6 ms·

So how does one become a good storyteller? Obviously it takes experience but is there a book that anyone can recommend to get an edge?

by Axsuul 10y ago

kleer001 10y ago
Book? I got nuthin'. Podcast however, there's "Writing Excuses". I've been listening for years. Totally amazing depth and breadth, hundreds of episodes covering all aspects of storytelling and authorship.
curiousgal 10y ago
https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/2y13rm/lpt_request_how_to_be_better_storyteller/ https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/2y13rm/lpt_req...
jackarbitrage 10y ago
I've been interviewed/kept a personal video diary since the 3rd grade (over 15 years) and I can attest to the benefits mentioned in the article. A friend and I started a company that helps make it easy to tell your own story and prompts to with questions to get started. It's called "Emberall" and is on the iOS App Store if you want to try it out.
AlexCoventry 10y ago
This is at least a good read, and on-topic. Whether it gives you an edge, I can't say. https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Design-Working-Imagination-Craft/dp/0393320219/ https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Design-Working-Imagination-...
deleted 10y ago
[deleted]
Theodores 10y ago
Storytelling is learned as a child, think about it - every day child comes home and tells mummy all about their day. In this circumstance mummy can say 'very good, now play over there!' or they can ask questions about the story, e.g. ask for details to be explained or parts told again. It is this storytelling ability learned as a child rather than anything that can be done as an adult. You could learn and master everything this guy says about writing a good story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McKee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McKee But it is not about that, it is about simple stories. A lot of people travel to very nice places on holiday, some people don't get to do that. But have you noticed people that you work with go somewhere fantastic and then have nothing to say about it? Bad storytelling!!! Meanwhile, a good storyteller will be able to walk into town, or maybe just take their dog for a walk and be able to come back with a story. The story could be anecdotal, something seen along the way, or it could be about some other dog and owner met. Bungie jumping in Borneo might not be something that really helps conversation, people don't relate to it, no matter how outer-worldly it is. However, meeting a sweet dog and lovely owner, a story can come out of that, one that can be related to. Going back to childhood, there are other opportunities - the formal dinner setting where adults are willing to listen to a child's story. For a child to hold their own and maybe get laughs, that all has to be learned. If the child has a reputation for disruption then the invite to the top table will not be a thing and the opportunity to tell stories in a way that works with an audience is not there. If a child is brought up without love then there is no chance for that child to learn how to tell stories in a social setting, i.e. relevant (beginning, middle, end), with audience engaged, true rather than fanciful, with consideration for others that are different and so on. The ability to tell stories that people want to hear should be an innate thing, developed with language. But some kids are not loved and therefore do not have that social engagement where stories are shared. These kids grow up in their own world so they do have stories but they only make sense in their world, not some broader happy society context. Hence not good story tellers. The motivation and the innate ability is not there. Therefore I suspect that there are reasons why being a good storyteller is a signifier. Would you want someone that does not do stories to be parenting your child? No. For men this is not thought of as such a big deal, but why is this? Men do not have maternal instincts and it is the 'mother's tongue' that gets learned for a good reason. Women know they can get a more loving partner by rating the story telling ability of men, men don't always care about that. It is possible to help someone that is not a good storyteller become better at it. This involves treating them a little bit like how you might have a conversation with an 8 year old child, asking lots of basic questions to get them comfortable sharing the story. I have yet to meet a human being that does not like talking, even if shy. Just through listening and questions one can get someone able to do things like stick to the plot and not go rambling off. Then through normal friendship you can get them to want to share stories. So far everything is all about them... But, listen, ask the right questions. Then, as time goes by you can start to get to talk about other stories, e.g. one's own or the world at large, or involving a shared interest. This sort of therapy is not available on the NHS, however, people do make friends at work and those that don't have the childhood wiring for good storytelling can be brought into the fold, gossip coaxed out of them on tea breaks. Clearly the internet has created new opportunities for storytelling. If you are not from that broken home/foster home background where things like storytelling just do not get learned, then what to do? Write!!! If you get good feedback on your writing then you will be encouraged to further develop your storytelling ability. Although there are big books that can tell you how to do it better, practice is the true teacher. With respect to the article, I see storytelling as something very much tied into child development and I don't see how that aspect can't be gone into properly.
- maxxxxx 10y ago
  Tend to agree here. In my family nobody ever listened so even now I feel rushed when I tell a story. The good storytellers I know assume that people are listening and take their time.
- copperx 10y ago
  > I have yet to meet a human being that does not like talking In all seriousness, that just means that you haven't met me.
- pbz 10y ago
  Wow, what an insightful post! What are some of these "big books" you alluded to?
  - Theodores 10y ago
    Things like McKee`s Story, teaches people how to write for soaps and the like where there is a team of writers and some complex process. I believe that those books are only any good if you are good, i.e. able to write confidently and break the rules :-) I don`t believe in going over technical on these things, normally I want to actually tell a story rather than have people tuning in to commercials and a whole series. But it is necessary to be able to at least know of story structures useful to take your audience on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Doing that through practice rather than because some book recommends it is the way though, practice!!!
- enraged_camel 10y ago
  >>But have you noticed people that you work with go somewhere fantastic and then have nothing to say about it? Bad storytelling!!! I'm not a bad storyteller. I just like to think about the future and discuss ideas with people, rather than think about the past and discuss events.
  - dualogy 10y ago
    Cool story
flycaliguy 10y ago
I'd recommend Impro by Keith Johnstone. He also has a sequel of sorts called Impro for Storytellers but having read both I'd say go with Impro. It's actually a really interesting read in our modern age of status update storytelling. It deals directly with the art of "status play" as the key to being amusing. It's amazing how much of making people laugh and enjoy your company comes down to managing your display of status and being able to diminish it for other's pleasure. I have the curse/gift of growing up in a Maritime family with deep Scottish and Irish roots. Talk about a group that values the art of diminished status.
- l33tbro 10y ago
  Is there much more to "diminishing status" than self-deprecation?
  - tbrownaw 10y ago
    The two have very little to do with eachother. It's mostly about mannerisms / body language, largely w.r.t. interactions.
    - l33tbro 10y ago
      WRT standing for?
      - sethammons 10y ago
        With Regards To
        l33tbro 10y ago
        Got it. I'm a hobbyist stand-up, so this will be helpful.
0898 10y ago
The problem people have with this whole 'storytelling' thing is actually finding stories. I wrote a book called Hooked On You that shows you where to get stories from, and how to attach your message to them. It's on Amazon, or free on Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/hookedonyou https://leanpub.com/hookedonyou
julienchastang 10y ago
I would suggest joining a Toastmasters International club. There are TM clubs literally all over the planet and there are probably several in your area (LA, I am sure, has many).
- meric 10y ago
  The one I went to once, people were talking but I didn't feel they were genuine.
  - julienchastang 10y ago
    As they say at TMs, every club is different and you have to check out a few before finding one you like.
- navbaker 10y ago
  Can I ask where on the personality spectrum you fall? I am quite introverted, but also in a leadership position where, due to being placed in positions of increasing responsibility, have to talk in front of people semi-regularly. I've given some thought to joining TM for practice controlling nerves before speaking, do you have personal experience with the group?
  - julienchastang 10y ago
    I am a complete introvert and was more fearful of public speaking than probably anyone you know. That's why I joined toastmasters which was supremely challenging at first, but through repeated desensitization (i.e., practice) you become less fearful. Public speaking is still not my favorite thing, but at least it is not limiting my personal and professional growth. I can now give talks at conferences without having a complete panic attack. There are other benefits too like practicing your extemporaneous speaking skills (table topics for you TMs out there) such that you sound cogent even when someone catches you off guard.
    - navbaker 10y ago

So how does one become a good storyteller? Obviously it takes experience but is there a book that anyone can recommend to get an edge?

by Axsuul 10y ago

So how does one become a good storyteller? Obviously it takes experience but is there a book that anyone can recommend to get an edge?

kleer001 10y ago

Book? I got nuthin'. Podcast however, there's "Writing Excuses". I've been listening for years. Totally amazing depth and breadth, hundreds of episodes covering all aspects of storytelling and authorship.

curiousgal 10y ago

https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/2y13rm/lpt_request_how_to_be_better_storyteller/ https://www.reddit.com/r/LifeProTips/comments/2y13rm/lpt_req...

jackarbitrage 10y ago

I've been interviewed/kept a personal video diary since the 3rd grade (over 15 years) and I can attest to the benefits mentioned in the article. A friend and I started a company that helps make it easy to tell your own story and prompts to with questions to get started. It's called "Emberall" and is on the iOS App Store if you want to try it out.

AlexCoventry 10y ago

This is at least a good read, and on-topic. Whether it gives you an edge, I can't say. https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Design-Working-Imagination-Craft/dp/0393320219/ https://www.amazon.com/Narrative-Design-Working-Imagination-...

deleted 10y ago

[deleted]

Theodores 10y ago

Storytelling is learned as a child, think about it - every day child comes home and tells mummy all about their day. In this circumstance mummy can say 'very good, now play over there!' or they can ask questions about the story, e.g. ask for details to be explained or parts told again. It is this storytelling ability learned as a child rather than anything that can be done as an adult. You could learn and master everything this guy says about writing a good story: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McKee https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Robert_McKee But it is not about that, it is about simple stories. A lot of people travel to very nice places on holiday, some people don't get to do that. But have you noticed people that you work with go somewhere fantastic and then have nothing to say about it? Bad storytelling!!! Meanwhile, a good storyteller will be able to walk into town, or maybe just take their dog for a walk and be able to come back with a story. The story could be anecdotal, something seen along the way, or it could be about some other dog and owner met. Bungie jumping in Borneo might not be something that really helps conversation, people don't relate to it, no matter how outer-worldly it is. However, meeting a sweet dog and lovely owner, a story can come out of that, one that can be related to. Going back to childhood, there are other opportunities - the formal dinner setting where adults are willing to listen to a child's story. For a child to hold their own and maybe get laughs, that all has to be learned. If the child has a reputation for disruption then the invite to the top table will not be a thing and the opportunity to tell stories in a way that works with an audience is not there. If a child is brought up without love then there is no chance for that child to learn how to tell stories in a social setting, i.e. relevant (beginning, middle, end), with audience engaged, true rather than fanciful, with consideration for others that are different and so on. The ability to tell stories that people want to hear should be an innate thing, developed with language. But some kids are not loved and therefore do not have that social engagement where stories are shared. These kids grow up in their own world so they do have stories but they only make sense in their world, not some broader happy society context. Hence not good story tellers. The motivation and the innate ability is not there. Therefore I suspect that there are reasons why being a good storyteller is a signifier. Would you want someone that does not do stories to be parenting your child? No. For men this is not thought of as such a big deal, but why is this? Men do not have maternal instincts and it is the 'mother's tongue' that gets learned for a good reason. Women know they can get a more loving partner by rating the story telling ability of men, men don't always care about that. It is possible to help someone that is not a good storyteller become better at it. This involves treating them a little bit like how you might have a conversation with an 8 year old child, asking lots of basic questions to get them comfortable sharing the story. I have yet to meet a human being that does not like talking, even if shy. Just through listening and questions one can get someone able to do things like stick to the plot and not go rambling off. Then through normal friendship you can get them to want to share stories. So far everything is all about them... But, listen, ask the right questions. Then, as time goes by you can start to get to talk about other stories, e.g. one's own or the world at large, or involving a shared interest. This sort of therapy is not available on the NHS, however, people do make friends at work and those that don't have the childhood wiring for good storytelling can be brought into the fold, gossip coaxed out of them on tea breaks. Clearly the internet has created new opportunities for storytelling. If you are not from that broken home/foster home background where things like storytelling just do not get learned, then what to do? Write!!! If you get good feedback on your writing then you will be encouraged to further develop your storytelling ability. Although there are big books that can tell you how to do it better, practice is the true teacher. With respect to the article, I see storytelling as something very much tied into child development and I don't see how that aspect can't be gone into properly.

maxxxxx 10y ago
Tend to agree here. In my family nobody ever listened so even now I feel rushed when I tell a story. The good storytellers I know assume that people are listening and take their time.
copperx 10y ago
> I have yet to meet a human being that does not like talking In all seriousness, that just means that you haven't met me.
pbz 10y ago
Wow, what an insightful post! What are some of these "big books" you alluded to?
- Theodores 10y ago
  Things like McKee`s Story, teaches people how to write for soaps and the like where there is a team of writers and some complex process. I believe that those books are only any good if you are good, i.e. able to write confidently and break the rules :-) I don`t believe in going over technical on these things, normally I want to actually tell a story rather than have people tuning in to commercials and a whole series. But it is necessary to be able to at least know of story structures useful to take your audience on a bit of an emotional rollercoaster. Doing that through practice rather than because some book recommends it is the way though, practice!!!
enraged_camel 10y ago
>>But have you noticed people that you work with go somewhere fantastic and then have nothing to say about it? Bad storytelling!!! I'm not a bad storyteller. I just like to think about the future and discuss ideas with people, rather than think about the past and discuss events.
- dualogy 10y ago
  Cool story

flycaliguy 10y ago

I'd recommend Impro by Keith Johnstone. He also has a sequel of sorts called Impro for Storytellers but having read both I'd say go with Impro. It's actually a really interesting read in our modern age of status update storytelling. It deals directly with the art of "status play" as the key to being amusing. It's amazing how much of making people laugh and enjoy your company comes down to managing your display of status and being able to diminish it for other's pleasure. I have the curse/gift of growing up in a Maritime family with deep Scottish and Irish roots. Talk about a group that values the art of diminished status.

l33tbro 10y ago
Is there much more to "diminishing status" than self-deprecation?
- tbrownaw 10y ago
  The two have very little to do with eachother. It's mostly about mannerisms / body language, largely w.r.t. interactions.
  - l33tbro 10y ago
    WRT standing for?
    - sethammons 10y ago
      With Regards To
      - l33tbro 10y ago
        Got it. I'm a hobbyist stand-up, so this will be helpful.

0898 10y ago

The problem people have with this whole 'storytelling' thing is actually finding stories. I wrote a book called Hooked On You that shows you where to get stories from, and how to attach your message to them. It's on Amazon, or free on Leanpub: https://leanpub.com/hookedonyou https://leanpub.com/hookedonyou

julienchastang 10y ago

I would suggest joining a Toastmasters International club. There are TM clubs literally all over the planet and there are probably several in your area (LA, I am sure, has many).

meric 10y ago
The one I went to once, people were talking but I didn't feel they were genuine.
- julienchastang 10y ago
  As they say at TMs, every club is different and you have to check out a few before finding one you like.
navbaker 10y ago
Can I ask where on the personality spectrum you fall? I am quite introverted, but also in a leadership position where, due to being placed in positions of increasing responsibility, have to talk in front of people semi-regularly. I've given some thought to joining TM for practice controlling nerves before speaking, do you have personal experience with the group?
- julienchastang 10y ago
  I am a complete introvert and was more fearful of public speaking than probably anyone you know. That's why I joined toastmasters which was supremely challenging at first, but through repeated desensitization (i.e., practice) you become less fearful. Public speaking is still not my favorite thing, but at least it is not limiting my personal and professional growth. I can now give talks at conferences without having a complete panic attack. There are other benefits too like practicing your extemporaneous speaking skills (table topics for you TMs out there) such that you sound cogent even when someone catches you off guard.
  - navbaker 10y ago