FAQ
How do I tell a story?
5 Step Story Structure:
1) The Setup
Where were you in life when this began? What was the “deal”?
2) The Inciting Incident
What motivated you to want to give, get or do something?
3) The Rising Action
What hope or fear drove you? What did you stand to gain or lose?
4) The Main Event / The Climax
What finally changed this situation, for better or worse? Did you succeed or fail or feel a shift?
5) The Resolution
Why is it daring to be sharing this? Why would a stranger listening to this story find it significant, and worth remembering?
What changed for you?
Who were you before vs. who were you after? What is the contrast?
Example: I Can See Clearly Now 2020 Is Gone
1) The Setup
Where were you in life when this began? What was your “deal”?
Two months into covid, left retina detached, felt even more isolated, began reaching out and reaching in
2) The Inciting Incident
What motivated you to want to give, get or do something?
Could not see, so, closed eyes and dreamed. Felt helpless. Intense desire to focus, DO something useful
3) The Rising Action
What hope or fear drove you? What did you stand to gain or lose?
a) after 50, I started telling stories and found new voice, had a vision that all women 50+ have a voice, connect and contribute to society
b) it’s been 14 years! I’ve been stagnant
c) now, before I lose sight (again), I want to help myself and others tell their story, find their voice
4) The Main Event / The Climax
What finally changed this situation, for better or worse? Did you succeed or fail or feel a shift?
(I do 5 things at one time, and accomplish NADA and a stiff neck 😊 )
I turned the corner by QUIETING my mind and STOP being busy. Do ONE thing—still working on this.
5) The Resolution
Why is it daring to be sharing this? Why would a stranger listening to this story find it significant, and worth remembering?
We all have something we want to do sitting in the pit of our gut. I’m taking steps to ACT, tell my story. DO, let it out into the universe. If I don’t, it will eat my gut. You may have this thing too.
What changed for you?
Who were you before vs. who were you after? What is the contrast?
I am less fearful that what I do is right or wrong. It does not matter; what matters is I keep trying/DOing.
How do I post a story?
Go to “Share Your Story” and follow the prompts. You can post a doc., audio or video story. Stories under 950 words or about 5 minutes work best.
Upload a photo or an original image to be featured or we’ll place an image for you.
If you have any problems, email mahani@storysistas.com, or text/whatsapp +1 512 800 2541.
Can I post anonymously?
Yes. You can choose a pseudonym or put Anonymous. Upload an original image to be featured.
Who can post a story?
Can I post a story in a language other than English?
Who or what is StorySistas?
StorySistas is a community of women 50+ who connect through sharing personal stories at gatherings and online at StorySistas.com. It was founded in April 2016 by Mahani Zubedy in Austin, Texas.
How do I start StorySistas in my town?
Pick a day to gather and a schedule that you can stick to. Eg. First Saturday every other month.
Secure a location like a public library that allows sack lunch or a restaurant with private space. StorySistas gatherings are social events, allow for lunch or coffee/tea so women can meet new friends and old, have a meal or snack, and share stories.
Because of corona virus we now meet online only.
You can start your own community or join us the first Saturday of every month at 11AM CT.
Invite women 50+ to tell a personal story on any topic, about 5 minutes long.
Announce and promote the gathering via meetups or social media one to two months ahead.
Request one line about the story and 30 word half serious half fun bio from storytellers.
Announce on meetup or social media story titles/tellers and one line about each story, a week before gathering. (Optional)
Email story tellers the program before the gathering.
At the gathering
Welcome women and provide name tags. Have a sign-up sheet.
Storytellers who agree to be videoed sign an agreement.
Allow an hour of socializing before starting story telling.
Welcome women, thank story tellers and women for coming, read bios of story tellers in the order of stories and start the story telling. When there’s more than 6 story tellers, break into 2 groups with a 5 minute bathroom break.
Thank storytellers, thank everyone, announce the next meet, take a group photo. (Optional)
Note
Samples of announcements, emails to storytellers, flyers, agreements, etc. will be emailed to you.
StorySistas is one word with the middle S in big font. Use CocoGothic or Calibri
Questions? Email mahani@storysistas.com
T H A N K Y O U !