Storytelling
In this week's creative writing lecture, Savannah Childs breaks down the definition of a storyteller for a writer.
1. Storytelling is interactive because it is two-way.
For a story to be told there will always be a teller and a listener, a writer and a reader.
And that listener’s response will influence the telling of a story.
At first, as a writer, you may not realize this. When you pen your story, your experience is an isolated experience. You have no idea if you actually have a pearl in front of you. But you hope! So you invest in your story. You give time, dedication, and courage. And eventually you share your story!
As a reader, you generally seek a quiet and somewhat isolated environment to enjoy a story. You seek a place to concentrate, to be alone, to forget about the distractions and demands of your present world. You seek a time to go into “your own world.”
But when we read are we truly alone?
Storytelling emerged from the interaction, the cooperation, and coordinated efforts of teller and audience.
So when a reader reads, a magical moment occurs in time. A reader is there relating to the writer.
This invitation exists especially with literary texts. Because while you read, you have a chance to enjoy a relationship, a connection, an exchange; because you, as the reader, are bringing your own interpretive ideas to the author’s words.
And here is the beauty found in these combining isolated moments: Readers enrich the meanings of text through personal experience, but authors make deliberate choices to help guide those readers’ interpretations. Talk about collaboration!
2. Storytelling uses words.
Words will help shape a reader’s interpretations. So a talented writer will make deliberate choices in the use of words.
This means a gifted reader will pay careful attention to what the author actually says about life and how those thoughts are expressed. Whereas, a skilled author will seek words that elicit certain reactions within the reader, often without the reader even being aware of what’s happening.
What a fun, enjoyable dance between a gifted reader and a skilled author.
3. Storytelling presents a story.
Yet to perform the dance well, the author must never lose sight of why the reader first picked up the book. The reader expects a story!
So a word of caution, found again in Robert McKee’s book, Story:
When talented people write badly it’s generally for one of two reasons: Either they’re blinded by an idea they feel compelled to prove or they’re driven by an emotion they must express. When talented people write well, it is generally for this reason: They’re moved by a desire to touch the audience.
Remember storytelling always involves the presentation of a story—a narrative. As a writer, you share that story through the medium of words. So be sure to use your words wisely!
4. Storytelling encourages the active imagination of its audience.
As already stated, a story is interactive. This means that through the art of storytelling, the listener, or reader, will imagine the story.
That means that through the words shared by the author, the reader has an active role of creating vivid, multi-sensory images, actions, characters, and events. So the reality of that story takes shape in the reader’s mind. The author certainly starts the story, but the story further forms through the reader’s own past experiences, beliefs, and understandings. Therefore, the completed story happens in the mind of the reader. This is a unique and personalized experience. And it’s through this beautiful magic, that the reader becomes a co-creator with the story.
No wonder we enjoy stories!
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