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A
Treasure Trunk of Tellers’ Tips
By
Chris King, Patti Christensen, Rose the Story Lady, Stephen Hollen, Steve
Otto, Mary Morgan Smith, Sharon Kirk Clifton, and Dianne de Las Casas
 Every
two months I have had the delightful opportunity to share tips from my
storytelling friends in the Tips Column in the National
Storytelling Network's (NSN) Storytelling Magazine. Realizing that
not everyone who visits this website is a member of NSN - although I highly
recommend you join - I have decided to periodically start sharing some
of these wonderful tips on this site. Because of space limitations in
the magazine, I also have many tips that have been sent to me, but not
used. So, this will solve both situations and it will become a win-win-win
project for all of us. I hope you enjoy them - I received a lot of great
feedback the first time I tried it - and let me know if you like the change
of pace and hearing from a full troupe of tellers. Read on!
From
Story to Storytelling
The journey from story to storytelling can happen in several ways: 1)
A request "Can you tell ________ story?" You must decide yes,
you can and will learn it, or no you can't or won't. 2) A story grabs
you and won't let you go. You MUST tell it. This may take a short or long
time, but it is like wrestling with an angel...it must happen. 3) A story
finds its way to you, you decide you'd like to learn it and you do. Knowing
which of these situations are happening helps me know how to begin learning
the story.
Patti Christensen
Professional Storyteller
tellstories@hotmail.com
Historical Storytelling
I believe historical storytelling should be as accurate as possible. However,
there are often conflicting versions of the same story. Whatever stories
you decide to tell, be sure to share the information that there are ambiguities
in this history. Tell your listeners that you are telling stories that
represent how it "might" have happened. The difficulty of doing
accurate historical research is a lesson kids can learn also. Just because
something is in print does not make it accurate. It's an important concept,
isn't it?
Rose the Story Lady
storylady@civprod.com
Crafting Stories Is a Three Step Process
- The
first step in crafting stories is leaving the door open for
ideas. I keep a file of ideas that I use as I create. These story starters
may be news articles, pictures, a phrase in a book or just a thought
I had at some point. I keep outdated business cards in my wallet for
the purpose of making notes when I think of something. One of my favorite
stories started with a note I wrote, "remember sitting on old washing
machines?"
- Second,
I set specific times to practice the "craft" of writing. I
go through the idea file to find something that attracts my attention.
I tape the original "idea" onto a "story sheet"
and begin adding thoughts that could turn into a good story. I often
go straight from this step to writing either the "bones" or
the entire story, but usually the story grows a step at a time. At any
given time I have 30 or 40 of these pages going with ideas and outlines
in some form.
- The
third step is actually writing the story. This is when I play
with words and phrases and read things out loud to see how they translate
from the printed to spoken word. Oral tradition kicks in and the written
notes take a back seat the joy of the sound as the story flows.
Stephen
Hollen
Appalachian Storyteller and Humorist
storyteller@commkey.net
Effective Ghost Stories
The effect of ghost stories is achieved by keeping your audience off balance.
Make sure you put a few ghost jokes, in your program, and even add humorous
asides to the really scary ones and the impact of the ending is magnified.
Get your audience saying "Something's going to Happen, Something's
going to Happen, Oh it's all right, it's a funny, Oh my gosh SOMETHING'S
GOING TO HAPPEN!, no . . . it's a funny . . ." Then cut them off
at the knees with the scary ending. What you have done is build the tension
of the story while putting the audience off guard and then you get them!
Steve Otto
i-tell@juno.com
Timing, Timing, Timing
In humor it's not location, location, location; it's timing, timing, timing.
Don't rush! If most beginning tellers tend to talk too fast, that is doubly
true for people telling a funny story. Give your audience time to catch
the humor. Sort of a ... "Huh? ... Oh!" reaction is most common
before laughter actually begins. If you keep talking, your audience won't
have time to get to the "Oh!" and laugh. That said, there will
undoubtedly be times when they won’t catch it no matter how long
you wait. Then you just have to forge ahead and give them another chance.
Watch really good comedians to see how they use timing.
Mary Morgan Smith
storysmith@comcast.net
Importance of Program Agreements
Early in my career, I simply shook hands with the client. Experience taught
me to use signed “Program Agreements.” Each time I would have
a negative business experience, I would live with the results, so as not
to make an enemy, and tighten up the contract for future engagements.
Last year, my PA was one page of 12-pt. type. This year, I’ve still
kept it to one page, but the font size is 10-pt. Shortly after developing
the current contract, I was very glad I had it in place. I consider the
PA a part of being a pro teller. The client expects and gets a professional
quality program. Having a good contract is a part of that professionalism.
Sharon Kirk Clifton
Purveyor of Magic Beans and Seeds of Truth
imjacksmama@hotmail.com
Take a Risk
How about:
Risk raising your fees and getting paid what you are worth.
Risk tapping into new markets and making inroads for storytelling.
Risk telling a risky story and holding true to your artistic standards.
Dianne de Las Casas
dianne@storyconnection.net
Remember:
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sign up by clicking
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of Ways to Develop Your Personal and Professional STYLE."
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a problem.
Contact Chris King
at:
chris@creativekeys.net
or at: P.O. Box 221255
Beachwood, Ohio 44122
Phone: (216) 991-8428
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Is it your
dream to
become a
storyteller?
If so, this
Dream
Jobs book is for you!
It includes interviews of
three working storytellers,
the steps to take, along with a plethora of useful
tips.
If you'd like more information about "How to Get Started
as a Professional Storyteller" and how to order your
copy, just click on the above book cover or
HERE.
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And don't hesitate to
send us your questions,
comments, tips and
suggestions. We
welcome your
FEEDBACK.
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The
Story Performance Handbook 
