Many of us our authors and we can write a good story, but how many of us can tell a good story? How many of us can get up and verbally tell a story.? For that matter how many of us have ever done any acting?
　　I believe that both of these traits are almost essential to being able to tell a story. There is something to be said for when you get in front of an audience and start out with the phrase “Once upon a time”. It captures everyone’s attention and immediately the look to you to be taken away to a different world and to be entertained.

　　But what are the keys to telling a story verbally? I believe not only are these keys to telling a verbal story but they are also the foundation of a written story.

　　Once upon a time – The magical phrase. It captures people’s attention and transports them to a new world. Your audience recognizes this as the beginning of a story. It sets the tone that you are going to tell a story.

　　Main character – You tell your audience who they need to care about, who the story is going to revolve around. In acting you act out your character, you become that person and you can do the same when telling a story.

　　Acting out – In telling a story, you don’t have to be a reporter and just dish out the details, you can actually act out the parts to add more realism and action to the story. This makes for a more well rounded story. It will also bring your audience further into the story.

　　Setting – In most verbal stories, the setting is not complex. It is just enough to give a feel to the place. Verbal story telling allows the imagination take over. If done well, people may have slightly varying descriptions of what they heard but, that is the beauty of storytelling.

　　Description – The more description you have in your story the better. It allows your audience to put themselves into the scene and feel that they are there. The description is not long and drawn out. Instead, it like the setting, is simple and concise. Description uses simple words. It uses, LARGE, BIG, BOOMING words. Words that will capture the attention of those listening.

　　Actions – Your actions as you are telling a story can draw the audience in. Sweeping hand motions. Stomping across your stage. Shouting or whispering. All of the actions you make can add to the story you are telling and helps to bring it to life and capture the attention of your audience.

　　Anyway you look at it, storytelling is beneficial to the author who only writes stories but, it is a true art form in its own right. It is an art form that a lot of people no longer take advantage of. All it takes is some imagination and some practice. Go tell a story.

How do you tell a story?