STORY GUIDELINES

 

THANK YOU so much for wanting to share a story about a hero in your life!

Here are a few quick guidelines and points for you to keep in mind while writing your story.

For this specific publication, we want to read stories about the heroes that have inspired you as a member of the New York State Fire Service. People connect to stories about other people and are inspired by someone who is truly passionate about what they are writing. Feel passionate and your reader will as well.

Sometimes we have a hard time getting in the groove for writing a story.  How can you get started?  What is the best way to get your story across on paper?  Where to begin?

You already know how to tell a story…

Well, you already know how to tell a story since you likely do it every day.  Whenever you tell someone about something that happened to you, or something you or someone else did, you are telling a story.  When you tell someone about what you did on your vacation, about something that happened to you on the way to work, or even about your day at work, you are telling a story.  It's easy.  The question for many of us is how to put these stories down on paper.

Speak from the heart…

The most engaging stories are spoken from the heart.  One of the easiest ways to get started is to think about your story as if you are telling it to a good friend.  Think conversationally, and write conversationally, just like you would speak it aloud.  Remember, the best stories are those that come from the heart – stories that express your emotions be they sad, joyful, excited - and that help others to feel what you felt.  If you feel emotions when writing your story, you are likely getting that emotion across in a way that will enable a reader to feel the same way.

Create a scene…

In your story, create a scene - or pictures with words - so that the reader can relate to your story. Be descriptive and use all your senses. Draw the reader into what you see, hear, smell, taste. Readers will become absorbed in your story and become inspired by your words.

Your story should have a beginning, middle and an end. As the reader, we want to experience your journey.

Some questions you may want to ask yourself…

Who is your hero?
Where does your story take place?
What did your hero do to earn such an important role in your life?
What was the moment you recall as your  “I will never forget this” hero moment?
How does your hero affect you as a member of the Fire Service?
What have you learned from your hero?
How have you grown or been transformed, motivated or inspired by your hero?

Ready to begin?

Remember: to write a great story, speak from your heart.

Imagine yourself having a conversation with a good friend and telling them about your hero.  Write conversationally, as if you are talking to that friend.

If you can make a reader FEEL what you feel about your hero, feel the same kind of inspiration, sadness, fear, awe, joy, excitement – whatever it is you feel – you have likely written a great story.

If you can make the reader laugh, cry, feel something, or somehow move them emotionally, you have probably written a good story.

Tell the truth, in your own words, as if you were talking to a friend. A good story is a good story – even if it needs editing and spell-checking. You’re My Hero® has in-house editors who can help if needed.

Get right into the story.  Grab the reader right away.  Each sentence should “hook” the reader so that they want to read the next sentence.  For example:

	A WEAK beginning:  I want to tell you a story about the day we went to a large fire at…..
	A STRONG beginning:  Where’s Jamie?  Where’s Jamie?  Oh my God, where did he go?  As we looked around the burning building, we couldn’t see him anywhere…

Ideally, your story is no less than 300 words and no more than 1500 words.  Just remember, more words do not necessarily make a better story.

If you are stuck, read a couple of the stories below to get in the mood for writing the story about your hero. 

Click Here to Read a Sample Story

I'm Ready To Submit My Story