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STORY THEMES
When you submit an idea, you will be asked which of the (9) Story Themes below your story best fits under. Each has its own page, and on that page is a sample short memoir and a companion essay for you to use as a springboard for your own ideas.
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it is recommended that you take the free Catering2Us 'Finding An Idea For A Short Memoir & Writing Tips To Get You Started' Workshop. It's an intimate (limit 3 participants), hour long No-Writing workshop! You'll sharpen your idea for a story by answering a series of questions, and then learn the '(10) Techniques' that'll help you brainstorm, research, structure and flesh-out your short memoir.
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HOMEWORK!
After taking the workshop you can study each sample story on the theme pages and analyze how they use the '(10) Techniques'
Story Categories
OUR WORK
PAID & UNPAID
Seeking Stories About Your Work Experiences
(including volunteering, internships, caring for family,
small business startups, non-profit or artistic projects)
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Describe a situation that highlights the unique circumstances of your work and shows the character of your co-workers. What has it taught you? How has it changed you? Is it like home?
Sample Story: 'Marching In The Mud'
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2) SHOUTOUT!
Describe a situation that highlights an aspect of the work that you love -- a story about a leader; co-workers; the people you serve; the workplace or the work itself ---- and it's impact on you.
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Sample Story: 'The First Meal'
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3) AMAZING MOMENTS
Write about an amazing occurrence (good or bizarre) that you experienced or witnessed at work, and how it impacted on you and others.
Sample Story:
'Princess Diana's Gowns'
OUR CULTURE
Seeking Stories About What
Impacts You Culturally
(where you focus your learning; how you express your creativity)
'TRAVEL': TO TAKE A JOURNEY
Share a story about how experiencing new customs, arts, or achievements of a particular group, individual, or place took you on a personal journey.
Sample Story: 'Four Forks'
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2) EATING
'EAT': TO CONSUME & DEVOUR
Share a story that demonstrates how essential to your well-being and happiness your ongoing exposure to a particular art or culture is.
Sample Story: 'But I Need The Loot'
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3) GROWING & MAKING
Share a story showing the importance to you of learning, trying new endeavors, or creating out of what you have. Does it benefit others around you?
Sample Story: '62 & 64'
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OUR LIFE
Seeking Stories About Your Interconnectedness
With The World & Your Unique Internal Reality
STORY THEMES
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1) PETS, KIDS, & HEARTBEATS
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Share a story about an encounter that gave you a deeply felt experience of being connected to other living beings or to our planet -- and therefore to yourself.
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Sample Story: 'MSM'
Pages Coming Soon!
You can submit story ideas now
2) SCARIEST MOMENT EVER
(Before Now)
Describe a difficult, disturbing, or hurtful situation and how you look back on it now. What helped you survive it and become strong and focused again? Did it teach you anything that helps you today?
3) US TEACHERS
Let's recognize the teachers among us! We can all become teachers, even if for one moment and to one person. This is a time of everyday heroes showing us how to make difficult situations tolerable; plan a better future; and inspiring us to be both more caring and more curious. Write about a 'little' teaching moment. You could have been the teacher, student, or observer.
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