Uncover, write, and share your best stories
Stories are like waystations. Brief moments when we stop to share what we know, where we've been, and what we've seen.
Stories bring us together, make us laugh, and teach us.
And there are so many ways to share your stories ... in letters, essays, poems, books, and art.
Why share your stories?
People love stories, and you've got some good ones.
I first discovered the power of stories by writing letters.
It was a letter I wrote to my in-laws with a story about the neighbor's chickens.
When my in-laws received the letter, they called to say the letter arrived and asked about the chickens. The next time we saw them, they asked about the chickens. And again, the time after that.
It was the equivalent of a home run for a letter writer.
It was the first time I'd started a letter with a story, and my readers were hooked. Since then, I've written lots of stories and two books.
How can you share your stories?
Like me, you can write letters, write a short essay, a free-style poem, or condense it into just one sentence.
Paint, collage, or draw an image that captures your story.
Make a map of your story.
Start a blog (one you share, or keep to yourself), publish a collection in a book, or create single-story zines.
Type them, handwrite them, or illustrate them.
What to write about?
The stories you tell could be about pets you've had, your first job, how you started your business, or what it was like that first ... and only time ... you went to summer camp. Write about what you've seen, where you've been, and what you learned.
Don't worry about whether or not you're a writer. You tell stories every day. And the more you write, the better your writing.
Just remember, you're not writing your life history, just one story at a time.
One event, one thought about something you saw or experienced.
It's our common experiences, disappointments, life-affirming joy, and successes that people connect with.
People love stories, and you've got some good ones.
Share them.
Stories bring us together, make us laugh, and teach us.
And there are so many ways to share your stories ... in letters, essays, poems, books, and art.
Why share your stories?
- to revisit and capture an experience
- share what you've done, and what you've learned
- because you want to be a better writer, illustrator, or artist
People love stories, and you've got some good ones.
I first discovered the power of stories by writing letters.
It was a letter I wrote to my in-laws with a story about the neighbor's chickens.
When my in-laws received the letter, they called to say the letter arrived and asked about the chickens. The next time we saw them, they asked about the chickens. And again, the time after that.
It was the equivalent of a home run for a letter writer.
It was the first time I'd started a letter with a story, and my readers were hooked. Since then, I've written lots of stories and two books.
How can you share your stories?
Like me, you can write letters, write a short essay, a free-style poem, or condense it into just one sentence.
Paint, collage, or draw an image that captures your story.
Make a map of your story.
Start a blog (one you share, or keep to yourself), publish a collection in a book, or create single-story zines.
Type them, handwrite them, or illustrate them.
What to write about?
The stories you tell could be about pets you've had, your first job, how you started your business, or what it was like that first ... and only time ... you went to summer camp. Write about what you've seen, where you've been, and what you learned.
Don't worry about whether or not you're a writer. You tell stories every day. And the more you write, the better your writing.
Just remember, you're not writing your life history, just one story at a time.
One event, one thought about something you saw or experienced.
It's our common experiences, disappointments, life-affirming joy, and successes that people connect with.
People love stories, and you've got some good ones.
Share them.
Pausing to explore small wins and wonder in short stories
p.s. Get the Story Starter Calendar and you'll have a week's worth of ideas delivered to your inbox, every Sunday.
It's free, full of prompts ... and I'd love for you to join us.
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