Storytelling with a twist

Near the beginning of an eight-hour drive my granddaughter asked me to tell her a story. I obliged and began to invent a suitable tale of adventure. When I was stuck or couldn't make up my mind how to resolve the hero's latest dilemma, I would pause and tell my granddaughter I needed a rest. She would plead until I picked up the threads and continued. At one point we paused to eat, yet the minute we were back in the car, she begged to hear more of the adventure.

Soon I became as anxious as she to hear what would happen next. I kept my fingers crossed that my creative imagination would support me. At the end of our journey I had almost lost my voice -- but certainly not the attention of my granddaughter. I have since forgotten a good deal of the story but having a nine-year-old captivated by my yarn for eight hours is a memory that will be with me always.

Story telling is like a gift to yourself and the listener. It will never lose its magic as long as there are willing storytellers. With the right attitude, the time spent together can be as relaxing as meditation. Twenty minutes at bedtime or two hours cuddled together in a special hideaway in the house with rain pelting the windows is the stuff that memories are made of.

That said, there are numerous pointers that can aid the novice storyteller. I'd like to offer a few.

You may not see yourself as a storyteller so try starting with story books containing old favourites from your own childhood, or check out your local library and ask for suggestions from the librarian. Most children are fascinated to hear about your childhood adventures.

I remember when I was 11 years old and I decided to run away because I was angry with my 17-year-old brother. The interesting thing about that story is that I decided to take four of my younger siblings with me. Even my nieces want to hear this story!

Our children see us in a different light when we share parts of our own youth with them. They are often mesmerized to hear about life back in grandma's time.

From the moment you begin telling or reading your story you have advantages over the movies. You offer human touch, interaction, participation and imagination. So many directors of films today seem to feel we are lacking in imagination, therefore we must be shown. Not so. Our imagination is limitless and very specific to each individual. As a storyteller you already have a jump on the slickly packaged television shows -- let's look at some methods for improving your skills.