Some Personal Notes About my Journey into Storytelling

In retrospect it seems that I have always been a storyteller, inside, that is, but early events in my life made me very shy, timid to speak up.  I recall times when, sitting with a group of people and the talk going around, and me thinking up points to add to conversation, stories to tell to illustrate a point, and never being able to get into the flow. I recalled being told at school "not to interrupt". After a while I didn't even look for an opening and just sat there dumb, so much so that I got a reputation as not being very good company or, worse, of being snobby and stuck up!!!

I got to the point where I could hardly stand up and give my name in public

I tried joining a local storytellers' group in Toronto, a place where each person who wants to tell a story is welcome to stand up and speak, guaranteed not to be interrupted.  This worked for a while and I eventually got up the courage to 'tell', but afterwards I felt so embarrassed that the old shyness returned.

That shyness changed dramatically years later when I was invited to a

Storytellers' Gathering. 

I had made up my mind that I should confront my fears, being able to tell stories was very important to me. We met at in a century old barn in rural Ontario.  The gathering consisted of storytellers, musicians, and singers; our hostess a well known and well versed Storyteller with countrywide connections and a plethora of stories, old and new, folk and legend.  You name a subject, any subject, and she's got a story to tell.  I was nervous, so much talent around me.   So much so that I feared that, after listening other participants,  I could very well back out again and despise myself as a coward.  So, as soon as the call went out, "Who's got a story to tell?"

I immediately jumped up, holding up my hand, "I should like to start, if that's OK!"

Phew! I actually told a story in front of all these people who were gracious enough to  applaud  my effort.  Among the constructive comments I received that day was a piece of advice that acted like a spark on my consciousness.  I had introduced myself as a 'Wannabee storyteller' (possibly to protect my sensitivity)and

the advice I received from a seasoned storyteller was,

"Don't call yourself a 'Wannabee! YOU ARE a Storyteller!"

Since that day I have grown, and continue to grow, in  confidence.   It is very gratifying, in my middle years, to actually to be able, and brave enough, to follow a path I always knew was mine.

I continue to tell stories at the least provocation and opportunity and I am now launching into Public Speaking and am an active member of my local branch of Toastmasters International, with a group of wonderfully supportive people.   

Upcoming Posts

Talking Stick and other storyteller items