Standing Up For Your Stories by Jim Breslin
What type of writer are you? Fiction or non-fiction?
Maybe you identify with a certain genre - steam punk, literary, romance, memoir or thrillers. I tend to read literary fiction, particularly short stories. Sometimes I struggle to break out of my favorite genre and read something totally off the charts. I joined our local library book club to expand my reading and learn from those who are not writers. I won’t say I love every book in every genre, but the practice has been definitely worthwhile when I return to my writing table.
I've been thinking about the idea of cross-training for writers. Like dedicated athletes, I’ve been thinking writers should have ways to flex different muscles, take new risks, attempt new challenges that will help make their core strength stronger.
[caption id="attachment_13392" align="alignright" width="300"]
Mikey Gleason tells a story at West Chester Story Slam[/caption]
In November of 2009, I invited friends into my living room to tell stories. We were inspired by some of the urban story slams such as The Moth, First Person Arts, and the Windy City Story Slam. We had thirteen storytellers the first night and we had a blast. Shortly after, we launched West Chester Story Slam in a local pub. Slowly but surely, the audience grew to the point where we had to find a new bigger venue. We're now holding the third season of the West Chester Story Slam at Victory Brewing Company, with approximately 80-100 people in attendance each month.
Not all our storytellers are writers, but we have become a way for several local writers to cross-train. In our slam, the rules state that stories should be true as you remember it and should be focused on the theme of the night. Creative non-fiction. That being said, our storytellers have to construct an interesting story - a beginning, middle and an end. They need to think through the plot and the theme they want to get across and, here’s the frightening part, they have to tell it live on stage with no notes!
For the number of writers who do stand up and tell their stories, we have many other local writers who have not taken to the stage. The truth is many writers are truly introverts - which is probably why we like to lock ourselves in a room and write! This is an interesting dilemma in this day and age. We hear agents and publishers are looking for talented authors who are also outgoing and able to present their work. Writers who can network and plan their own book readings and events. I'm not suggesting this aspect is more important than being a strong creative writer, but it appears to be a secondary strength that’s valued in this new publishing era.
Telling stories on stage is just one way to cross-train. Preparing a story to be told without notes, but with passion, strengthens different parts of the brain. I have this strange dream that some day, there will be a series of story slams throughout the country. After their books are published, authors will take to the road, traveling cross country and stopping in at local story slams to tell a story and introduce themselves to established audiences.
Do you have a local story slam or storytelling event near you? Are there other cross-training opportunities that can help a writer with their craft and provide new strengths? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
Maybe you identify with a certain genre - steam punk, literary, romance, memoir or thrillers. I tend to read literary fiction, particularly short stories. Sometimes I struggle to break out of my favorite genre and read something totally off the charts. I joined our local library book club to expand my reading and learn from those who are not writers. I won’t say I love every book in every genre, but the practice has been definitely worthwhile when I return to my writing table.
I've been thinking about the idea of cross-training for writers. Like dedicated athletes, I’ve been thinking writers should have ways to flex different muscles, take new risks, attempt new challenges that will help make their core strength stronger.
[caption id="attachment_13392" align="alignright" width="300"]
Mikey Gleason tells a story at West Chester Story Slam[/caption]In November of 2009, I invited friends into my living room to tell stories. We were inspired by some of the urban story slams such as The Moth, First Person Arts, and the Windy City Story Slam. We had thirteen storytellers the first night and we had a blast. Shortly after, we launched West Chester Story Slam in a local pub. Slowly but surely, the audience grew to the point where we had to find a new bigger venue. We're now holding the third season of the West Chester Story Slam at Victory Brewing Company, with approximately 80-100 people in attendance each month.
Not all our storytellers are writers, but we have become a way for several local writers to cross-train. In our slam, the rules state that stories should be true as you remember it and should be focused on the theme of the night. Creative non-fiction. That being said, our storytellers have to construct an interesting story - a beginning, middle and an end. They need to think through the plot and the theme they want to get across and, here’s the frightening part, they have to tell it live on stage with no notes!
For the number of writers who do stand up and tell their stories, we have many other local writers who have not taken to the stage. The truth is many writers are truly introverts - which is probably why we like to lock ourselves in a room and write! This is an interesting dilemma in this day and age. We hear agents and publishers are looking for talented authors who are also outgoing and able to present their work. Writers who can network and plan their own book readings and events. I'm not suggesting this aspect is more important than being a strong creative writer, but it appears to be a secondary strength that’s valued in this new publishing era.Telling stories on stage is just one way to cross-train. Preparing a story to be told without notes, but with passion, strengthens different parts of the brain. I have this strange dream that some day, there will be a series of story slams throughout the country. After their books are published, authors will take to the road, traveling cross country and stopping in at local story slams to tell a story and introduce themselves to established audiences.
Do you have a local story slam or storytelling event near you? Are there other cross-training opportunities that can help a writer with their craft and provide new strengths? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
