Storytelling for Families

My girls got their latest issue of "Ranger Rick" magazine today (June 2009), and inside was a spooky ghost-story, as well as some tips for budding young storytellers:

"Start with something real...set your story in the place where you are...This will keep your audience guessing about whether your tale is true or not."

"Use a dramatic voice...For a spooky story, use pauses to build the suspense."

"Before you start, have the ending in mind...You can add details along the way, but it's best to know where you're headed."

"What if you don't have a story idea in mind? Start a group story instead. Go around the circle and have everyone add a line or two. The results will be ridiculous - and very funny!"

The article suggests that readers can use these tips for entertaining family & friends during upcoming summer campouts, and also for the Great American Backyard Campout on June 27th.

I like the idea of promoting family/friends storytelling. My kids have become interested in storytelling since I've been taking this course and talking to them about what I've been doing. In the last few weeks, especially since my preparation for our recent storytelling party, my girls have been busy trying to outdo one another with their own stories. And kids seem to be naturals at this, because for the most part I've found them to be not nearly as self-conscious as adults. As an example, here's a short video from the storytelling party I and two of our classmates had. One of our guests, 9-year-old Owen, told me that he wanted to tell a story too, and that he had one in mind that he wanted to share. I didn't have any idea what he was going to share with us before he began, but I think Owen did a great job...and he was certainly more at ease with telling his story than I was for mine (perhaps his more off-the-cuff, less practiced approach helped?).

So my girls and I decided to start doing storytelling nights on Wednesdays after dinner. If it works out for the three of us, and if we're enjoying it, we may decide to do this as an occasional event to do with friends. Who knows...it could turn out to be a great family tradition (and, as a bonus, if I produce future internationally-renowned storytellers, then they'll have to give me credit at the award ceremonies for beginning them on their journeys!)