What Makes a Storyteller

I will admit that I am often that person who tells a story that garners absolutely no reaction. It’s frustrating, and usually embarrassing, especially when the story is about something that means a lot to me. So why is it that our stories fall flat, whether they’re oral or written down? What makes a good story, and what makes a good storyteller?

Structure

Often a problem with a story, especially oral stories, is a problem with its structure. We all have that friend (it’s me) who is constantly going back to rephrase what they’ve said and provide extra information. It might make sense to them, but no one else has a clue what’s going on. The same can be said for written stories. Yes, you can have flashbacks, and your story doesn’t need to be in chronological order, but it needs to be clear what you’re doing and where we are in time.

Content

The content of a story is arguably the least important part. That said, it still must be present. Stories are about something, not nothing. And when your story is about something that matters, that is interesting or weird or heartbreaking or horrifying, that’s when it starts to mean something.

Passion

I am a big proponent of passion. I believe people perform their best when they are writing or speaking about something they are passionate about. This is because passion shines through. But while passion is important, it can’t be the only thing carrying your story. That will result in an awkward silence and a quick change of subject, and you’ll be left wondering why your story didn’t translate. On the other hand, a story without passion is dry, and often prompts questions like “Why are you telling us this?” Passion is vital for storytelling.

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