Tips

Do you have a story or experience you would like to share with us? After reading this guide, we invite you to share your story here. The stories that shape us are:

• Specific
  • Can your story answer the questions: Who? What? When? Where? How?
     
• Personal
  • Were you/are you a participant in the story?
     
• Factual
  • Is your story based on true events with details that we can verify, or you can corroborate?
     
• Memorable
  • What is it about this story that makes it stand out in your memory?
     
• Meaningful
  • How does your story connect to our mission?
     
• Visual
  • Can you provide at least one original photo or visual to help tell your story?

Story is sacred. It holds the power to transcend debate, division and disagreement. It equips us to pass down history and create legacy. Story is healing because it empowers us to acknowledge and articulate the truth. Story is enlightening, and it is within all of us. By requiring one who shares and one who receives, story is also a collective and a connective experience. Whether it captures transformative experiences or small wonders, story shapes us.

Tone
We’re here to partner with you to create something beautiful. When writing your story, focus on authenticity rather than perfection. A story with integrity rises above demands and expectations to share something honest. Just as people of strong character are about something bigger than themselves – stories of strong character are about something larger than themselves. A powerful story has intrinsic value. It is not promotional. When writing from personal experience, remember to be yourself and that your perspective is yours alone.

Length
“I didn't have time to write a short letter, so I wrote a long one instead.” -Mark Twain
A memorable and thoughtfully written story is concise. Aim for 500 to 800 words total.

Style
An easy-to-follow story is written in intentional order, with vivid verbs and in a consistent voice. Choose first-person (I, we) or third-person (he, she, they) voice and write consistently with it. A meaningful story is carried by clear language. An engaging story moves toward its outcome. An authentically told story is both economical and descriptive with its language. Write with strong verbs and use adjectives sparingly. Avoid superlatives as much as possible (best, worst, biggest, smallest, most, least) as they contribute to a tone of exaggeration.

Access the Writing Style Guide here.