When Fools Rush In: 3 Ways to Boost Wisdom with Story Introductions

A story could survive without an introduction.

Though often a storyteller receives an introduction by an emcee to further excitement from the audience. It seems fair that a story receive an introduction so as to experience similar results.

What to Remember About Introductions:

1. Dedicate Time To Have Intro & Of Appropriate Length

2. Ponder What The Story Means To You

3. Strengthen Lead-ins Without Revealing Plot

Dedicate Time To Have Intro & Of Appropriate Length

Some storytellers tell stories as if careening down a mountainside or as if a “ready, set, go” button was pushed.

I have acted in such a rapid way. When competing in a Liar’s Contest, I had five minutes. One sentence was all I spared to recognize the audience. I would have preferred a few more moments to reach out to the audience.

Any storyteller could make a conscious decision to include an introduction whether it lasts thirty seconds to over a minute.

Ellouise Schoettler, one of the Exchange Place Tellers at the 2009 National Storytelling Festival, was given twelve minutes. At this event, it is taboo to go over time. She considered telling one of her fourteen-minute signature stories. Then, rather than condensing the story and forgoing the introduction, Ellouise chose to tell a seven-minute story with a few minutes of breathing room. After the festival, Ellouise was glad she gave the time to solidify a connection with the audience.

Her wise decision to give time for a story introduction led to a happy memory.

Balance the length of the introduction with the story. I have heard introductions longer than the story! Any introduction over a couple minutes will need strong rationalizations. There are exceptions to any rule. Sometimes a mini story is needed to make way for the longer story.

Ponder What The Story Means To You

Another name for an introduction is a “mindset”. It implies that one must look within first.

All of the reasons that you chose a certain story may not surface as introduction material. However, your tone at the beginning may be influenced by these feelings.

Sometimes we rush to tell a story before understanding why we were drawn to tell it. A perfect answer is not necessary. You may find the answer being “I don’t know” but that would at least proved that you asked yourself the question.

As you gain life experiences, an introduction you used in the past may not be how you feel about the story now. Feel free to change stories as you change.

The current events may convince you to take another route with the introduction. In fact, reminding the audience that you are aware of what they are aware . . .could that be another approach to “mindset”?

Strengthen Lead-ins Without Revealing Plot

I have always appreciated learning trivia before someone tells a story. Perhaps that is why I sometimes love to reveal important symbolism before a tale is told.

If the symbol is not a key part of the plot, however, then it may be better suited for commentary and not an introduction. Though, if it gives away how the plot may resolve, then you may want to rethink your need to share that bit of information.

The title itself could give away the ending. If so, then you either may want to change the title to something less revealing or save to share it at the end as a kind of “by the way” after the applause.

Whenever I tell the Iraqi folktale “The Sparrow and His Wife”, I begin by sharing some facts about the Evil Eye. There is an action done at the end of the story that becomes more meaningful if the audience knows this ahead of time. Could the story be fine without the introduction? Yes. But I have already determined my favorite part of the story and would like the Evil Eye explanation at the start so to magnify the possible reactions from the audience at the end.

So the next time you are ready to tell a story, consider the first words that will come out of your mouth.

Your audience—and story—will appreciate it.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com/

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com/

Family Famine Series Site: http://www.familyfamine.com/

Year of the Family Book: http://www.yearofthefamily.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Are You Hunter or Gatherer? Common Ways Storytellers "Live Off" the Art

Ever since learning about the Ice Age during elementary school years, I delighted in creating dioramas to imagine how people survived once the snow melted.

It was as if we had our mini versions of the museum’s mannequins dressed in buckskin clothes or furs while building a fire, sharpening a spear, or gathering seeds to plant for later.

No matter what culture or country, there has been a history of hunters and gatherers. One way of gaining nutrients is not better than another way. They simply are different.

Naturally, these two ways reflect how storytellers “live off” the art.

Are you a hunter? Are you a gatherer? Are you a mix of both?

Before reading the following statements, consider your experience in the art. Are you new? Are you a veteran of over one or more decades in the art? Ponder on how this experience may affect your answers.

Our hunter and gatherer tendencies may change depending on our stage in the art.

Part 1—

On a piece of paper, write the label “Hunter” and then list numbers 1-7 per line. For each of the seven statements, choose any of the following: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, or Strongly Agree.

1. I enjoy the simplicity of working alone and dwelling in my thoughts.

2. I am frustrated by the conflicting artistic advice from friends and colleagues.

3. I am uncomfortable when a certain number of professional storytellers live in my area.

4. The more I am around other storytellers and artists, then the more distracted I am in regards to my own goals in the art.

5. Clubs, guilds, and organizations add little or no value to what I already know about the art.

6. If I was the only professional storyteller alive, I would still feel motivated to progress in my art.

7. Organizations come and go, but the art is forever.

Now give the following point value for any answers for the above seven statements.

Add your points together.

Total possible = 35 points.

If you have 25-35 points, then you have strong Hunter tendencies.

As Hunter:

You seek out and hunt opportunities and independence. You get your “meat” or performances by the direct actions you take rather than relying on other people or organizations to help make those connections. You improve in the art most when alone and in a calm environment. Although you may interact with other artists, it is more to forward your goals than to progress the vision or mission of others.

Part 2—

On a piece of paper, write the label “Gatherer” and then list numbers 1-7 per line. For each of the seven statements, choose any of the following: Strongly Disagree, Disagree, Neutral, Agree, or Strongly Agree.

1. I am quick to join one or more social networking sites involving storytelling. (Examples: Professional Storyteller social networking site, Facebook, Twitter, etc.)

2. I attend storytelling guilds, gatherings, or other social events on a regular basis.

3. I am willing to rearrange my schedule to attend storytelling social events.

4. I refer often to what I have learned at storytelling conferences or gatherings while talking with others.

5. I am anxious to list or share how the art has been strong in the area to fellow artists, neighbors, or acquaintances.

6. My storytelling activity would decrease if certain storytelling groups or events dissolved.

7. A brainstorm session, whether with strangers or colleagues, would be more valuable than a solo brainstorm session.

Now give the following point value for any answers for the above seven statements.

Add your points together.

Total possible = 35 points.

If you have 25-35 points, then you have strong Gatherer tendencies.

As Gatherer:

You gather information and people connections. You harvest so much sustenance that sometimes the “food” goes into storage until you are ready to intake the message(s) or to build upon the relationship(s) formed. You feel an added energy whenever you are around people—whether colleagues or strangers. You improve in the art most when others are there for you as sounding boards, mentors, or as friends. Although you relish in interacting with others, you sometimes feel an overload. The knowledge you meant to apply might be forgotten and the people you meant to keep in contact are lost.

What If You Are Hunter And Gatherer?—

Take the strengths of the Hunter and the Gatherer and create a balance that will keep you fed through any of the “starving artist” times as well as through the plentiful seasons. Be willing to adapt to use the skills that would be most useful during the current economic times.

There are moments when you need to go off into the “forest” to realize and achieve dreams. Though, whenever going alone, you may want to tell one or more people of your intentions so you have a caring support system in case you get lost.

Even the mighty hunter is not meant to be alone. And the gatherer could always use those quiet moments to put everything into perspective.

So go forth and enjoy your catch or harvest! You deserve it.

In case you were curious, I had 21 points as Hunter and 31 points as Gatherer. Feel free to share your results as a comment to this post.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com/

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com/

Family Famine Series Site: http://www.familyfamine.com/

Year of the Family Book: http://www.yearofthefamily.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

The Call to Lead: 3 Pros & Cons for Tellers to be Event Organizers

When a storyteller graces the stage long enough, it seems only a matter of time when that same storyteller wishes to create other stages for the art.

Opportunities emerge and another festival or event is born.

The dedication and desire to answer the call to lead is commendable.

If storytellers are aware of the advantages and disadvantages of pursuing these ventures, then the strengths could be heightened and the weaknesses reduced or eliminated.

Pros:

1. Awareness of Storyteller Needs for Event

Not everyone understands the storyteller. Some of the basic room set-up and sound check needs are misunderstood or unknown. Nevertheless, our demands usually do not require as much sound equipment or staging as other performing artists.

Before teaching a storytelling workshop, I was able to view the room. I then forwarded to the building coordinator a visual map of how to place the chairs and the kind of microphone that would work best. Rather than having to fix or rearrange chairs in a semi-circle fashion the same day as the session, the presenters had more time to welcome and mingle with attendees so to create a friendlier atmosphere. A teller-turned-producer could educate others and prevent a nightmare such as audience members being on two sides of the teller instead of one side or even a crazy circumstance of an audience completely encircling the teller.

2. Leader on Stage Translates to Leader of Project

The fact that someone has a microphone does not automatically make that person a leader. Yet, the willingness for people to listen is a sign of leadership. A storyteller has the advantage of people wanting to hear what the teller would say. While planning and organizing events, the storyteller could use this confidence to relate ideas with the committee or board.

3. Creative Solutions and Ideas Come Naturally

A storyteller seeks to find a unique way to tell a tale. The same tactics to explore a story could be used as brainstorming tools to think beyond the typical board member. The idea of “play” will excite the others on the committee so that other wonderful and grand ideas surface.

Cons:

1. Torn of When to be Teller vs. Leader

Most people choose to act one role or another. When both roles of teller and leader are attempted, then delegation becomes tricky.

During one festival, a contracted storytellers had an emergency--as sometimes happens--and a last-minute replacement had to be found. With only a day notice, it seemed best for me, the chair, to take that spot since I had a repertoire large enough to change dependent on the audience. Some stories came to mind, but were quickly changed when mostly 1st graders entered the room rather than the expected 4th graders. Meanwhile, since I was telling, I could not be at the storyteller check-in table. One of my committee members had to stay longer at the table than what was intended. Nevertheless, the decision had to be made so the festival could continue to flow without the audience being aware of the desperate change.

2. Less Time on Stage

As consequence of having more duties, a producer may not have a chance to tell stories at the event . . .unless the event is meant to completely spotlight the producer as found with fringe or solo performances. Otherwise, if there are other tellers involved as with a festival, a conflict of interest may develop if the producer is given too much time with the microphone.

3. Focus on Art Distracts from Executive Decisions

An artist tends to think more in idealistic terms than the realistic. The vision may be clear, but then the ability to pursue the dreams may be problematic when faced with budgetary or volunteer restrictions.

So if the call to create or organize event comes to your storyteller mind, embrace it. Build that story for the event that creates your vision of a “happily ever after”.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com/

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com/

Family Famine Series Site: http://www.familyfamine.com/

Year of the Family Book: http://www.yearofthefamily.com
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller