Great story or great storyteller: which do you prefer?
(hat tip to Sean, who reminded me that this question was first put into my noggin by Priscilla Howe, who asked the question on her Storytelling Notes blog early in 2009: link)
Egads. Your ability to recall conversations (or search emails) exceeds my comprehension. Also realized that Priscilla Howe started this thought. Must acknowledge that.
TThanks for a pleasant way to warm up my brain this heavy, humid morning. Of course, I want it all. But an excellent teller can engage me with a trifle. I may feel like I've OD'd on fried twinkies but I'll go for the ride. Whereas a poor teller can so irritate me that I cannot hear what is said. I've gone deep into fantasy or meditation.
Excellent thoughts, Tim. You're right about context being crucial. Of course I want to hear great stories from performance storytellers at festivals, and I'm thrilled to hear a heartfelt story from someone who doesn't tell stories as performance. For me, the story must stick with me. In part, that comes from a story being at the same time individual and universal. Oh, and I don't want to leave saying, "So what?" That's often what happens with personal stories. Also, I want the story to be key, not the storyteller. I watched a very theatrical storyteller this spring tell a personal story that was all about his on-stage antics. Can't remember what the story was about.
There's a lot more to think about here. Maybe I need to do another blog post on it. Thanks for another satisfying omelet.
I have always drawn stories out of every day people I meet. I start by telling stories of my own. Granted, I know I've honed my story skills through improv, but almost all stories grab my interest.
I believe we all have an infinite number of stories to tell, we just need to feel confident enough to speak them in our own voice.
Still - there is NOTHING like hearing a fabulous story teller weave a fabulous tale...
6 comments:
Point your research starship to on or about 2/16/2009 for the discussion you were seeking. Make it so, number one. Engage.
Egads. Your ability to recall conversations (or search emails) exceeds my comprehension. Also realized that Priscilla Howe started this thought. Must acknowledge that.
TThanks for a pleasant way to warm up my brain this heavy, humid morning. Of course, I want it all. But an excellent teller can engage me with a trifle. I may feel like I've OD'd on fried twinkies but I'll go for the ride. Whereas a poor teller can so irritate me that I cannot hear what is said. I've gone deep into fantasy or meditation.
Excellent thoughts, Tim. You're right about context being crucial. Of course I want to hear great stories from performance storytellers at festivals, and I'm thrilled to hear a heartfelt story from someone who doesn't tell stories as performance. For me, the story must stick with me. In part, that comes from a story being at the same time individual and universal. Oh, and I don't want to leave saying, "So what?" That's often what happens with personal stories. Also, I want the story to be key, not the storyteller. I watched a very theatrical storyteller this spring tell a personal story that was all about his on-stage antics. Can't remember what the story was about.
There's a lot more to think about here. Maybe I need to do another blog post on it. Thanks for another satisfying omelet.
I have always drawn stories out of every day people I meet. I start by telling stories of my own. Granted, I know I've honed my story skills through improv, but almost all stories grab my interest.
I believe we all have an infinite number of stories to tell, we just need to feel confident enough to speak them in our own voice.
Still - there is NOTHING like hearing a fabulous story teller weave a fabulous tale...
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