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 Submitted by Pam Hurd
"We all know what it's like when the phone rings at 2:00 a.m.".
Versus
"Throwing the covers that were keeping me warm and secure on that chilly morning, I raced toward the incessant noise that was screaming down that seemingly endless hallway"'.
This is just an example of what Laurie Kollasch presented at the workshop. Learning how to "Emotionally Connect with Our Audience" could mean the difference between a good story and a great story! We all know how nerve-wracking it is walking into a classroom for the first time. We hope we do a good job and that the audience will accept and like us. The following is some of the material that Laurie covered to assist us in becoming more effective storytellers.
Story Categories
1. The "HAHA" story. We want the audience to be able to trust us. The best way to do this is to tell a story that is humorous, such as a Noodlehead story. This method allows the body to relax and therefore, accept the one telling the story, building trust.
2. The "AHA" story. Once the trust has been established, move on to a story that allows the mind to work, such as a trickster story. There are so many lessons to be learned from stories such as these, as well as learning about the origins of these stories and how those who first heard them reacted.
3. The "AHHH" story. Now that the audience accepts the aforementioned concepts, it is time to move on to stories that relate to us on a human level. These stories touch the heart, allowing the audience to feel emotions, and accept the fact that experiencing such emotions is okay.
4. The "AMEN" story. The previous stories lead up to stories that touch the spirit. These are usually short, but have a meaningful impact on us. They ground us, helping us make sense of the world around us.
Laurie states that Elizabeth Ellis (Jack and the Haunted House in Ready to Tell Tales) likes to embrace all four of the above aspects, in order, in her storytelling if possible. It's actually taking the audience on a journey, instilling confidence that they will return safe. One tip of importance is that if you find that the story you are telling is not working, finish the story and jump back to the previous category. Telling a story from the category that previously worked will allow you to bring the audience back.
Opening Lines
Like the opening of this article, we all sit up a pay attention a little more when a storyteller has some good bait! If you're going to catch 'em, you gotta interest 'em! Here are some examples from Laurie.
1. "It's a good thing I stayed with the group!"
2. "Well, he only dug a grave once!"
3. "If it were me, I would've run out the back door screaming and would've never looked back!"
Putting some thought into that opening line could really grab your audience.
Story Information
Sometimes we like to "set the stage" for our audience, giving them information prior to telling the story, thinking that they will be able to get a better grasp on the story.
Laurie suggests that instead, storytellers should incorporate this information throughout the story. It makes for a much better experience for the listener as well as the teller. Using descriptive phrases that creates an image, causes the listener to feel like they are actually a part of the story. Think of some of the stories you have read. Which ones are more memorable? In writing as well as telling, it is important to remember to "show", rather than "tell".
Thank you, Laurie, for sharing this information! This would certainly help make us better storytellers. To this I say "AMEN"!
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I reviewed the new online statistics sheets that will streamline a number of chapter tasks!
Submitted by Valerie Thompson 
