A Quarterly
E-Newsletter full of tips
and tidbits to inspire your
whole family to
write and
draw from life.
The Gift of Family Writing
by Jill Novak
The
Girlhood Home Companion
The
Girlhood Home Companion
Back Issue
Album
Sketch Baby Barn Swallows
with Jill Novak
Welcome to Remembrance Press.
It is our
mission is to help you impart the God-given gifts of writing and drawing to you
and your children. Every day is filled with stories just waiting to be
captured—and with the right tools, you can help your family do just that.
Become inspired, help your family create a legacy of memories about the
people, places,
and things that touch your hearts!
It’s never too late when
you journal from life!
In
1998, when my oldest daughter, Claire, turned 12, we began producing a
publication for girls called
The Girlhood Home Companion.
Suddenly we found ourselves on a
wonderful journey we hadn’t planned. We had no idea that writing together as
a family could be so fulfilling. What started as a project to make writing real, soon became a record of our family’s life stories
and a testimony of God’s faithfulness. We began to look at everyday moments
in a whole new light and life took on deeper meaning as we remembered and
recorded those moments, together.
The Gift of Family Writing is a result of what I’ve discovered
over the last eight years from teaching my four children (pre-school through
high school) to journal their life stories. Just like your children, they
are so unique, with different learning styles and temperaments. But I have
learned that all children – not just the naturally gifted ones – can
confidently express themselves if they are taught to value their life
experiences and write from what they know.
There are many facets to family writing: journaling with children (toddlers
to teens), interactive
journaling,
letter writing,
and personal essays, tributes and memoirs are just a few of the topics I cover in The
Gift of Family Writing. I invite you to join me in the pages of this
website and blog to catch a vision for family writing. It's never too late
to begin keeping the book of remembrance!
"Since hearing your seminar and
reading your book, my children and I have been writing more than ever
before. In fact, we have started a family magazine, and are writing reviews
of movies, books and places we've been. It has so motivated my children like
nothing ever has before. I can't tell you what a joy it has been. It is
still a struggle for my 15 year old dyslexic son, but what he has written
has been absolutely outstanding. So from the bottom of my heart, thank you!"
Leslie K
"I just wanted to thank
you for spending the past couple of days with me...I have a 12 year old who
is a reluctant writer (with dysgraphia and all to make it even more
interesting!). WELL, I spent the past couple of days listening to you over
and over while I have been "carschooling" LOL... and you inspired me, so I
bought some journals and commited to helping my kids write their life
stories...You blessed me abundantly... may the Lord bless you in return!"
Shannon
"I have just been sitting on our family lounge,
hand quilting during a quiet moment (rare - because we are a home full of 10
! ) and taking the time to listen to your CD about family writing...I have
been so blessed and deeply encouraged to cherish the special everyday
moments as I listened to your stories. How valuable it is to see life
through that perspective and capture it on paper. I had started doing that
recently; then your book arrived and now, the spoken message that brings it
all to life and spurs me on. Thank you so much for sharing your heart and
your family stories! I look forward to telling other mums in our homeschool
support group about it all. God bless you and thanks again for taking the
time to post the CD on."
Barbara S
The Pebbly Brook Farm Series by Claire Novak
Character Building Stories for Boys and Girls
On Audio CD narrated by Jill Novak
Won't you stay and visit for a while?
Enjoy these uplifting articles.
Faith
Persevering in Faith
Art
The Making of an Artist
Nature Journaling with Children
For the Love
of Bugs
Jill's Nature Journal
Jill's Sketchbook
Writing with Children
Writing with Teens and Adults
Writing
the Personal Essay
Visit Through the Windowpane
Visit Jill's
Website Blog
Visit Jill's Homeschool Blog