Say It Now - Contributor Prompt Options
For Review: Sheri Dudley Created: 2026-01-22 Status: Draft - awaiting feedback
Overview
These are the prompts contributors will see when writing their tributes. Book owners can select which prompts to include during book setup. Each prompt is designed to draw out meaningful stories rather than generic "Happy Birthday" messages.
Key Principle: The photo-first approach means contributors upload a photo first, then answer prompts about it. The photo triggers the memory naturally.
Universal Prompts (Work for Any Relationship)
These prompts work regardless of the contributor's relationship to the honoree:
| # | Prompt | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| U1 | Tell the story behind this photo. | Photo-first anchor - grounds tribute in a specific moment |
| U2 | What's a moment with [Name] you'll always remember? | Opens storytelling without constraint |
| U3 | What has [Name] taught you about life? | Captures wisdom/impact |
| U4 | In one word, how does [Name] make you feel? Now explain that word. | Emotional + explanation |
| U5 | What would you want [Name] to know, but maybe haven't said? | The "say it now" moment |
| U6 | Describe [Name] to someone who's never met them. | Character portrait |
| U7 | What do you admire most about [Name]? | Direct appreciation |
| U8 | When you think of [Name], what's the first memory that comes to mind? | Spontaneous, authentic |
| U9 | Describe the impact [Name] has had on you or your community. | Community impact |
Relationship-Specific Prompts
Family: Parent (for tributes TO a parent)
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| P1 | What's a moment when [Name] made you feel truly loved or supported? | Emotional core |
| P2 | What's something [Name] always says that sticks with you? | Voice/catchphrase |
| P3 | What's a lesson from [Name] that you've passed on (or will pass on)? | Legacy/impact |
| P4 | Describe a time when [Name] surprised you. | Reveals depth |
| P5 | What do you hope [Name] knows they gave you? | Gratitude |
Family: Child/Grandchild (for tributes TO a child/grandchild)
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| C1 | What's a moment with [Name] that fills you with pride or joy? | Celebration |
| C2 | What has [Name] taught you about life or love? | Reversal - child teaching parent |
| C3 | Describe the person you see [Name] becoming. | Future/potential |
| C4 | What's something about [Name] that makes you laugh? | Joy/personality |
| C5 | What do you want [Name] to always remember about your love for them? | Core message |
Family: Sibling
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| S1 | What's a childhood memory with [Name] that still makes you smile? | Shared history |
| S2 | What's something only a sibling would know about [Name]? | Unique perspective |
| S3 | How has your relationship with [Name] changed over the years? | Growth/evolution |
| S4 | What's your earliest memory of [Name]? | Origin story |
| S5 | What would life have been like without [Name] in it? | Impact/appreciation |
Family: Spouse/Partner
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SP1 | What moment made you realize [Name] was the one? | Love story |
| SP2 | What's something [Name] does that you'll never stop loving? | Daily appreciation |
| SP3 | What's a challenge you faced together that made you stronger? | Partnership |
| SP4 | What do you love about how [Name] loves you? | Reciprocal |
| SP5 | What's your favorite "ordinary" moment with [Name]? | Intimate/daily life |
Friends
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| F1 | What's your favorite memory with [Name]? | Classic, open |
| F2 | How did you and [Name] become friends? | Origin story |
| F3 | What makes [Name] a great friend? | Character |
| F4 | What's an adventure or experience you'll never forget sharing with [Name]? | Shared history |
| F5 | What's something about [Name] that more people should know? | Hidden qualities |
Professional: Coworker/Colleague
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| W1 | What's one project or moment at work with [Name] you'll never forget? | Professional memory |
| W2 | What's something [Name] taught you that you still use today? | Mentorship/skills |
| W3 | How has [Name] made the workplace better? | Culture/impact |
| W4 | Describe [Name]'s greatest professional strength. | Recognition |
| W5 | What would you tell a new employee about working with [Name]? | Character reference |
Professional: Teacher/Mentor/Coach
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| T1 | What's a lesson [Name] taught you that changed how you see things? | Transformative |
| T2 | How did [Name] help you become who you are today? | Long-term impact |
| T3 | Describe a time when [Name] believed in you. | Encouragement |
| T4 | What's something [Name] said that you still think about? | Lasting words |
| T5 | What would you say to [Name] that you never got to say in class/practice? | Unsaid gratitude |
Occasion-Specific Prompts
Birthday
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| B1 | What's your favorite birthday memory with [Name]? | Celebratory |
| B2 | What do you wish for [Name] in this next year? | Future-focused |
| B3 | What makes [Name] worth celebrating? | Appreciation |
Retirement
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| R1 | What will you miss most about working with [Name]? | Transition |
| R2 | What's [Name]'s greatest professional legacy? | Impact |
| R3 | What advice would you give [Name] for retirement? | Looking forward |
Memorial/Celebration of Life
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| M1 | What's the first thing you think of when you remember [Name]? | Immediate memory |
| M2 | How did [Name] make the world a better place? | Legacy |
| M3 | What part of [Name] lives on in you? | Continuation |
| M4 | What would you want to say to [Name] one more time? | Final message |
"Just Because"
| # | Prompt | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| J1 | Why did you want to be part of this tribute to [Name]? | Intent |
| J2 | What's something [Name] should know, right now? | Urgency/present |
| J3 | Describe [Name] in the best way you know how. | Portrait |
Recommended Default Sets
Birthday Book (6 prompts)
- U1: Tell the story behind this photo
- U3: What has [Name] taught you about life?
- U7: What do you admire most about [Name]?
- B2: What do you wish for [Name] in this next year?
- (Relationship-specific prompt based on contributor selection)
- U5: What would you want [Name] to know, but maybe haven't said?
Retirement Book (6 prompts)
- U1: Tell the story behind this photo
- W1: What's one project or moment at work you'll never forget?
- W2: What's something [Name] taught you that you still use today?
- R1: What will you miss most about working with [Name]?
- R2: What's [Name]'s greatest professional legacy?
- U5: What would you want [Name] to know, but maybe haven't said?
Memorial/Celebration of Life (5 prompts)
- U1: Tell the story behind this photo
- M1: What's the first thing you think of when you remember [Name]?
- M2: How did [Name] make the world a better place?
- M3: What part of [Name] lives on in you?
- M4: What would you want to say to [Name] one more time?
General Tribute (5 prompts)
- U1: Tell the story behind this photo
- U2: What's a moment with [Name] you'll always remember?
- U3: What has [Name] taught you about life?
- U7: What do you admire most about [Name]?
- U5: What would you want [Name] to know, but maybe haven't said?
Implementation Notes
Book Setup Flow
- Owner names honoree
- Owner selects occasion (birthday, retirement, memorial, just because)
- System suggests default prompt set for that occasion
- Owner can customize: add/remove/reorder prompts
- Owner can add custom prompts
Contributor Experience
- Contributor uploads photo (optional but encouraged)
- System shows prompts one at a time
- Contributor can skip prompts (minimum 1 response required)
- Responses are auto-saved
- AI cleanup offered before final submission
Admin Features (Future)
- Analytics: which prompts get best responses
- A/B testing different phrasings
- Custom prompt library for power users
Feedback Questions for Sheri
- Are there any relationships missing? (e.g., Neighbor, Godparent, In-law)
- Any prompts that feel too formal or too casual for the target audience?
- Should the memorial prompts be softened or kept direct?
- Any occasions to add? (Wedding, Anniversary, Graduation)
- Set size preference? How many prompts should contributors see by default?
- 5 prompts = ~5-10 min to complete (quick, focused)
- 7 prompts = ~10-15 min (more depth)
- Let owner choose freely (3-10 range)
Decisions Made
- Custom prompts: Yes - owners can write their own prompts in addition to curated options
Version History
| Version | Date | Changes |
|---|---|---|
| 0.1 | 2026-01-22 | Initial draft from TryItDemo prompts + expansion |