The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society invites community members to a free, in-person writing workshop led by professional biographer and instructor Rhonda Lauritzen.

Titled Beyond the Report: Storytelling Essentials for Reluctant Writers, the three-part workshop will open Saturday, March 15 at First Presbyterian Church, 21 E. Constance Ave., Santa Barbara.

Geared to both experienced genealogists and those new to writing family stories, the hands-on course is designed for anyone looking to craft compelling narratives without compromising the truth.

Participants will learn how to build a narrative structure, balance details, and refine their writing to make a lasting impact, the Genealogical Society said.

Register at SBGen.org/Calendar. The workshop will not be recorded, so attendees must be present in person to participate.

Workshop schedule: (Times approximate and subject to change)
9-9:30 a.m.: Brief Society Business Meeting
9:30-10:30 a.m.: Part One – Establish Sound Structural Elements
11 a.m.-noon: Part Two – Find the “Goldilocks Zone” of Detail

Part Three – Revise for Impact will take place at a later date.

Attendees are encouraged to bring iPads, laptops, or notebooks to engage in interactive activities. A packet of workshop materials will be provided, and light refreshments and beverages will be available.

Lauritzen is a professional biographer with multiple published books and a regular speaker at conferences. She has an MBA from the University of Utah, and served as CEO of her family’s business.

Her writing began with her parents’ family business saga, and in 2016 she founded Evalogue.Life, a network of interviewers and storytellers that help people tell their own stories.

Since then, she has been hired to tell the stories of families, buildings and cities. Her next two books to be published this fall are “A Child in Berlin” (Post Hill Press), and “Creative Insecurity: Lean Into the Unknown and Unleash Your Inner Misfit” (Simon & Schuster).

The Santa Barbara County Genealogical Society is an all-volunteer organization with some 500 members, and a 5,000-square-foot genealogical research library featuring more than 19,000 books and a computer lab with access to nine genealogical subscription websites.

Annual memberships start at $40. Visit SBGen.org to learn more about membership benefits, events, presentations, or to become a member.