone
[07:30] – Interviewing as the first narrative step
[09:02] – Tools for capturing interviews
[10:53] – Why audio quality matters most
[11:47] – Turning research and interviews into narrative
[13:21] – How vignettes work and transform memories into stories
[15:17] – Choosing which details and photos to keep
[17:47] – Tools of the trade and integrating AI
[18:22] – Why not to let AI take over your voice
[19:42] – How AI can extract and structure a timeline from transcripts
[21:22] – Organizing and drafting: When to use Scrivener
[24:04] – Mindset, attention, and a fast first draft
[26:05] – Using AI to find what’s missing and improve your project
[27:08] – Where to find more resources from Rhonda

Tone and Style

For More

Evalogue Life: Free resources for storytellers – evalogue.life
Family Tree Magazine: familytreemagazine.com/podcast
Featured article: “In the Right Order,” Family Tree Magazine (Nov/Dec 2025)

Organizing Family History Writing Projects – An Interview with Rhonda Lauritzen

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Summary

Family Tree Magazine Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Started: Conquering the Blank Page ([00:54])

2. Essential Files and Folders ([02:36])

3. Defining Scope Early ([04:35])

4. Building and Using a Timeline ([06:16])

5. Collecting Oral Histories & Interviews ([07:12])

6. Favorite Tools for Recording Interviews ([09:02])

7. Assembling the Narrative ([11:31])

8. The Power of Vignettes ([13:06])

9. Choosing What to Include ([15:17])

10. Tools of the Writing Trade & AI ([17:47])

11. Writing Platforms and Practical Tips ([21:13])

12. Rhonda’s Final Advice ([24:04])

13. Further Resources

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone and Style

For More

Summary

Family Tree Magazine Podcast

Episode Overview

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Getting Started: Conquering the Blank Page ([00:54])

2. Essential Files and Folders ([02:36])

3. Defining Scope Early ([04:35])

4. Building and Using a Timeline ([06:16])

5. Collecting Oral Histories & Interviews ([07:12])

6. Favorite Tools for Recording Interviews ([09:02])

7. Assembling the Narrative ([11:31])

8. The Power of Vignettes ([13:06])

9. Choosing What to Include ([15:17])

10. Tools of the Writing Trade & AI ([17:47])

11. Writing Platforms and Practical Tips ([21:13])

12. Rhonda’s Final Advice ([24:04])

13. Further Resources

Notable Quotes and Memorable Moments

Timestamps for Key Segments

Tone and Style

For More