I’m a huge fan of storytelling. My mother used to read stories to the children at my elementary school, my parents read nightly to me growing up, and I read to my own children.
Reading aloud from books helps them come alive. But I also enjoy oral storytelling (Isn’t all storytelling oral? I never understood that…) Beowulf is a favorite of mine (recorded after many years of being told by firelight), the Grimm Brothers wrote down stories that had been handed down through generations, and folk tales like Paul Bunyan had their genesis with families telling stories.
My singing is wretched, but I always sing to my daughter (and did for my son when he was younger). Their favorites are old American folk songs like “Oh, Susanna,” “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad,” and “She’ll be Coming Round the Mountain.” They also loved hearing nursery rhymes set to music.
Alice in Wonderland was penned after Lewis Carroll had been telling his young friend Alice story after story about her made- up adventures in a magical place.
My children love for me to tell stories without using a book. Sometimes they like to hear my renditions of fairy tales like “Jack and the Beanstalk,” but frequently they’re happy to hear stories about the day they were born, or funny stories from when they were toddlers.
It’s amazing how fast the story comes when there’s someone asking “What happens next?”
Wednesday, I’ll start writing my second book for the Memphis Barbeque Series (due April 1.) Right now I don’t even have a concept for the book.
One thing I do know is that I’ll be muttering aloud to myself. My cats and dog will stare oddly at me, but no humans are at home during the day on Wednesday. It’s the perfect time to work out a primitive story outline and see if I have a good enough concept for someone to wonder “What happens next?”
Reading aloud helps me with my revision process, too. I find so many errors that I’d otherwise never have noticed.
With any luck, by the time my kids get off the school bus, I’ll have a foundation to work with. After all, my mysteries are basically, “Once upon a time, someone was murdered….”
Does anyone else talk to themselves when they’re plotting? Or am I the only nutty one out there? :)
As a professional storyteller, telling both original and traditional tales, I enjoyed your writing out how you use oral storytelling with you childrena and with your writing. Your children are so fortunate to have a storytelling mom. I will never forget the second grader who told me after I finished a program – “I would like to hear your stories 1000 more times.” Storytelling is the compplement to reading. Children are hungry for stories. And in these days of budget cuts – there are fewer opportunities to hear well-told stories.
I grew up in a household where reading to kids and telling stories was the norm. I can remember my little brother making up tales, most of which included the line, “‘Aha,'” said the dragon.”
I did the same for my kids — they used to ask for a “Ponce a time” story.
I listen to my characters. They don’t let me talk back. But brainstorm partners are invaluable. They don’t argue; they just suggest.
My father used to tell me bedtime stories about a little mouse that supposively lived in our garage. I even had a figurine (ironically, it was a hedgehog, but I don’t think I knew the difference) that I named after this mouse, and that I used to make listen to the stories with me…
I still really like storytelling. There are very few things I like better than to make my grandparents tell stories from “the old times” (naurally, they like it too).
And of course I agree – the link between storytelling (orally) and writing fiction is a very strong one. I suppose that largely explains why I’ve always loved storytelling.
I think I want to hear an ‘Aha, said the dragon-story’ (that made me laugh)
Yeah, I mutter. I read lines aloud to myself. I capture random strangers and force them to read it.
Storytelling, verbal or written, is an ancient art–it’s exciting to be a part of it.
No, Elizabeth, you most certainly are not the only nutty one out here. I can’t believe you’re submitting your manuscript tomorrow and already thinking about the next one. Do you ever take a break?
karen
I have always told stories. When I was growing up I would entertain my younger sister with made-up stories or we would have our dolls act them out. My love of reading has been inherited by some of my kids but all enjoy great imaginations.
When I’m first figuring out a plot I’m a walker (around the house) and a mutterer. I not only mutter the plot I also throw in editorial comment as in “That doesn’t make sense. Could you BE more stupid?” or “That’s trite. Try again”.
On a related note, two of my most popular mystery games involve classic literary characters. I think it’s because everyone knows the characters and it’s fun to see their stories from a slightly different perspective.
May your muttering be magnificent!
Elspeth
Hi, Elizabeth!
I used to “mutter” when I was in school, it was how I studied. I haven’t tried it with plotting. Maybe I should! I’m a little stuck at the moment. Maybe that will help! Thanks for the idea!
I read an entire manuscript this summer outloud and it was the best move I ever made. I almost lost my voice, but it was so worth it.
Muttering, gesticulating wildly, actually acting out parts of the plot: I do it all! You’re not crazy…not at all! At least, if you are, I’m in good company. I have to get inside my characters’ heads in order to figure out what and why the are doing what they are doing. Plus, I love acting so a little impromptu drama is enjoyed every now and then :)
Jen
Ellouise–Thanks so much for stopping by. You storytellers are appreciated! I love taking my children to the library or festivals when there are professional storytellers–they’re always entranced.
I think storytelling is also excellent practice for writers–they get a true sense for the cadence of a story and pacing. After all, if you’re telling a story aloud, you have to keep it interesting or you’ll lose your audience.
Elizabeth
When my kids were younger, I read to them. I also sang, although not terribly well, I have to admit. Both my kids are avid readers. My son keeps having to buy bookshelves and he has a great memory for things he’s read long ago. While I don’t remember my mother reading to me, we did have books in the house. I was the third of four girls, and books got handed down.
Helen
Straight From Hel
No, I don´t mutter when I plot. I often jut down ideas on squared paper, though.
Did you know Astrid Lindgren made up the first Pippi Longstocking story once her little daughter was ill? The daughter was bored and wanted a story. How fortunate.
My editor was the first one to recommend reading my book out loud in order to find more mistakes, and it did indeed work (though I did try to read the whole thing to myself in one day and consequently lost my voice). I don’t think I’ve tried it while in the middle of a manuscript. Perhaps that would help when I’m stuck. Thanks for the idea.
Btw, thanks for the compliment on my blog’s style. You know, the “nothing theme” is a style all in its own. ;) But I design blogs on the side, so I figured mine better be a good example. I perhaps went a bit above and beyond decorative with my contest blog but it seemed like a good opportunity to do so. :)
Have a great day.
I do find myself talking out loud at times as I write, mostly when I’m working on dialogue. It helps me to hear it to decide if it sounds stilted or like a normal conversation.
I can tell from my grandson, who will be 3 in a couple of months, that reading, singing and story telling not only entertains him but stimulates his imagination so that he has already begun to make up his own short little stories and loves change the words to songs.
I’m always stunned when I meet people who say they don’t read books – my first thought is, ‘how sad.’
Good luck on Wednesday coming up with a concept for a new book. I have a feeling you won’t have any trouble.
Elizabeth, I also am a firm believer in reading aloud during the self-editing phase of writing, but I don’t talk to myself out loud while planning.
I do, however, talk to TV anchors and internet bloggers, often saying things like, “That’s a pile of nonsense,” or “Do you really believe that?” Please note that my remarks have been cleaned up for your nice audience.
Sounds great! I also am a big fan of story telling.
Marvin D Wilson
Of course it’s natural to read something out loud, even if it’s just to yourself! Sometimes that’s the best way to find mistakes. I do it all the time.
I’m constantly story telling to my daughter. At 16 months she doesn’t have the attention span to last a whole book, so I end up making up a story to go with the pictures.
No, I don’t think I talk to myself, while plotting. But, Donna chatters to herself—and me, even though I don’t know it—constantly. The problem is, I have to be careful about when the chatter is, “Just to myself,” or when it’s, “Galen, did you hear me?” They kind of blend seemless in and out, so, I gotta be on my toes.
Best Regards, Galen
Imagineering Fiction Blog
Awesome post that made me feel all warm and gushy inside as I read stories to my kids and I remember my parents and grandparents reading stories to me when I was a child.
I posted a link on twitter for this blog. Hopefully it will bring additional traffic. Again, great blog and the comments add much to the dialogue.
Stephen tremp
http://www.stephentremp.blogspot.com/
Terry–I love it! “Aha,” said the dragon. And you still remember that…
Helen–Isn’t it a relief when our kids like to read? It makes me feel like everything will be okay as long as they’re strong readers.
Cruella–I have to wonder if most writers heard stories growing up. It helped us put visions in our heads when we listened to the stories. Later on, the pictures became our stories.
Jack–Well put.
Karen–I wouldn’t be, probably, except for the deadline. And I’ve got the next book for the other series to spiff up, too. I should be happy about this…why do I feel stressed?! :)
Jane–It’s true..you can almost see them grow each time they hear a story. All the little neurons clicking.
Elspeth–I love the idea of adding in editorial comments. More fun than going “hmm” which is my usual utterance at the first sign of a problem. I used to tell stories to my little sister, too!
Kristen–I bet you did go hoarse–that’s a lot of reading.
Jen–I haven’t thought about dramatizing the plotting….good idea.
Marvin–Thanks!
Dorte–I love Pippi! No, I didn’t realize it had its origins as an oral story. That’s wonderful.
Christina–Me too. It’s amazing the mistakes I find. The plotting aloud? Well, maybe that’s a little off-kilter. But it does help me out.
Carolyn–That’s wonderful! You’re creating your own abridged version. And having together time, too.
Emily Ann–Yes, it’s funny…Blogger calls it “minimal” I think. They’re masters of understatement! Hope the technique helps you if you’re stuck.
Galen–I think that’s the way the kids behave around me. I must sound like the droning adult from Charlie Brown most of the time.
Stephen–Thanks so much! And thanks for coming by.
Patricia–I talk to the TV too. :) Maybe I’m losing it…
Talking to oneself is not nutty. It’s normal. (At least it is for me!)
Actually, I’ve done research on the topic and, in a nutshell, talking to oneself is quite often the sign of a person who learns and communicates in a primarily auditory fashion. We all learn/communicate via visual, auditory, and kinesthetic (hands-on) means. We each have a preferred method, as well. Mine is auditory and yours might be too.
Visual learners love PowerPoint presentations and movies and pictures; auditory learners love to listen to people talk or hear music; kinesthetic learners have to do it themselves.
Some writers need to print out in hardcopy when they edit; some of us read it out loud.
So, I don’t think you’re nutty. (Then again, maybe I am too!)
I came from ElloiseStory. I’ve wanted to write a mystery since I first read Nancy Drew fifty years ago. It sounds like a killer project!
Terry! I love the “Ponce a Wanna Time” stories (and young voices that re-name things, lol)! I love storytelling in all its glorious splendor – children’s minds are fertile playgrounds for storytelling and that is precisely the time for nurturing it and developing that imagination, as well as their love for stories – reading and writing them.
Nancy, from Realms of Thought…
Linda–It makes more sense now. Yes, I was the kid who could just sit in college lectures and absorb things. Give me a graph and I’m confused.
Nancy–Aren’t children remarkable? They’re naturally so much more creative than adults.
Travelin’ Oma–Nancy Drew first got me interested in mysteries. And you’re right…a killer project indeed! :)
I talk to myself all the time when I am plotting/ writing. Perhaps that is the reason most of my story moves through dialogue, because the people just take over, and make me speak them lines out.
If you are nutty, I am nuttier.
Rayna–I’m so glad someone else mutters too! The characters speak to me, too…no wonder everyone thinks writers are nutty.
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