Psst…hey you…yeah, you…do you know the secret of storytelling…well, do you? Excellence in storytelling starts with you, the Shanachie (Storyteller).
Each story you tell, each story you hear, whether it is at home, at the store, or at work, keep it simple…oh, yeah, and listen to that little voice that lured you in at the beginning and tells you to add the following ingredients:
* 2 Parts Story - 1 part specific to you; 1 part from the your experiences
* 1 Part Time - Find it…don’t kill it, it never comes back
* A Smidgen of Belief - Children have plenty, borrow some along the way
* A Dash of Creativity - We all have it, some more than others
* Dollop of Ingenuity - Technology is big, but necessity still drives invention
* Pinch of Inspiration - Tougher to find these days, but look and keep looking
May today, and everyday, breathe excellence for you…
Are you a poet looking for a place to land your verses…Check out our Poetry Contest…
Check out our recent entries on Our Poetry Contributor Page
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Cutting corners or changing your mindset midstream causes variations in your storyline. Variations cause changes in your readers, listeners, and business partners. Changes occur to their emotional associations, their knowledge connections, and their application abilities. OK, OK, that’s the boring interpretation…Where’s the creativity, the ingenuity, the inspiration…where is the story?
Think of three simple words when trying to tell a great story, Evoke, Engage, and Empower.
* Evoke emotions from your audience as quickly as possible. This allows them to associate with what you are sharing.
* Engage your listeners in the activities within your story. This connects their emotions and past knowledge to your key points and encourages a transfer into their memory.
* Empower your partners to use their new knowledge. This will grow your story and allow it to take form outside your own experiences.
Simple, huh? It is…try it in your next story…
Stay tuned for our annual poetry contest where the story really is you. We will compile all of the poems, place them in a book, and publish the final book, so that you can share it with your friends and family.
