Creator Guide

Congratulations, you are about to embark on a very special journey.

Here you will find guidance and tips, to help prepare your content. Let’s get started….

  • Before you start writing, read through the guide questions below and see what memories might be rekindled.

  • Think about the ‘tone’ you want to achieve;

  • A conversational tone is reflective of how we speak and allows you to break standard writing conventions.

    • This style works well if you want your content to be more anecdotal e.g. a series of short stories, or bullet point lists.

  • A formal approach would consist of longer, structured sentences

    • This is well suited for essay style content where detailed, complex stories are being told.

  • Plan the key elements you want to write about, and then add more detail.

  • Monitor your word count but don’t worry if you fall short.

  • Focus on THEM as opposed to YOU.

  • It might be helpful to look at photos and videos.

  • This is your time to remember the best things about them.

  • We want to capture the essence of who they were and what they meant to you.

  • This is not a place to linger on the loss.  This gift of storytelling is where you keep their memory alive.

  • Once you are happy, please email a Word document version (or similar software)

Before you start writing, take some time to consider these questions. Do they provoke a memory or story for you?

  • Where/how did you meet?
    What was their music taste, did it change?
    What were they proud of?
    What was the funniest/naughtiest thing they did?
    What would make them laugh?
    What irritated them?
    Did they have a role model/hero?
    Did they have any particular mannerisms or special sayings?
    What was their general take on life?
    Did they have a nickname?
    Did they have a nickname for you?
    What was the best/worst decision they ever made?
    What was their favourite book, film, TV show, holiday, car, food, drink?
    Did they have any traditions e.g. at Christmas, on holiday?
    Do you see any of their traits in their children?
    Did they have any unrealised burning ambitions or a bucket list?
    What was their most prized possession?
    Is there a song/place that reminds you of them?
    Where were they happiest?
    Did they have a favourite lyric or poem?
    What did they want for their children?

  • Pizza at home or 5 star restaurant?
    Dressed to kill or keep it comfy?
    ‘Winning is everything’ or ‘It’s the taking part that counts?’
    Realist or idealist?
    Head or heart?
    City or countryside?
    Summer or winter?
    Mountains or beach?
    Live to work or work to live?
    Cocktails or coffee?
    Life and soul of the party or happy in the background?

  • Adventurous Affectionate Ambitious Artistic Brave Broadminded Calm Charming Cheerful Compassionate Confident Content Courageous Creative Determined Dependable Diplomatic Dynamic Easy-going Emotional Energetic Extroverted Fair-minded Forgiving Frank Friendly Generous Gentle Happy Hard-working Helpful Honest Humble Imaginative Impatient Independent Intelligent Introverted Joyful Kind Laid-back Loyal Meticulous Modest Optimistic Organised Passionate Patient Powerful Practical Pro-active Quiet Quick-witted Rational Reliable Reserved Resourceful Romantic Sensible Sensitive Shy Sincere Sociable Spontaneous Talented Thoughtful Tolerant Tough Trendy Trustworthy Unique Versatile Wise Witty

There are a variety of ways to present your stories:

Writing Styles:

Describe a photo

Tell the story behind the photo

Anecdotal

A collection of shorter stories or anecdotes

Essay

Describe a series of events or story components in a longer, fluid format

Bullet Points

Create a list to highlight key attributes

You will be asked to provide 5 key words that best describe them. These will be used to create a bespoke word cloud, that will appear at the beginning of the book.

Word Clouds: