No storyteller has ever been able to dream up anything as fantastically unlikely as what really does happen in this mad Universe. (Robert Heinlein)
1. A storyteller knows the stories that make the most impact are the ones that come from the heart.
2. A storyseller thinks that you have to bedazzle folks with little bits of exaggeration and insipid calls to action based on fear and anxiety.
3. A storyteller is adept at knowing their audience and keeping them engaged.
4. A storyseller is always at the back of the room contemplating how stupid everyone else’s stories are compared to his/her big story.
5. A storyteller encourages people to move the story forward and relate it to others in their own way without trying to control the messaging.
6. A storyseller is constantly afraid his/her story will not be passed along with the correct “brand” respect so they spend most of their time correcting people’s impression of the story.
7. A storyteller is thrilled beyond belief if the story goes viral and doesn’t immediately need to equate it with how many click thru’s or sales leads the story will create.
8. A storyseller wants you to fill out online registration forms to get the good stories, and loves to use scarcity as a fear tactic for pushing you to listen.
9. A storyteller believes in the power of magic, abundance and the Web to push the story in the direction it can be most appreciated.
10. A storyseller is the guy at the hula party that never takes off his tie.
11. A storyteller is the person who cares nothing about superficial impressions but rather how a story can empower one’s life in a positive way.
12. A storyseller thinks “commercials.”
13. A storyteller thinks “movies.’
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Thanks so much for this fabulous post, Nettie! I love it. I have had just about enough of being surrounded by “storysellers” in my world and my field – it seems there’s been a recent onslaught of inauthentic babblers intended purely to lure and make money, but in the end, offering no spice, content, or benefit. I just found an inspiring blog written by Dr. Brene Brown (http://www.ordinarycourage.com) about the vital need for authenticity and connection in our world, and the need to release our shame around our humanness and flaws. For me, that translates to telling our authentic stories with truth and courage. Amen to that!! Thanks for your great work – so helpful.
Nettie,
Great points and reminders about the importance of telling authentic stories, rather than always controlled.
Casey
Nettie, this is a brilliant way to get across these critical points. If the blogosphere adopted this, it would be a more credible and inspirational place.
I totally agree with the other comments especially Pamela whom I follow..it’s difficult to be worthy of belief and you come accross the credibility gap all over the blogosphere.
Yet Donald Maass reminds us that it is not a “Best-Writing Author” it’s a “Best Selling Author”. If you want to keep getting published (outside of your own domain I suppose) you have to keep writing so that your work sells, not necessarily so that it is something people want to read.
Which might explain why I avoid any book that has a bold label proclaiming it’s a best seller…
Hi Kathy,
What a great comment. Thank you so much and I feel incredibly blessed and lucky to write what I do and help people understand how amazing this Web 2.0 can be.
I also really appreciate you took time to comment and got something of value from the post.
Nettie