Basics of Storytelling: Becoming a Storyteller

BECOMING A STORYTELLER

Every person has the potential to be a storyteller.  There are no “born tellers” – only people with differing levels of gifts in sharing human experiences. Everyone is already involved in the process of story sharing every time they share their experiences, recount historic events, tell a funny anecdote, and share core values.  All these individuals need to become intentional story bearers is for them to make the decision that they will learn to do it better, with greater self-confidence and skill.

WHAT STORIES ARE BEST FOR ORAL TELLING?

• Family history stories, magazines, newspapers.
• Events from your childhood or personal experiences
• Folktales, fairy tales, myths and history books
• Simple picture storybooks

WHERE DO YOU FIND SOURCES FOR STORIES?

• The 398.2 area of the library
• The picture book area of the library or a bookstore
• Older family members or people in the community
• Newspaper articles, old magazines
• Historical events, oral histories, or biographies of historical people

HOW DO I LEARN AND TELL A STORY?

• Find a story you really like (you will be living with it for awhile)
• Become familiar with the story (read it several times)and any different versions
• Picture in your mind the major parts of the story in the beginning, middle, and end.
• Practice telling it to yourself.  Repeat adding details. Repeat until story is firmly in your mind.
• Tell it often and enjoy.

HOW DO YOU GAIN SKILL AS A STORYTELLER?

• Tell every chance you can. 
• Record yourself: are you too fast, too slow, too soft spoken, too monotone?
• Add a gesture to bring your story alive
• Practice using voices to help tell the story.
• Add a prop (a hat, an object from the story, a visual, a costume, or puppets)
• Add music from hands or an instrument
• Review what works, delete what does not, and keep learning more stories.
• Become a member of a group that will provide training, feedback, and constructive criticism.
• Attend training events, workshops, and concerts.  See if the library carries tapes or CD’s of well-known storytellers - listen and learn.

BEGINNER’S RESOURCES

Bauer, C.  Caroline Baur’s New Handbook for Storytellers. 1993.

Cabral, L. Len Cabral’s Storytelling Book. 1997.

Hamilton, M. Stories in My Pocket. 1996.

Macdonald, Margaret Read. Three Minute Tales. 2004.

Pellowski, A. The World of Storytelling. 1977.

Storytelling Etiquette at http://lis.uiuc.edu/~ccb/storytelling_etiquette.html

Storytelling: It’s Not Just Kid’s Stuff, Milbre Burch homepage at http://www.laig.com/kindcrone/article_2.html

Story Cue Cares at  http://www.ils.unc.edu/~!sturn/storytelling/cuecard.html (blank form)

http://www.ualberta.ca/~lmireau/plan.html (tips on building cue cards)

 QUICK GUIDE ONE.  Marilyn A. Hudson

Basics of Telling A Story /A story that is told can be 1-15 min. long, however, most stories are in the 3 to 10 minute range.  The teller stands before an audience and speaks to convey a story that has a beginning, a middle, and an end; variations include sitting and moving among the audience.  Microphones may be needed in some settings.  Teller introduces them self, names the story or shares the theme; if using another’s work proper credit is given.  The teller speaks clearly and varies tone, emphasis and volume for interest to the listener.

Listen, Read, View and Analyze /Review folklore in books in the library (they are usually found in the 398.2-398.29 area), listen to tellers in person and on audio tape/CD, watch tellers in person or on a video.  What makes them successful?  What did you like?  What did you not like? What works?

Themes /A good story will have usually a universal theme: hope, love, courage, survival, redemption, self-discovery, community values, respect, justice, peace, family, etc.

Enhancing the story /The story experience can be enhanced through the addition of repetitions within the story, participation, chants, songs, sounds, music, props, visuals, costume, or dance.  Additionally, puppets (from simple hand creations to complex shadow or marionettes) have been a traditional favorite for some.

Characters /Most stories revolve around a character (hero, protagonist, counterpoint).  A good story has a memorable and sympathetic figure with which the listener can care and empathize.   The character is the “everyman” of the medieval street theater and yet unique enough to peak interest.

References /Organizations: National Storytelling Network (www.storynet.org);

Support Groups /Join or, if none exists, form a support group.  Focus should be on helping other tellers, self-improvement,  and the active, frequent sharing of stories.  Avoid groups where there is no opportunity for telling, learning, or where the atmosphere is elitist.

  

STORY  FRIENDS

Connecting with others who like to listen to, create, or share stories.  Many organizations exist to help the beginning storyteller.  Some of the major ones are listed below, and some specific to Oklahoma.  

Joining with other tellers is an excellent way to improve your craft, especially if the groups can answer the following:  Are there educational opportunities to improve my skills? Are there performance opportunities so that I can hone my delivery and stage presence? Is the group supportive and willing to help new tellers?

                 NATIONAL STORYTELLING NETWORK    www.storynet.org  
 NETWORK OF BIBLICAL STORYTELLING    www.nobs.org
 NATIONAL ORGANIZATION OF BIBLICAL STORYTELLERS www.nobs.org