So You Have A Story To Tell

Sharing your personal story is unlike sharing any other type of story. It puts you in a state of vulnerability and, as anyone who is familiar with Brené Brown knows, vulnerability can be terrifying. But vulnerability can also be incredibly empowering. Telling your story is one of the most powerful things you can do, both for yourself, and for those who read your story. As author and motivational speaker Iyanla Vanzant once said, “When you stand and share your story in an empowering way, your story will heal you and your story will heal somebody else.”

In this module, you’ll put all of your thoughts together, and come up with a plan. You’ll consider some very basic questions, which will give you an overall vision to keep in mind as you move forward.

So let’s get started …

Answer the following questions. You may need some time to sit in silent reflection before you write down your answers. Don’t force it. Take the time you need, so that you answer the questions in a way that feels right to you. 

(You can write down your answers by downloading the pdf or in a notebook)

1. What is my story? (Treat this like an “elevator pitch” … what you would say to someone in the time it takes to ride up or down in an elevator. Just a brief summary of your story overall, 3075 words long.)

2. Why do I want to share it?

3. Who do I want to share it with?

(These last two questions will help to determine the tone of your story, and potentially what is included and what is not, as you get writing.)

* * *
Now that you’ve given some thought to the what, why, and who questions, think about the how. What format do you want your story to end up being? There are three options, or paths, to choose from. Check off the path that you’d like to follow.

(You can write down your answers by downloading the pdf or in a notebook)

Path 1:
I am writing a short version of my story for my eyes only. I just want to get it out.

Path 2:
I am writing a short version of my story, for publication in the Braving Healing Library, a magazine, or an anthology with other authors.

Path 3:
I would like to write a full memoir, to be published as a standalone book

  

Now, take a deep breath! You’ve got the ball rolling, and that’s a huge accomplishment. Just making the decision to share your story is a huge accomplishment.

Here’s where you can regroup, and write down any thoughts or feelings you might be experiencing after completing this module. We’ve included a full-size picture of the emotion wheel below. Again, you can share this with us if you’d like, or it can be for your eyes only.

Now ask yourself, “How do I feel?” “Why do I feel that?”
(You can write down your answers by downloading the pdf or in a notebook)