In this post
I’ll assure you that the best story ideas come from you
I’ll give you 10 Strategies to mine your life for stories
And tell you how to get a free PDF with the 30 prompts to get you there
Storytelling doesn’t have to be hard. The best stories come from YOU. You just mine your life for stories.
And one of the best ways to do that is to use writing prompts. (Not AI prompts, writing prompts for you to mull over and brainstorm your stories.)
I’ve already blogged about my simple 3 ideas a day system to build a creative database of sorts, so that you are never in crunch time looking for something to write or speak about. (I’ll put the link to that substack post at the end of this article.) Using prompts is a great way to fill out those 3 ideas a day and make a swipe file for stories.
Writing prompts are super-effective ways to re-discover your own humorous stories.
Prompts spark memories that lie buried beneath the routine of just being you. (Its exhausting being us, isn’t it?)
I rediscovered 10 funny stories just writing this piece. Hopefully, these strats will help you remember some great stories that you’ve neglected to jot down. (Shame on you.)
Read on to discover 10 different strategies (5 Universal and 5 Comedic) you can use to dig for story gold in your life. Each strategy has three prompts designed to help you uncover the nuggets of unforgettable stories, which you can download here as well as instructions for using them.
Strategy #1: Revisit your Milestones (Universal Strategy)
Think back on the key milestones in your life and career, those pivotal moments that shaped your path. Those moments usually reveal growth, decisions, and turning points.
Strategy #2 : Embrace the Awkwardness (Humor Strategy)
Awkward moments are almost always comedic. That time you forgot someone’s name twice in the same conversation at a party? It could be the germ of something funny. Mishaps and misunderstandings are universally relatable.
Strategy #3 Identify Turning Points (Universal Strategy)
Think about crucial decisions or challenges that significantly changed your direction in life. Explore your pivots.
Strategy #4: Tell Us About Your Quirky Family (Humor Strategy)
Family humor is universal. Focus on the unique habits or mannerisms of your family members and see what comedy gold is uncovered.
Strategy #5: Revisit Past Failures (Universal Strategy)
Hop in a time machine and look back on when things didn’t go as planned and explore the lessons these sh*tshows taught you. (You should have a few of these for job interviews!)
Strategy #6: Odd Jobs (Humor Strategy)
It’s a dirty job and you had to do it: Everyone has had a job or task that was out of the ordinary, and these experiences often lead to comical stories.
Strategy #7: Draw from Your Wins! (Universal Strategy)
Celebrating successes can inspire and motivate others. Unpack the events leading to significant achievements:
Strategy #8: Misadventures in Technology (Humor Strategy)
Technology mishaps are ripe for comedy, from autocorrect fails to video call blunders.
Strategy #9: Mine Everyday Interactions (Universal Strategy)
Everyday interactions can sometimes provide unexpected insights or spark significant ideas.
Strategy #10: Travel Tales (Humor Strategy)
I love to travel. And I tend to only remember the good stuff. But things rarely go as planned on a vacation or a trip, and those things usually ends up being the basis for a funny story.
If you would like 30 prompts to tackle these strategies, I have a FREE PDF available here.
If you would like to build a second brain of story ideas, read about my 3 idea system on my substack, here.
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