April 27 is National Tell-a-Story Day in the United States. As you might suspect, that's my kind of holiday.
A quick story about the image on the right: Years ago, I was hiking with my young daughters in Malibu Creek State Park one spring day, and, as we came upon a little creek, I was so taken by the view of the mountains ahead, then and there I had to start sketching. The resulting drawing would serve as my business "cover letter," complete with the logo, "Have cursor, will travel." We later learned the mountainous area was the setting for the opening credits of "M.A.S.H." (both the movie and television series) with cameras rolling as a helicopter crossed the landscape.
Cranking open a window to share your world view does take emotional muscle. What if your world view doesn't interest someone? What if you suffer from TMI and spill too much information, only to launch your audience into fits of coughing, checking the contents of their wallets, or otherwise body-language slamming you to, "Stop, please."
You could search for more tolerant friends. I listen closely to other people to discover what it is that makes good storytelling. For me, it is in the curious and the unexpected detail. I like moments that remind me, "When I woke this morning, I had no idea I'd experience this." It is surprise or excitement that moves a story along at a satisfying pace.
Easing children into learning to refine the story-telling skill takes a village. I've found listening to children as they share their unbridled observations often leads to revelations. Eons ago, a man named Art Linkletter amused television audiences in his conversations with children on "Kids Say the Darndest Things." They still do. (Of course, that doesn't give us free rein to tell a lot of cute grandchildren stories.)
Since laughter is a special gift we offer each other, timing seems paramount to storytelling. In her 2012 breezy bio, "If You Ask me (And of Course You Won't)," actress Betty White (now 93-years old) attributes timing to her comedic success. In this slim book, she conveys her love of animals to promote pet projects with stories she might readily share at a fundraiser. The effect is charming.
I do enjoy being charmed, amused and engaged by stories of other people's lives. Whether you are a child or have survived several decades, you have stories to tell. Always, as the 19th Century writer Oscar Wilde said, "Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.”
For samples of my fiction stories and nonfiction, check this site's Short Story page and its Essays: Boom.
Hiking in Malibu Creek State Park