Write Things: On turning personal experiences into stories

Hello writers,

This topic has been coming up a lot lately, so I wanted to explore it here.

Personal stories are popular and common in my writing groups and classes.

Here’s the biggest gap I see between an amateur writer and one who’s ready to publish. 

Idea: On Process

It’s easy to tell someone what happened to us. We do it all the time—over coffee, during a chat with a friend, or while venting about life’s twists and turns. But turning those moments into a story? That’s an entirely different process.

You might think, Trev, a story is a story. Sure, some are better than others, but they’re basically the same thing. Well, I hate to break it to you—you’re wrong. Explaining what happened to us is not the same as crafting a piece of art that allows the reader to experience what we experienced.

This is the fundamental shift memoir writers—and really, any personal storytellers—must embrace: don’t explain; show.

Don’t tell us why someone did what they did; show what they did. Don’t blame or justify; just show us what happened and how it made you feel. See the difference?

One approach tells the reader what to think—it's a lecture. The other invites the reader into the story, giving them room to experience it, feel it, and draw their own conclusions. That’s the magic of storytelling.

Our job as writers is to craft an experience, not hand over answers. If I’m reading a guide about the Canadian Shield, sure, tell me the facts. But if I’m reading a story? I want to feel it. Let me hike through the wilderness alongside your words.

So the next time you write, ask yourself: am I lecturing, or am I creating an experience?

Inspiration: “The moment I knew…”

Set a timer for four minutes and write continuously on the prompt above. This week, lean into the images, feelings, or ideas that feel important. Afterward, decide whether to revise, continue, or leave it as is.

Forward someone this email and ask them to do it too! Then share what you’ve written. Sharing imperfect work is a powerful antidote to the poison that is our inner critics. 

Invitation: To tell a story

Next time you’re talking with a friend or family member about something that happened to you, try shifting from just telling them what happened to fully describing it. What did you see, hear, or smell? What was happening around you? What were you feeling in the moment? Focus on the details and actions—let the scene come alive. Then, see how the story shifts and notice how your friend reacts.

See you all next week,

Trevor