by Flora Joy, florajoy@comcast.net Every professional storyteller once asked this same question. Even if you are considering becoming a “just-for-fun” storyteller, you are likely filled with some anxieties, apprehensions, and lots of questions about the process. “How do I begin?” “Will folks laugh at me?” “How do I book my first gig?” “When do I…
By Kevin Cordi Ten Ways Storytellers Can Help Each Other Create a legacy for tomorrow. People are hungry for stories. It is part of our very being. Storytelling is a form of history, of immortality too. It goes from one generation to another. ——Studs Terkel How Do Storytellers Help Novice Storytellers Learn the Craft?…
By Kevin Cordi Book Review: Trail Guide for a Crooked Heart: Stories and Reflections for Life’s Journey A student follows a wise philosopher for years. He wants to know all that he knows. He wants to understand how this philosopher is able to assemble complete strangers together. He desires to know how he can help…
By Kevin Cordi What does ownership mean? Does it mean to truly relinquish responsibility? As an adult it is important to remember that allowing a child to “own” their work is not forgetting the importance of coaching or directing the work. Instead, it is a way to collectively work together with the child to achieve…
By Kevin Cordi Let the play resume Have you considered how valuable play is in working with stories? After doing a workshop in Maryland on play and stories, they wanted to continue the good work they started. I wrote these steps so they could consider their work. I share these with you. The best work…
By Patricia Coffie What does membership provide? Payback on what you invest. When members cease to invest time and talent as well as money, organizations die. I am currently a member of a family group, two historical societies, a storytellers’ guild, a regional storytelling organization (five states and the others too), a national storytelling organization,…