An Overall View of the Art and Craft of Oral Storytelling.
There is currently on television a show called 'The X Factor' in which a panel of judges determine who, among the participants vying for selection, are chosen for stardom.
It is said here that only a few of the many hundreds of people who come forward will have the 'X Factor,' and only the best of these will win the ultimate prize.
This is also the case with Storytelling.
It certainly the case with the Master Storyteller.
In the X Factor it is invariably those who have put in thousands of hours of practice who make it to the 'Finals.
' They've probably been practicing for years.
They are dedicated.
In Storytelling it is inevitably those who have put in thousands of hours who become outstanding in their field.
A Master Storyteller is not born.
He or she is made - self made.
What sorts of people generally become good storytellers? Now I need to qualify what has been said here.
There are certain types of people who are more likely to become good Storytellers than others.
Firstly, they will in all probability have led fairly interesting lives.
That is, their interpretation of their own lives will be regarded by themselves as being interesting, even adventurous.
They will have within them a sense of drama.
They will have the capacity to feel more than the average.
They will likely have sensitivity, and also an empathy with others.
Moreover, they will certainly have vivid imaginations.
This is not saying that those who do not have these attributes will not be able to tell stories; even tell them well.
But the Master Storyteller has gone a step beyond just being able to tell stories well.
He or she is able to live them in their mind's eye.
How can this be achieved? The Art and Craft of Oral Storytelling - Fostering the passion Firstly by encouraging one's passion to tell stories.
We need to embrace this.
We need to feed it.
The intent has to be there and it has to be strong.
From this will follow the necessary motivation to take the steps which will move us towards mastery.
The creative ideas, the methodology, the techniques, spring from an ongoing all pervasive intent to tell others how we feel about the world through story.
It is our passion for life.
Good writers have this.
So, too, do good oral storytellers.
When storytelling has become almost an obsession you are on the right path to becoming a Master Storyteller.
If you would like to learn more about the art and craft of oral storytelling then read Part Two of this essay.
Yes, I have written quite a bit on the subject including a book: The Raconteur - Speaking to Entertain.