Adversity and Setback: Hard Times that Changed Me

You have likely had your fair share of adversity and setbacks in life. They can range from illness and addiction, to accidents and job loss. They can be traumatic and devastating. They can be as a result of misfortune or of your own making. The important story is how you faced them. How did you turn adversity to strength? How did you turn a setback into a comeback?

Preparation

• Before writing, give yourself time to reflect on the experience. Understand your emotions and how you feel about revisiting the setback or tragedy.
• Gather your thoughts and materials. Review your diary, journals, and notes.
• Get out your photo album or access your digital photo storage account to review images from that period.
• Jot down key memories, conflicts and emotions.

Audience

Are you writing this story primarily for self reflection and self therapy, or will there be an audience for the story? If the story is primarily for your own consumption and reflection, don’t worry too much about structure or flow. Simply reminisce freely without worrying about spelling, grammar or sentence structure. Your virtual biographer will compile your memories into a coherent story for your enjoyment.

If you are writing the story as part of your life story, or to inspire others, give some thought to what they would enjoy most about the story. What is the key message you want your audience to takeaway from your adversities and setbacks. Share this insight with your virtual biographer.

Structure and Flow

A story written for others starts with a good “hook” and unfolds with authenticity and emotion. Begin with a powerful statement about the adversity you faced. This could be the shock of sudden misfortune, or the choices and state of mind that led to a slowly unfolding or long term situation.

Life stories can be told both chronologically and thematically. A chronological structure is good for recounting the order events happened. A thematic structure is focused on the ideas, thoughts and feelings of the characters in the story. Your virtual biographer can weave both approaches.

One of the most important choices to make about writing the story is what point-of-view the story will take. Do you want to tell it in the “First Person” (you as narrator) or the “Third Person” (an objective narrator). Most autobiographies, memoires, and life stories are told in the first person because they are character-driven stories. They are more intimate. However, writing and telling the story in the third person offers objectivity and omniscience. If you are telling the story of someone else’s adversity or setback, or you want to write it as an objective witness, you should use the third person point-of-view.

Answer the Important Questions; Skip Those Less Relevant

The ‘Times of My Life’ app provides you with a Virtual Biographer (VB) to interview you about your journey and how you dealt with adversity or setback. Yes, it’s an AI bot, but a very smart and intuitive one. Your VB has instant access to similar stories written and shared by millions of other people. It can help you relive events, thoughts and feelings. It can help illuminate the essence of your experience, and then tell a story that is uniquely yours. If your VB asks a question that doesn’t seem relevant to your experience, just skip it and move on to the questions that assist your recall and are important to how you lived that moment.

Add Details

If your virtual biographer fails to ask you a key question about the setback, simply tap the “Add Details” icon to add the memory when it comes to your mind. To add a detail, you can type it or use the microphone to record it. The VB will use your answers and the extra details you add to write a great story.

These ideas will get you in the mindset to answer questions and add details:

• Set the Scene: Describe the circumstances leading up to the setback or tragedy. Provide enough context for readers to understand the situation without overwhelming them with details.
• Share Your Feelings: Be open and honest about your emotions and reactions to the setback or tragedy. Authenticity will resonate with readers and make your writing more compelling.
• Triggers and Boundaries: Be mindful of your own emotional well-being while writing. Take breaks and avoid going into unnecessary detail if it’s triggering.
• Paint a Picture: Use descriptive language to evoke the atmosphere, emotions, and details of the experience. Describe sights, sounds, smells, and sensations to make the story vivid.
• Coping Strategies: Share how you coped with the setback or tragedy. Discuss any support systems, coping mechanisms, or resources that helped you navigate through the difficult time.
• Include Dialogue: Put sentences in quotation marks to let your virtual biographer know that it is a direct quote, and who said it. Incorporate meaningful conversations that had an impact on your journey.
• Consider Others: If your story involves others, respect their privacy and feelings. Avoid sharing details that could harm or embarrass others without their consent.
• Universal Themes: Weave in themes like hope, perseverance, or the power of the human spirit. These connect with readers beyond your specific experience.
• Moments of Light: Balance the darkness with moments of hope, humor, or unexpected acts of kindness that sustained you.
• Don’t Relive the Trauma: Focus on the aftermath and the journey of overcoming the adversity.
• Focus on your growth: Show how this experience shaped you, not just the pain it caused.

Don’t Just Tell; Show

Instead of just stating facts, show what happened through detailed descriptions and actions. For example, instead of saying Instead of saying “I felt lost,” describe a moment of isolation, a missed opportunity, or a change in routine. Describe the emptiness, the yearning, or a literal feeling of being adrift. Photos, narration, and music will also help you “show” the story. The ‘Times of My Life’ app is excellent at helping you visualize the story in multimedia formats.

Write the Story; Add Media

• After the interview and after you add whatever details you think are important, you will have the option of writing the story yourself, or having your virtual biographer write the story. It only cost $0.00 to have your VB write the story — and will save you hours of work writing it yourself. You can always edit what the VB writes.
• If you prefer to write the story yourself, use your answers from the interview and the details and notes the app captured, to guide your writing. Tips for writing the story yourself can be viewed by tapping the “Tips” icon in the app. Additional tips are listed below.
• After the story is written you will end up at the ‘Enhance Story’ screen. This is where the magic happens.
  • Tap “Add Media” to insert images and/or video clips into the narrative of your story.
  • Tap “Narrator” to choose a narrator. NOTE: A narrator is great if you ask your virtual biographer to write the story in the Third Person. If it is written in the First Person, then YOU are the narrator of the story.
  • Tap “Music” to add background music to your story, assuming you plan to publish it as an audiocast or a video.

Edit and Revise

After the story is written by you or your virtual biographer, you can “share” it for free through he app with friends and loved ones. Their feedback can provide valuable perspective and help you improve your story. After you get their feedback you can go back and edit the story as desired — or ask your VB to rewrite it with the feedback!

Publish Your Story

One of the best features of the ‘Times of My Life’ app is that it will produce the story in multimedia formats.

• Tap PDF to create a nicely formatted printed version.
• Use Audiocast to download an MP3 file.
• Click Video to download a high resolution video, complete with narration (if you choose a narrator), background music, and your uploaded images and video clips.

Sample Outline

I. Introduction

1. Opening Scene
   • Begin with a powerful scene that captures the reader’s attention, possibly a pivotal moment of the setback or a reflective moment after overcoming it.
   • Introduce the protagonist and briefly hint at the adversity they will face.
2. Background Information
   • Provide context about the protagonist’s life before the setback.
   • Establish the setting, key relationships, and the protagonist’s initial state of mind.

II. The Normal Life

1. Everyday Life
   • Describe the protagonist’s life before the adversity.
   • Highlight their goals, dreams, and routine.
2. Foreshadowing
   • Include subtle hints or events that foreshadow the upcoming adversity.
   • Build a sense of normalcy and contentment to contrast with the coming challenges.

III. The Onset of Adversity

1. The Inciting Incident
   • Detail the event or series of events that introduce the setback.
   • Describe the protagonist’s initial reaction and immediate consequences.
2. Initial Struggles
   • Discuss the early challenges and obstacles faced by the protagonist.
   • Explore the emotional and psychological impact of the adversity.

IV. The Deepening Crisis

1. Escalation of Challenges
   • Show how the adversity worsens or becomes more complex.
   • Highlight additional setbacks or complications.
2. Internal Conflict
   • Dive into the protagonist’s internal struggles, including self-doubt, fear, and despair.
   • Include moments of vulnerability and introspection.
3. Impact on Relationships
   • Describe how the adversity affects the protagonist’s relationships with family, friends, or colleagues.
   • Show changes in dynamics and support systems.

V. The Turning Point

1. Moment of Realization
   • Introduce a key moment or revelation that changes the protagonist’s perspective.
   • This could be an epiphany, a piece of advice, or an event that inspires change.
2. Decision to Act
   • Detail the protagonist’s decision to face the adversity head-on.
   • Describe the planning and preparation for overcoming the setback.

VI. The Journey to Overcome

1. Steps Taken
   • Outline the actions the protagonist takes to address the adversity.
   • Include specific examples of efforts, strategies, and changes made.
2. Support and Mentorship
   • Highlight the role of supportive characters, mentors, or resources that assist the protagonist.
   • Show how these relationships contribute to their journey.
3. Progress and Setbacks
   • Describe the progress made, including small victories and continued challenges.
   • Emphasize resilience and perseverance.

VII. The Climax

1. Confronting the Adversity
   • Build up to the climax where the protagonist faces the biggest challenge related to their setback.
   • Describe this confrontation in detail, highlighting emotions and stakes.
2. Achievement or Resolution
   • Show the outcome of the confrontation, whether it’s overcoming the adversity or finding a way to cope.
   • Reflect on the significance of this moment.

VIII. Resolution and Reflection

1. Aftermath
   • Describe the immediate aftermath of the climax.
   • Highlight changes in the protagonist’s life, mindset, and circumstances.
2. Lessons Learned
   • Reflect on the lessons learned through the journey.
   • Discuss personal growth, new perspectives, and the lasting impact of the experience.
3. Looking Forward
   • Outline the protagonist’s plans or hopes for the future.
   • End on a note of hope, resilience, or inspiration.

By following these tips, you can create a compelling and heartfelt narrative that effectively captures the essence of personal adversity and the journey toward overcoming it.