I’ll always remember Mrs. Kulesa. She was my seventh-grade English teacher. Mrs. Kulesa was a former Miss America contestant from Georgia. She was beautiful, well-spoken, and confident. But most of all she was smart.

The school day seemed to drag until sixth-hour came around, and it was time to sit in the front row of Mrs. Kulesa’s English class, where I hung on her every word.  To this day, I use her formula for story writing.

Mrs. Kulesa would say, “Now, class, there are six questions every story writer must answer:  Who? What? Where? When? Why? and How?”

As the lesson continued, I learned that all questions might NOT apply to each story, but I should at least go through them in my mind and answer those that do. I also learned that it is NOT necessary to go through the list and answer the questions one by one, in order. Finally, I learned that answers might be subtle and susceptible to my own interpretation.

Going on five decades now, Mrs. Kulesa’s formula has worked for me. It will work for you too. 

I want to share a story I wrote using Mrs. Kulesa’s formula. It’s from Leola’s Legacy—a book that honors my mother, Leola Mae Henley Beacham. The narrator is my mother.

The Henley Heritage

My life didn’t begin when I was born in Phelps, Michigan, on Christmas Eve in 1919. (When and Where) It began with my parents, Walter Harrison Henley and Nellie Mae Edwards Henley. (Who)

My parents shaped my character, loved me unconditionally, and sacrificed for my needs and desires. Occasionally, they switched my bottom. Walt and Nellie—my dad and mom—built a solid foundation for their children. (What)But their influence didn’t stop with me and my beloved brothers Jack, Pete, Bruce, and Walt.

Their legacy will live through the Henley lineage for time immemorial. They created a heritage (How)of honesty, hard work, respect for the land, generosity, and laughter. I’m proud to say my story reflects what I learned from my parents. I’m proud to say I’m a Henley. (Why)