Week Two: Just the FAQs

We have had stories coming in via email, and many people are wondering how to begin writing. Two words for you: Anything goes.

We want it in your words. We have laid out some sample questions in the "Week One" post. We have met a lot of great people via facebook and craigslist, but guys can post right here to this site as well.

Frequently Asked Questions: 

Should I change the names of the people involved?
Generally, yes. For the protection of everyone affected, go ahead and change the names. There may be children whose identities need to be covered. There may be lawyers or officials involved, and no matter how badly you might want to talk publicly about someone who hurt you or mistreated you, you should still find a false name for them. We have also done some minor editorial work to protect the identities of the people involved.

How long should the story be? 
Most stories come in the body of an email, or attached as a Word document. We will edit the stories down to 500-2500 words, generally. But it's your story. We want you to be free to write as fully and completely as possible. Don't edit yourself. Your voice needs to be heard, so write what you feel, and don't get too worried about length. A few stories have been too short, too general, and we have asked guys to expand them a bit.

I still have feelings for my ex. I don't want to portray her as a monster. 
We have gathered a wide range of stories. Some guys are very angry, of course. We understand that your emotions are complex, and sometimes the ones we love can hurt us the most. Don't worry, we want you to tell your story from your point of view, as truthfully as possible.  

Do we get paid for our story? 
Unfortunately we are a small operation, and we cannot afford to pay our contributors. Most of our writers have been happy to give us their story. They see it as a therapeutic exercise, a cathartic experience. Moreover, your story has the chance to do a lot of good for a lot of people.

Is there a deadline?
We are hoping to gather our stories between Summer and Fall of 2011. This blog will remain active, and your stories can still be told as the project goes further.