Storytelling

Ah .... stories.... am diving into the whole idea of telling stories. I have never felt I am a good storyteller.  I am deeply envious of those who can weave a tale.  Especially those who can weave a good compelling magical entrancing one.  It felt as if storytelling was on the other side of an invisible barrier.  Like I could draw what was in front of me, and I was a good observer.  But I could not invent and I could not tell a story.  That was for other people.  I toyed with the idea of going to storytelling worshops to try and learn.  But kind of settled into the idea that it was something other people were good at.  In the same way that I have a good visual memory.  Other people could tell stories.

When I painted on canvas for the first time ever at Beth's DWYL retreat, in Flora Bowley's  Bloom True workshop.  I was amazed at what emerged on my canvas.  It was like I was drawing images out of the ether.  I was literally surprised by what I had done.  As Flora's feller took a look at my  paintings (Flora pointed them out saying, "Look, she has never painted before") he nodded and said  to me "You are a Storyteller", like it was some kind of fact. I actually cried.  (You know, in a good way)

Moving on to now.  I may have mentioned (or I don't know, perhaps I didn't?)  well, anyway....

I have to lead a workshop, kind of give a presentation to people, groups of people..... you know - PUBLIC SPEAKING - and I hit a road block of fear.  Proper irrational fear.  Well, I have been working out how to get around this.  My husband, who is a brilliant public speaker and presentation giver, holds no fear in this realm - he  told me you have to learn to tell stories.  that's all it is, he says. Yeah, right.  EASY for him to say.

"BUT I CAN'T" is my response.  Its my truth.  Its not what I am good at.  Hmm great self chat there, right?

My husband tells brilliant made up stories to our son everyday.  He enjoys it, he's fantastic at it. He weaves every day things and current excitments into it, they roll forward, they have a plot, they have narrative for godsssake!!

I cant do made up stories, I say, your Daddy does that.  And I  read a book instead.  Or I cheat and tell a fairy tale I know really well. (Bub is convinced I made up the story of the Firebird)

SO, today.  In the spirit of taking it on.  Today,  because I have to learn to tell stories, because I have to learn how to speak to a group of people without going blank or forgetting what I am saying, or losing my train of thought (my fears!!) I decided to start telling our son made up stories.

And tonight, my friends, I did it.  It was a random story -  I just began with "ONCE UPON A TIME"  and a talking leopard called Lenny left the jungle and flew over Africa, the Sahara, the sea, to Gatwick with a Pilot he met, and came to Brighton on the train, discovered pasta was delicious and made friends with my son and decided to stay....

It worked!  I did it.  SO.  perhaps finally..... finally....  I am getting the stories out there.  STORYTELLER.  Oh that is something I dream of being. The impossible dream. To be able to weave tales.  sigh.

(inspired to write this by this post by 101 bird tales Amelia Crichtlow)