What is a storyteller?

In all my gusto to reinvigorate myself, recently, I forgot that many, if not most people probably don't know what a professional storyteller looks like. For instance, my cousin Sara, who let me know that she'd be willing to help me out, but she didn't really understand what I do. And I guess I can't be surprised. My own experience with a storyteller was incidental, though it had a lasting impact on me.

I was 13 and attending a writing camp over the summer. The camp was held at the local high school, which happened to be less than a mile from my home, and I recall walking at least once. Somewhere in the middle of the two weeks we were all herded into the high school theatre (a room with a large, high stage that I would dance on just a few years later- oh, you didn't know I danced? That's another story... I digress) and the lights were low. Probably the lights were not really lowered, it just felt that way. A woman with a long skirt stood on the floor in front of the stage and told us several stories. One of the stories was "Godfather Death" which was one of the first stories I learned to tell. I was completely captivated by her and more than a little in awe of how quickly she caught all of us up in her net. It was over too soon, but I didn't forget her. She hadn't used a book, or notes, or a podium. She was just a direct conduit for a story. It was like touching her hand and being jolted with electicity.

For a while I thought about what she had done and wondered if there was a way I could learn to do that. I didn't ask anyone. I didn't even havet he guts to audition for plays in high school, much less go looking for someone to teach me how to electrocute other people like that. I didn't get the guts to try theatre until college, and I never would have learned to tell stories if I hadn't gone to graduate school. (That may be an exaggeration. You don't have to go to graduate school to learn to tell stories.)

Storytelling is probably the first, and oldest form of art. It's an oral art form that connects human beings by sharing the essence of what it is to be humanand to have human experiences. But for my cousin Sara who has never seen the likes of Elizabeth Ellis or Bill Harley or Jackie Torrence or Donald Davis or Michael D. McCarty... that still doesn't explain the Professional Storyteller. What Sara doesn't understand is that she's seen it in a non-professional setting a million times. There are a little more theatrics involved and there is a protocol as in any performance situation, but really it's just what Ray Hicks always thought it was: Just part of life. It was a way we connect and communicate who we are and what we belive to one another.

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My Cousin Audrey reminded me the other day that you don't wait until you are what you want to become to start acting and dressing like it- you act and dress like what you want to become long before you reach your goal. So I'm working all that out in specific ways, but in one way I can go ahead and claim it- I am a storyteller. I tell stories

Anyone else have anything to add to that?

What she said

So if you check out my post from yesterday I spouted a whole bunch of stuff about being more focused in an area of my life that I have let go for a while. I was very passionate and serious, and... vauge.

Grrr.

So my illustrious twin sister did what she has been doing for a while now. She gave me a nudge. Every few weeks on Friday my sister will call me- seemingly out of the blue- and we'll chat a few minutes and she asks me what I've done... It catches me off guard every time. And every time I have to tell her that, no, I have not done anything about my desire to start doing storytelling in Oklahoma.

So, yesterday she left me a comment using a word I had sort of glossed over. Goals. She means in a specific way. You don't have to go read it, I'll just quote it.

"You only achieve the goals you set before yourself."

So here they are:

1. I will have at least six shows this year (whether they be paid or unpaid!).
2. I will do at least one talk in a professional or academic setting about the value and art of storytelling.

I'm not just setting these before myself, but before you as well. I mean YOU as in all of you nebulous people who read the badly spelled ramblings of a slacker storyteller. It would be useful if you applied peer pressure by randomly asking me about whether I have done anything to achieve these goals, like say in social settings in front of other people. I'm hoping that the fear of unexpected mocking might help create some motivation.

Also, it might be helpful if you could look around yourself and see if there is a way you could help me achieve my goal. If you have a kid in preschool, you could ask the teacher if they'd like your good friend to come do a free show so she can get back into the swing of things (I'm rusty enough that I wouldn't think of charging anyone right now). I've told to all age groups (Preschool to senior citizens), and all sorts of different groups (Christian Christmas party for retired adults to a group of mentally/physically handicapped womem in a day facility). I actually have a decent repretiore if I get out my files and put a little rehearsal time in.

At one point my real goal was to speak to women in Christian settings- ladies days and retreats. I did two speaking engagements, but they did not go as well as I had hoped and I let the whole thing go. I'm starting to think that I was too easily discouraged, so I'm trying to go back to the devotional book I was writing... maybe a goal for a later time.

Let me know what you think- like I said, I'm looking to be challenged.

New and Old

So, I've changed the layout on my blog, yet again. I liked the picture of my little house, especially since the daffodils are blooming and the cicadas are returning (their chanting is slowly growing louder as the nights are warming), but there has been slow return to focus in my life. For a long time my focus has been my little Monkey, and anything new I was trying. A few times I sat back and contemplated a change in the name of my blog since it is somewhat misleading about the content.

However, I realized that changing the name wasn't really what was needed. This blog is a chronicle of my journey as a storyteller. It is the story of my journey, and as in any journey there are times when we take detours and meander down side paths that lead to nice places, but not our ultimate destinations.

Do not misunderstand my confusing metaphors... My home, husband and child are more than distractions to me... it's just that I have felt my development as a storyteller grind to a halt and slowly cease all together. My hope is that I can find a little more focus for that area of my life.

To be honest, I dislike the picture in the header that I am using at the moment. It's from the Story Tsunami Concert in Jonesboro from several years ago. It's out of date and not very flattering, but I was focused, then, on a craft that I want to be focused on again.

If anyone is looking for a storyteller in the Oklahoma City area, let me know... I'm looking to dust off a few tales.

Chara

bible class

Jonah and his friend Dax in Bible Class. Can you tell that my child knows when he's on camera?

Dirt Don't Hurt

Ah, Spring has Sprung, here in Oklahoma. It's been in the 80's the last two days. We've even had flowers coming up.

Which means that Jonah has had a lot of fun playing outside.


And, really, is there anything more fun than climbing into your mother's planters?

Right after she sprayed the dirt with the hose?I think it's bath time.

Can't wait till we can get the pool out again.

Zoo Friends

Christa, Tara and Laura, with Ava, Haydn and Louise.

My sisters have been visiting with their sweet girls and we have been rather busy... see, I do have a good excuse for not having posted!

Yesterday we went to the zoo- and what an adventure!

We left at 1:25 and were running late, but it wasn't a big deal since we were meeting our cousins Audrey and Amanda, and they didn't mind. We were about a mile away when something happened in my car. Louise Puked. Then Jonah puked. Good times.

We went home while everyone else ate lunch at the zoo. After a quick bath and a change of clothes (good thing Louise is the same size as Jonah) we went back. After that it was pretty much good times. We saw tigers and bears and fish and deer and turkeys and giraffes and monkeys.

(Compliments Audrey Dodgen)

Haydn, Enjoying the bamboo forrest.

Ava and Audrey enjoying the monkeys.

Laura and Louise checking out the pygmy hippo.

Just FYI

I'll have lots to say in a few days. My sisters are all in town and so I've been out of the house with Jonah... neglecting the homestead to spend time with my best friends.

Check them out...

Laura's Blogs (HEY! She's hosting a tea-towel swap if you're interested...Check her out!)

Tara's blog (As my Uncle pointed out the other day, it's fun to watch her stress level)

Sorry, no blog for Christa... we tried the peer pressure thing and it isn't working.