Storytelling
Here we are, well into the lusty month of May, and I haven’t had anything to say for months. Not here, anyway. A rep of the company that hosts my website actually phoned the other day to remind me that web crawlers won’t find my blog unless I post new content. Hmm. That makes it seem like I’ve been goofing off. Actually I’ve been out and about— storytelling.
Storytelling sounds like “business as usual” for a writer/performer like me. It’s anything but. In recent months I’ve been persuaded to set aside the piece of paper, and just TELL the story. That’s right—no safety net. When it comes to connecting with an audience, telling tales trumps reading them. But embracing “off the cuff” storytelling was traumatic for someone settled in her ways. It’s been scary trying to persuade my protesting brain that I won’t “blank” in front of a crowd—or, if I do, it won’t be the end of the world. (And I have. And it wasn’t. Thank goodness. I’d hate to have the end of the world on my conscience.)
I’ve told true stories about being a mother-of-the-bride with a black eye. And about my days working as a chicken plucker, a travel trailer electrician, and even a brothel owner (okay, an inadvertent brothel owner—the building I bought came with a few surprises). Audiences laughed so I hard I got brave enough to do some storytelling about my colonoscopy cruise. Tomorrow (as befits the lusty month of May) I’m going to tell an audience about my crush on George Clooney. And how crushed I am to hear he’s planning to tie the knot. If you can’t be at Around Town Tellers, here’s a little sample:
Storytelling has been a stretch from writing funny fiction and reading it aloud to audiences. It’s a new kind of fun. 
I’ve been “telling” around the Island, and even in Vancouver—solo, and with my WordChickz performing partner, Cindy Shantz. If those web crawlers think I’ve been slacking off, they’re not crawling the right corners!
Spring is sprung, and all the world is new. I dare YOU to try something new too. What life story have you got to tell?
If you enjoyed this article, please consider sharing it!
5 Responses to Storytelling
“Judy, thank you for entertaining our members with your quick wit and hilarious delivery of seriously funny humour. You had us in stitches!”
John O’Malley, President,
Bastion City Probus ClubLaughter is the best medicine—unless you have diarrhea.
Kay Morrison – AATH
(Association for Applied & Therapeutic Humor)
I’ve got lots of life stories to tell! Brava to you for telling stories without your notes. I’d love to do that so I’ll work towards it. I also love improv so perhaps a few words from the audience and I’d be on my way . . .
You’ll be a natural, Mary Ann. Go for it!
Out of Africa’s Tania Blixen would tell stories aloud – she’d say, “Give me the first line” – and then she’d go on from there. I always thought that a good idea – although one never knows how the story will unfold.
That takes courage (or improv training). It’s amazing what the mind can come up with when put on the spot, though! Thanks, Melanie.
That’ll show ’em!