Getting started with your story

Stuck? Here are some tips to get you going.

Tips

Imagine your story

What do you want your story to be about? A lot of things happened, what are the key things you want to focus your story on?

What do you want to use to tell your story:

  • Written – prose, poem?
  • Video?
  • Sound recording?
  • Cartoon?
  • Artwork?
  • Interview?
  • Combination?

What is the message you want to convey in your story for other people?

Structure your story

Start by introducing the story, setting the scene and letting the audience know who and where you are.

In the middle, tell the story of what happened and how you felt. At the end tell how it all ended and wrap up the story – maybe end on a positive note?

Lead the audience through the story. If you want to jump around from past to present, make sure you bring your audience with you.

Be clear about what you want to share

Your story will be public – anyone could read it. Be clear on what you are prepared to share. Things that are private to you don’t need to be included in the story.

If your story mentions other people, make sure you tell them and get their agreement to put their name in the story, change their name or leave them out.

Things to remember

  • Writing or talking about what happened to you could bring up unhappy memories. This is a normal part of the process and it is OK to feel upset during the process of writing or telling your story.
  • Some feelings are very personal and not all emotions and things that happened need to be included in your story. The decision about what to share is completely up to you.

Support

  • View a video on how to engage in a safe creative process. Video by Tania Rose (Art Therapist)
  • If you want to talk to someone, we have a dedicated support person as part of our project. See the Wellbeing Resources page for further information about arranging a no-obligation chat and other support options. 
  • Are you looking for mentoring or resources to help you tell your story? We might be able to link you to people who can help. Contact us to find out more

Technical

Maximum Length

  • Text – 5,000 words (about 5 pages typed)
  • Sound – 5 mins
  • Video – 5 mins

Maximum file size

1Gb / 1000Mb

Things to remember

  • To avoid disappointment, always check your file size before uploading.
  • The smaller the file size, the quicker your submission will upload.
  • Don’t include unlicensed audio / music in your submission.

Formats Supported

Text
  • docx
  • pdf
  • txt
Audio / Sound
  • mp3
  • mp4-audio
  • wav
Images
  • jpg
  • jpeg
  • png
Video
  • mp4

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Thank you to Mick Webber of Brimstone Bush Photography who has kindly supplied some of the photos on this website.