Thursday 12 April 2012

Story Telling For All

Over the Easter weekend I've seen a lot of family, with more family visits to come this weekend. I've heard about new jobs and new hamsters and the prospect of wedding bells next year. Negotiations have already started about Christmas...

I've been struck how much we all tell stories - especially on a rainy Bank Holiday Monday. The stories may not be of earth shattering significance but they are part of the glue that binds us together, those tales of the rabbits eaten by foxes, the hamster that drowned in the loo, the horse that was nearly bought. 'Do you remember the day Dad did this? Do you remember when you went there? When I was young I loved to do that.' Story telling is part of our DNA, both telling them and listening to them.

As writers we can be comforted by this. Readers want our stories, however small. All we have to do is write them with enough truth, enough detail for the reader to visualise the story world and make it their own.

And if you're ever stuck for a story to tell, try sitting in front of the page and start writing the words, 'I remember...'

4 comments:

Cara Cooper said...

Nice tip Sarah for unblocking a bit of writers' block. I shall try it next time I'm stuck!

Writer Pat Newcombe said...

Ahhhh... yes! memories make the greatest stories...

Diane Fordham said...

Hello Sarah - that's a really good idea. Thanks :-)

Philip C James said...

A really simple, neat tip, Sarah.

You are right about stories. Whether you're a writer, an interviewee or a presenter, stories are the best way to get an idea across (because they are the most memorable).

I remember [see!] a presentation at an industry seminar on EPOS and CRM [yawn...]. At least the only thing I remember is the illustrative story...

It seems that US retailer Target was using loyalty card data to phone customers at home and make them special offers on things they bought. On one occasion the father of the house picked up the phone and was offered pre-natal vitamin supplements.

And that's how he found out his 16yo daughter was pregnant.