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“We need to be the authors of our own lives.”
~ Peter SengeFrom Idea to Impact: The Non-Fiction Author's Guide to Bulletproof Story Ideas.
Introduction:
Embarking on the journey of writing a non-fiction book is an exciting yet daunting endeavor. One of the initial challenges authors face is finding compelling story ideas that resonate with their audience.
Personally, I used this exercise to come up with story ideas for my first book, Falling Down Getting UP. I've also used it to create entertaining stories on countless podcasts and used the story ideas for social media posts and keynote talks.
In this blog post, we'll explore a creative exercise to help you generate impactful topics by reflecting on key moments from your life - and turning them into endless story ideas.
Before you start, be sure you have something to start writing with, whether a notebook or your laptop
Divide Your Life into 7-Year Segments:
Begin by dividing your life into distinct 7-year segments, starting from childhood to the present day. Reflect on each segment individually, recalling significant events, experiences, challenges, and moments of inspiration. Here is a great template you can use.
Reflect on Impactful Moments:
Within each 7-year segment, identify 3 to 5 impactful moments that left a lasting impression on you. These moments can range from personal achievements and milestones to challenges, setbacks, or transformative experiences.
Explore Difficult and Inspiring Moments:
Embrace both the difficult and inspiring moments from your past. Consider how challenges shaped your character, resilience, and worldview, while also acknowledging moments of triumph, growth, and self-discovery.
Write About Each Segment:
Once you've identified impactful moments from each 7-year segment, delve deeper into each event by writing about 500 words on it. Capture the essence of the experience, its emotional significance, and the lessons learned.
Determine the Most Impactful Event:
After reflecting on and writing about each segment, take time to assess which event had the most profound impact on you. Consider the lasting effects it had on your life, values, beliefs, and aspirations.
Conclusion:
Engaging in this exercise not only helps you uncover potential story ideas for your non-fiction book but also provides valuable insights into your own journey of personal growth and development. By exploring impactful moments from your past, you'll discover rich material that has the power to resonate with readers and make a meaningful impact through your writing.
This exercise has been instrumental in creating my own stories, both long and short, I'ts been especially helpful in developing clarity whenever I need to make a point about a story,
As my friend Les Brown says, "never tell a story without a point and never tell a point without a story."
What's your story?
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