When you hear, "tell me a story," does your mind suddenly go blank? Don't panic. The good news is, you're already a natural storyteller! Surprised? You shouldn't be. It's built right into our genetic code. Human beings are a storytelling species. Of all the creatures on Earth, we're the only ones that share past memories and future dreams as a way to get to know others, build friendships, plan an endeavor, inspire a group.
In fact, we're usually telling ourselves some kind of story all the time - about our job, a relationship, the kids, neighbors down the street, our next vacation. You name it, and we're probably making up a story about it!
So, with all that creativity just naturally flowing, the secret is how to channel it into crafting a story that's interesting and fun for others to hear.
How, in other words, do you go from being a "natural" storyteller to being a good one? Here are 10 tips that will get you started in the right direction.
1. Know your audience. Do you want to tell stories to your kids? Your grandchildren? Your child's third-grade class? Co-workers? Family friends? The charming participation stories that enchant children may seem patronizing or insulting to a group of adults.
2. Choose a story you genuinely like. It could be a traditional folk tale or fairy story. A historical tale. A personal story. The most important thing is that you really like it. It doesn't matter how exciting a story might be or how well you tell it; if you really don't care about it, your audience will be bored too. Guaranteed.
3. Keep it short. A good story doesn't have to be long and elaborate. Especially when you're just starting out, it's much easier to practice and polish a piece that's only 4-5 minutes long.
4. Find out what the story is really about. Why do you want to tell this particular story? What does it mean to you? The exact same story may mean something different to every teller. That's fine. When you discover what the "heart" of the story is for you, you'll automatically find the passion and life in it.
5. Tear it down to the bare bones. Particularly if you're starting with a written text, read the story over a couple of times to get the basic outline, and then lay the book aside. See what you remember when you simply tell it. These points will become the foundation for rebuilding the story using your own creativity.
6. Know where you're going. Make sure you have a beginning, middle and end for your story. A good storyteller never makes the audience nervous that they (and you) are lost.
7. Practice out loud. Get in the habit of talking to yourself. You can never become a good storyteller by telling the story in your head, no matter how many times you practice. Tell the story in your car while commuting to work. Tell it in the shower. Tell it to your dog (pets tend to make quite good listeners, by the way). Tell your story over and over until you're as comfortable in it as you are in your favorite jeans.
8. Find your own voice. Listen to other storytellers to hear different styles of telling: flamboyant...quiet...dramatic...quirky...laid back...funny...serious. The list could go on and on. Notice which tellers appeal to you and which ones don't. There are no right or wrong ways to tell a story; there's only what's right for you.
9. Don't memorize. Storytelling isn't a theatrical performance. It's a shared experience. No matter how many times you tell a particular story - as long as you haven't committed it word-for-word to memory - you never know when something brand new and absolutely delightful will show up.
10. Roll with the punches. Did you suddenly remember a critical piece of the story you totally forgot to mention earlier? No problem. Bring it up when you think of it and let your audience be part of the discovery process. ("And what I didn't tell you before, was...")
Most importantly, trust the stories that choose you to be told through. Follow their lead. When you do, both you and your listeners will embark on a magical journey you'll not soon forget.
© Nancy Binzen 2004
Nancy Binzen is a certified storyteller with 30 years of experience as a corporate communicator. To hear great storytelling from around the world by award-winning artists, visit her website at http://www.wisdomtracks.com.
Engaged employees can show us the way to continuously improve.... Read More
For the past several hours, I've struggled with this week's... Read More
Did you ever watch your grandma knitting?Wasn't it boring? Didn't... Read More
We all create our own reality each and every day,... Read More
How many times does an artist stare down at that... Read More
Let's begin by defining the optimal mind state and the... Read More
I believe that as solo-entrepreneurs, business owners, and executives we... Read More
How can you be more creative? How can you turn... Read More
Experience has shown that creative visualization works. It is quite... Read More
The next time you're moodily sitting in your office, wishing... Read More
It seems like this week a ton of people have... Read More
This was a very easy article to write. I was... Read More
Worried you may not be creative or you may not... Read More
Who do you know who is feeling stuck, under-performing, or... Read More
A legacy is more than a gift that lives on... Read More
"What cannot letters inspire? They have souls; they can speak;... Read More
Creativity is central to the management of our individual lives,... Read More
Imagination is the source of creativity. It's a place where... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
1. To be more comfortable in performance situations ? performance... Read More
It was 4:15PM on a Thursday when I arrived at... Read More
Do you have a strategy that ensures your online business... Read More
"Your capacity to be creatively alive in virtually all life... Read More
Have you ever heard the saying, "The harder I work,... Read More
If your to-do list seems as long at the end... Read More
"True Power" is a series that will focus on proven... Read More
The brain is a strange organ. It works in ways... Read More
Learn how to master your area of endeavor the right... Read More
Remember Archie Bunker's description of what a Meathead was on... Read More
Creativity ? according to Webster's it means having the ability... Read More
Something I have always found helpful is taking affirmative action... Read More
Can you be an artist while you're washing the dishes?In... Read More
After studying scores of great thinkers like Leonardo Da Vinci,... Read More
About once every year or so, I take a critical... Read More
Time is the great equalizer. Everybody has the exact same... Read More
Here are some odds & ends I have observed in... Read More
Have you ever heard the saying, "The harder I work,... Read More
"It's a free country," they say. "Celebrate our independence," I... Read More
You're stepping onto the stage, amidst opening night flurry and... Read More
We've all met people who are "negative" ? negative thinkers... Read More
When people find out that I'm a music therapist, the... Read More
Have you ever had one of those days when you... Read More
While the inception of penicillin brought a bit of a... Read More
Can anyone be an artist? People admiring my work... Read More
Channeling is much easier to do than most people suspect.... Read More
New inventions? Heard of a revolving restaurant combination television tower?... Read More
Do you ever encounter problems, challenges or obstacles in your... Read More
We all create our own reality each and every day,... Read More
Do you consider yourself creative? How about super creative? Most... Read More
Variety is the spice of life, but spices, historically are... Read More
The common belief is that lack of structure and randomness... Read More
BRAINSTORMING: The basic tool used in generating many possible solutions... Read More
In the "Roadblocks to Creativity" e-course, we look at the... Read More
I have to admit that I am a confirmed puzzle-head.... Read More
Everyone's a poet.Of course, everyone's a critic, too! This means... Read More
My fears are most powerful when they're simmering just under... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
(5 minutes a day) There is no limit to what... Read More
How many times does an artist stare down at that... Read More
Leadership, especially in times of change, depends increasingly on the... Read More
You are so creative.Don't deny it. Whether or not you... Read More
Now when I use the term "creativity", I mean the... Read More
Creativity can be defined as problem identification and idea generation... Read More
Have you decided it may be time to start creating... Read More
Imagine this. You've got this huge dream you just turned... Read More
Let's begin by defining the optimal mind state and the... Read More
Creativity |