How to Become a Good Storyteller
Not many of us aspire to become storytellers of the level who made it to Moth, but being famous for spinning good yarn has its social implications.
Luckily for all of us, the famous storytelling contest does offer a number of suggestions on its website , probably in an attempt to help people climb the scene for the first time. Not all of them apply to the hobbyist, but some are worth keeping in mind.
Below are some foolproof strategies for turning these anecdotes into a compelling story that invites you wherever the music isn’t too loud.
Know “by heart”
It’s actually kind of poetic – yes, you should know your story, but Moth writes that you should “know your story by heart, not by heart.” You should be very familiar with the highlights of your history, important details, names and places. However, it is our connection with history that makes it compelling, even if it’s just what makes you laugh, cry, or remember a special moment in your life. Other people in the story are drawn to the emotional component, not your ability to impersonate a robot in fact.
Have a strong beginner
But if you’re going to memorize something line by line, make it your first. A convincing start grabs people’s attention. The secret to getting off to a good start usually lies in placing bets on your story:
What will you gain or lose? Why is what happens in history important to you? If you cannot answer this question, think of another. The no-stakes story is an essay and is best taken on the page, not on stage. Start in action.
This is true even if your scene is just a group of people drinking beer at a pinball machine.
Tighten it
As I said above, know the highlights and make sure you get to them in a timely manner. Anette Grant, CEO of Executive Speaking, Inc., wrote for Fast Company a list of do’s and don’ts in storytelling. Three of her six prohibitions are about portraying your story in ways you don’t need to: spend too much time, give too much backstory, and lead your audience through unnecessary workarounds. Grant is primarily concerned with teaching leaders how to tell stories in presentations, so clarity is especially important. But the same applies even when you’re not trying to sell something.
“Stay on track as you build up the action of your story,” Grant writes. “You don’t want to lose momentum and confuse your audience by discussing things that don’t fit your main message.”
Take some breaks
Grant also recommends adding dialogue to the story. If at some point someone is talking to you, do not just say, “Charlie told us to go inside.” Do it something like, “And then Charlie said,” Inside you will find what you are looking for if you are brave enough to come in! »» Characters come alive when we hear them speak.
Stick Landing
Wow, great story! It’s emotional, it has stakes, action, it’s laconic, it has a quirky character, and we can’t wait to see what they’re going to do – but then it kind of fizzles out. No matter what happened before, if you don’t have a strong ending, people won’t remember your story well. It’s a bummer, but it makes sense. We love stories for the sake of reckoning! So think about what your story is about before you tell it. If it doesn’t make sense, that’s okay, but it’s a bad story.
Live your own life
Come out and live! This is how we have the stories to be told first.