Storytelling workshop notes

Confirmation of my theories about substance versus style in the use of story.

We all told a story today.  Could be about anything – for any reason.

Everyone choose to tell a personal story – some sad, some hilarious, some enlightening.

They were all great.  I loved and will remember them all.

Why?

Because of the content – not because of what the teller did with her hands, or the eye contact she made, or the pauses she took.

Because the teller owned the story – and infused it with meaning and emotion.

Given limited resources (time, money, etc), you will always get more bang by investing in developing strong content, not spectacle.

Other notes:

Consider the use of quilting as storytelling.  Very cool, very tactile and visual.

Think about what the story gives the learner as a take-away.

It is time to form a community of practice specific to storytelling and learning.  I’d like to borrow Sarah’s  phrase for it – and for this blog – and call it – The Ripple Effect