I am a huge fan of the oral storytellers. It is almost like being around a campfire or getting a bedtime story read. You guys know this about me.
When I tell my stories, there are differences. While most people tell stories that are generational gifts, I tell stories no one has ever told before. I make them up as I go. I don't write down details before or during but just picture the plot as the words tumble out. This, I have found, is a very healthy exercise for your imagination. It is also one of the hardest creative things I do.
I take two minutes of preparation time to fix an event or person in my head and just go with it. It is generally a full story unless time doesn't permit me to finish. I have performed stories for a number of people, public and private, and have been told it is an amazing thing. I don't think so but it feels good having someone believe I memorized a tale to tell beforehand. Each time I tell a story, it is a new story. There are no different versions of the same one.
Have you ever became a storyteller on the fly? If not, you really should. It stretches you in amazing ways.
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I have updated my "Poetry Corner" page with three new poems and my publications page to include the one from Poetry Quarterly.
Hey Jennifer! That's great you have such a gift with oral story telling. I wish I could. I'm not good on the fly at all. That's why I'm a writer--I have to express myself on paper or it just gets all jumbled and doesnt make any sense.
ReplyDeleteCampfire tales are the best!
You should totally take a video of yourself doing an oral story and post it on here. I used to make up stories when I was a kid and tell them to my friends on the playground but I don't think I could do it now like I use to.
ReplyDeleteThat's an amazing idea! I'd like to try it, but don't feel I am nearly as creative as I used to be. I'd like to hear one of these stories in the future.
ReplyDeleteI used to do this A LOT when I was younger. Not nearly enough anymore.
ReplyDeleteI have been trying very hard to just do a reading of a few poems for this blog, much less a story! lol
ReplyDeleteI get very nervous using media for some reason. Everyone who knows me in life swears I am a social butterfly...