What I Learned from Storytelling

Are you one of those people whose top fear, even over death, is public speaking? I used to think so for myself … but since high school, that has gradually changed. The prospect still stirs unpleasant butterflies in my stomach (the only butterflies I’m not fond of), but once I’m up and talking, I actually enjoy myself (for the most part, though I do feel quite relieved when I’m no longer the center of attention!). I’ve spoken mostly in a teacher-classroom setting, so being prepared is a big part of being comfortable. Perhaps what also makes me enjoy it is the fact that it’s a fear I’ve overcome with God’s help. God calls people out of their comfort zones, and I try to pursue things that will stretch me because it’s all a part of growing into a person God can use. (I wouldn’t get very far without Him!)

Storytelling has intrigued me lately. I’ve been watching a DVD lecture series from the Great Courses about storytelling, and it makes me eager to try my hand—er, voice—at it. Standing up in front of an audience and sharing a story you’ve crafted yourself is something definitely out of my comfort zone, but what did I just say about that? Besides, it does seem like fun, once the butterflies don’t flutter so hard, leaving you room to breathe. (Interestingly, performance anxiety is a good thing, because it gives you energy and focus to do your best.) The main way storytelling seems to differ from a written story and from acting is that the words are not set in stone. You’re required to be kind of spontaneous, or else you’ll sound stiff. 

Storytelling goes back deeply into history

The thought of not having set words to say was off-putting to me at first … but then I learned more about how storytelling works. It’s all about being natural and creating an atmosphere for your audience. Unless you’re an actor (which I’m decidedly not), a memorized speech just doesn’t draw in the listeners. Interacting with your audience is key. This really helped me with a teaching opportunity at a music day camp I’m volunteering at this week. I was doing lots of research on Native American tribes in Texas earlier this summer (my job was to give the kids an overview of Native American history, because the music they were learning was “Pioneer” and “Indian” themed) and I had thought I would be trying to memorize words I wrote. But my storytelling course informed me that was a bad idea. So instead I jotted incomplete notes, became very familiar with my material, and more or less winged it. I had much less time to speak than I’d anticipated, so I kept to only the most interesting facts, and I interacted with the kids via questions and props. I had more fun than I expected!

Learning storytelling techniques isn’t just for the actual art of storytelling, though I hope to try that one day. It makes you a better conversationalist, public speaker, and teacher … basically, better at talking of any kind!

Have you ever listened to a live storyteller? Have you done it yourself, or any other form of public speaking?