That Elton John video from yesterday's post has really caught my mind. As Thelma noted, I'm always thinking. Doesn't everyone do that? I'm washing dishes, and I'm turning some thought nugget around in my head and trying to make sense of it. Scrubbing the toilet and thinking about something I read. Making the bed and pondering the people of the world without beds. I do that all the time. Do you?
Anyway, my thinking yesterday revolved around all the stories we are surrounded by but never, ever know. Sometimes it is a matter of never getting to meet (or take the time to get to know) people and their stories. Other times those stories are locked up deep inside the person, never to be told.
I guess that I am a story teller by nature. I believe that anyone who reads stories is a story teller themselves.
There is a story telling guild starting locally. I would like to join in. I've had a little experience with historical story telling which I loved, but too often, it involved people who couldn't stick with the theme. They wanted to promote their own writing, their own stories, which were good, don't get me wrong, but it wasn't the place for them. The focus was supposed to be on the crazy Newboldt sisters who lived in a falling down mansion for years, dying off one by one, until they were all gone. What a great story. The story of the war of 1812 did not fit in.
So...I probably won't join with that group again, as much as I would love to.
In the end though, a story teller is going to find an audience, and the stories are going to be told. I guess that is why I love blogging. I may not have met most of you in real life, but we know the story of each other.
That's a cool thing.
In the film Shadowlands one of CS Lewis's Oxford literary students says: " I read to know I am not alone". I would say: " I write to know I am not alone". I really enjoyed this post Debby.
ReplyDeleteYou are definitely not alone, Northsider. You've got me propagating on the other side of the pond.
DeleteI love reading your blog. You have so much to share and do it so well
ReplyDeleteHow very nice! Thank you.
DeleteSeconding Northsider's comment.
ReplyDeleteSometimes you can't talk to local friends as you can to fellow bloggers
I agree with that. The nice thing also is that you can throw some random thought out there and find people who think the same way. Tremendously reassuring!
DeleteStorytelling is a big part of my life, to adults, at festivals, and in schools, I tell folk tales, personal and literary stories, and crafted stories. If you are at all interested--do explore it. There are also an abundance of Zoom story swaps and events you might like. Look at the events calendar. https://voicesintheglen.org/events/
ReplyDeleteThat looks quite interesting. I was interested in the location. I used to live in the area. Glen Echo park. I had friends in Glen Burnie. I will be interested to read those stories. Thanks!
DeleteI am one of the older grand children in my family. I remember my grandparents and older family members from when I was young so every so often, I am doing something, and it brings to memory something of my childhood. I usually go on FB and write the story; my younger cousins love to read these things. I have about 30 or so cousins on FB and one of them told me she prints out every story I write and saves it in a folder. Some of them have asks me to write a book about Granny and Pap and memories. I am not a writer so probably just keep telling my stories. My son is writing a book now on his Army Ranger years. Try the club, you can always drop out if it is not what you like.
ReplyDeleteYou should try recording those stories for your relatives, Ellie. They are valuable. The stories are what stitch families together, I think.
DeleteI enjoy hearing the stories of others and perhaps it's why historical fiction is one of my favorite reading genres. We attended a couple of story telling festivals years ago and they were so interesting, but I never checked whether any such groups are available here in our part of NH. My story telling is done on blogger whether about road travels, something I have read about or seen or just random thoughts.
ReplyDeleteAnd, it also one of the reasons I also enjoy blogging for the opportunity to read about the lives, thoughts and travels of others...and also to share my own. And, yes, it really is a very cool thing!
I bet you will find that they are.
DeleteI love elliek's storytelling of family stories to younger generations! I love to learn and tell stories. IF I can stick to my topic, I can reel in a crowd, lol. For example, I attended a certain class at a group conference. On the way home I re - presented the topic and enthralled the van load. I research more and was asked to do two presentations on my story. I also shared a geneolgy story recently at our local club that was a huge hit. It was a great story of discovery of a humerous, historical lifetime movie type event. And at the end I shared that this wild goose research project uncovered that the participant I was researching was actually not a relative, but someone using their name as alias. I love listening to storyteller. Do you ever listen to NPR's Story Corp?
ReplyDeleteThe stories are what knits a family together, don't you think? I have heard some of the stories. Unfortunately, we don't get NPR on our car radios. I think that I need to start listening to it on Pandora.
DeleteI can’t properly tell a story or a joke. Even writing, my blog is more essay than narrative, I would say.
ReplyDeleteThat was me, AC
DeleteI will remind you, my friend, that a picture is worth a thousand words. That is where your skills lie, and that is nothing to be sneezed at.
DeleteSome of my favorite storytellers were people who wrote weekly articles for local newspaper telling local stories, ones that I could really relate too. I have always thought that would be a noble profession to do but alas, by the time I had time to write such stories, my local newspapers were all but gone or pared down enough to where they don't include such articles anymore. The closest I have is Blogger and I don't really right local stories just to remain somewhat anonymous.
ReplyDeleteYes. Newspapers are a thing of the past, sadly.
DeleteI am like another commenter, can't tell a joke, nor a story. But ramble I can! And I do love listening or reading others' stories.
ReplyDeleteI can never remember jokes. But I can remember every funny thing that has ever happened to me!!!
DeleteI would love to be able to tell a story in a way that captures someone's interest. Without that talent I shall stick to just writing my blog diary.
ReplyDeleteI think, as usual, my dear, you are underestimating yourself! Your blog is interesting and dull people don't write interesting things.
DeleteI see blogs as a way for us to tell our stories and to hear others' stories. I love this about it. You are a GOOD storyteller, Debby.
ReplyDeleteAs are you, Mary Moon.
DeleteThinking is why I walk to my bedroom to get something and return without it. Thinking is why I put two spreads on top of a slice of bread and I certainly did not invent something tasty. I am not sure this thinking business is such a good idea.
ReplyDeleteVerbal story telling takes a certain skillset and if you've got it, flaunt it, although I suppose writing does too, just a different set.
Verbal is more challenging, I think, because when you are writing, if you don't like a word, you can back up and change it. You can't do that when you are talking. I am also a very selfconscious person, so that is something I have to choke back. When I write, I have no self consciousness at all.
DeleteAs I read your post, I was thinking that you ARE a story teller in your blog, Debby, and I love to hear your stories.
ReplyDeleteWhen I was searching in my basement today, I came across a set of prints of scenes from around the country. One was titled, "Pennsylvania Amish Farmer" and I immediately thought of you and your Amish friends.
That's a nice thing, to be a thought in someone else's mind. Thanks, Ellen!
DeleteStory telling and audience go together. We have a story to tell and we have to have an audience in mind. Sometimes it's a bit difficult to find that audience.
ReplyDeleteI think when you have a good story, you attract your audience. You. Tell a good story. Your audience found you.
ReplyDeleteThere are many kinds of storytelling. The written word, the told story, the filmed story, others. I was a professional oral storyteller for 25 years, and there is so much involved in doing that, most of which is never visible to the audience: things like the research, story development, building a strong opening and a good closing, decisions as to what audience the story should be for, how long the story should be, vocabulary choices, use of body language and vocal inflections, whether to include any audience participation. Then there is the question of a sound system, when and if to use it. Then practice, practice, practice. Audience control techniques are vital, as are considerations of the venue. The list could go on and on. Getting up and talking is one thing, but really telling a story is completely different. I loved it, but can't say I miss all the work lol! And I didnt even mention the record keeping and promotion aspects!
ReplyDeleteThis particular group takes it's stories to venues. We use their sound systems. Perhaps if the group grew....
DeleteEveryone has a story to tell and if it doesn't interest one type of person it will surely interest another. Reading blogs is a good way to find interesting people.
ReplyDeleteOur paths probably would never have crossed otherwise!
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