Writing Tips
Writing a story for your leaf honouree can be very emotional and many people have told us getting started is the hardest part. We hope these tips can help – if not please contact us at info@waterfrontfriends.org and one of our volunteers would be happy to help!
Things to keep in mind when writing the Bio/Story for the person you are honouring:
- Keep it short (500 words or less)
- Highlight their main achievements and/or the main reasons they have influenced you
- Let your personality show, since you are honouring this person; make the writing sound like your own.
- Make it easy to read (short paragraphs)
Suggestions of info to include when writing your Bio / Story:
Early Years
- When and where was your honouree born?
- Who was the most influential person to them growing up?
- What were some things they did for fun as a child?
- What activities did they enjoy in school (primary, high school, college/university)?
- Where did they attend high school?
- What was their favourite school subject?
- Did they play sports? Which ones?
- Were they involved in any clubs?
- Was there a teacher that was particularly influential?
- Did they have a teen idol? Who?
Education
- Did they attend college? If so, which one? If not, why?
- Why did they decide to attend college?
- Did they get a degree? In what?
- Career
- What was their first occupation?
- What is their most significant accomplishment as a professional?
- What would be their ideal job?
- Were they ever in the military?
Family
- How did they meet their spouse?
- Do they have children? If so, how many and what ages/sexes?
- Where are the children now?
General
- Do they recall any wartime experiences?
- What are some of their favourite things to do now?
- What is their most memorable travel experience?
- What is their happiest memory?
- What accomplishments are they most proud of?
- How do they hope to be remembered?
- Who is their biggest fan?
What do they like to do in their spare time? - What is their greatest hope?
- What are the main lessons they’ve learned in life?
When telling your story remember to include:
- When/where the honouree was born
- A little history on the honouree (see above sample questions)
- How you first met the honouree
- What your relationship is to the honouree
- How they have influenced you (Do they just brighten your day or have they changed the course of your life?)
- What you have accomplished because of their influence
- Why you have chosen to honor/appreciate them in this way
For additional writing tips visit:
http://owl.english.purdue.edu/owl/resource/673/01/
(Used with permission)