SHARE YOUR STORY – HELP OTHERS KNOW THEY ARE NOT ALONE!
We are currently compiling stories from our Team NO BULL members who have dealt with any form of bullying in any way. Chosen stories will go into the founder of the NO BULL Challenge and bestselling author, Shawn Marie Edgington’s newest book, “NO BULL.” The book will be filled with stories that will provide other teens hope, compassion, understanding and a way out of being the target of bullies and cyberbullies.
NO BULL Story elements:
✔ 300 -1200 words
✔ Share your experience
✔ Share the impact the experience had on you – how you felt about yourself, others and any beliefs that formed about the world
✔ Share the impact the experience had on your family – did you tell, did you hide it?
✔ Share what you hoped the adults in your life would have said or done for you
✔ What did you learn? What do you want others to know?
✔ Knowing what you know now, what message would you give to yourself at the time you were having this experience? What would your advice be to others?
✔ These stories will be similar to those found in the “Chicken Soup for the Soul” books
We will select from submitted stories that contribute the highest level of inspiration, hope, examples of overcoming life’s challenges and realized dreams. We welcome stories and poems from contributors of any age.
A WINNING NO BULL STORY:
A NO BULL story is an inspirational, true story that opens the heart and rekindles the spirit. It is a simple piece that touches the soul of the readers and helps them discover basic principles about bullying survival that they can use in their own lives. A NO BULL story is personal and often filled with emotion and drama. They are also filled with vivid images created by using the five senses.
NO BULL stories are written in the first person and have a beginning, middle and an ending that often closes with a punch, creating emotion rather than simply talking about it. A NO BULL story has heart, but also something extra…an element that makes us all feel more hopeful, more connected, more thankful, more passionate and better about life in general. A story that causes tears, laughter, Goosebumps or any combination of these is an excellent story.
The most powerful stories are about people extending themselves, or performing an act of love, service or courage for another person.
GUIDELINES FOR A NO BULL STORY:
1. Tell an exciting, sad or funny story about something that has happened to you or someone you know. Make sure that you introduce the character(s). Please know that your story should be written in the first person.
2. Tell your story in a way that will make the reader cry, laugh or hit a high emotional state.
3. The story should start with action; it should include a problem, issue or situation. It should include dialogue and the character should express their feelings though the conflict or situation. It should end in a result, such as a lesson learned, a positive change or pay-off.
4. Above all, let it come from your HEART! Your story is important, and we want to inspire others with your words!
If the story or poem you wrote is published by us, you will receive ten free copies of the book your story or poem appears in.
WHAT A NO BULL STORY IS NOT:
1. A sermon, an essay or eulogy.
2. An “as told to” story written in the third person.
3. A term paper, thesis, letter or journal entry.
4. About politics or controversial issues.
5. A biography or testimonial.
If you are interested in submitting your experience for the NO BULL book, please submit your story along with your photo, email address and telephone number (anonymous stories may also be submitted).
We will review all of the stories and we will contact you for your approval if your story is chosen to be published.
Visit: www.shawnedgington.com for more information on Shawn’s books and her passion to promote digital responsibility in America.