MY FIRST STORY TELLING EXPERIENCE

I was first introduced to Story Telling by a friend.  I had never heard of adult story telling before.  I asked her if I had to do or say anything and she assured me I just had to sit there and listen.  I am good at that, so I went with her.

 

The person that was in charge that evening gave us all a piece of paper with a short story on it. She told us to partner with someone we didn't know and after spending a few minutes reading the story, we had to tell it to our partner.  I looked over at my friend and she looked as startled as I was.  I thought, of course I can do this as the person who was my partner was smiling and quite friendly.  After this exercise the leader said alright we are going to go around the circle and each tell their little story!!  I looked at my friend again, only this time I had a look of terror on my face.  I thought Oh no!!! I only want to sit here and listen.  Everyone else took their turn, so I did the best I could, very thankful when it was over.  My friend, who knows me well, said she thought I was going to bolt for the door, which is exactly what I felt like doing.  However, I stayed, and thoroughly enjoyed the remainder of the evening and have not missed a story telling night since.

I took Rita Grimaldi’s Story Telling Workshop, and found it very helpful.  Our stories were critiqued but in a very safe and encouraging way, and positive suggestions given.  We were all there to learn how to tell a story, so it was a very comfortable, friendly and non- judgmental atmosphere in which to learn.  This was most important to me, because if it had been otherwise, I probably would not have come back.

I also went to the Biblical Story Telling weekend at St. John's Anglican Church in October.  We were given a story in one of the workshops and asked to read it and then tell it to a partner.  This time, it was my friend I was partnered with, so I was totally comfortable.  After reading it over, I told first.  When I finished telling the story, my friend advised me that we didn't need to tell the entire story, only the first part! After that I thought to myself, I think I can do this story telling thing!

I decided for my first story, to tell one I was familiar with, hence The Birth that I told on November 21.  I typed it in large print and divided it up into sections.  As suggested, I read it several times and then learned one section at a time.  I practiced it multiple times, as again I was told when you learn your story really well, it helps with the nervousness.  Whenever I had the chance I practiced on my friends and family.  I feel that story is now in my long term memory, and hopefully I will always remember my first story.

 

I was quite nervous before I started to tell, but the nerves settled down as I continued. It was quite exciting for me to step so very far out of my comfort zone and actually stand up in front of people and tell a story. I never thought I would have the courage to do that. The positive feedback I received was most encouraging, and makes me want to learn and tell another story!  I think I am hooked!   My feeling is that if I can do it, then anyone can!!

Thank you to the seasoned story tellers that gave me such encouragement and help.  I can see that Story Telling is an exciting skill to develop.

Author: Sylvia M (A member of Peterborough Storytellers)