Storytelling: Writing With Passion

The universe is made of stories, not atoms.
-Muriel Rukeyser

Ruth Ann Nordin, writing at SPAL, posted Be A Storyteller First, sparking my interest and speaking to my inner muse.

If you've read my small blurb to the right, you'll see that I consider myself a storyteller.  Oh, I bandy about the word author, toss in the term writer, but strip it all down to the basics and I find myself enamored by the word storyteller.

As far back as history goes, storytelling gathered family and friend round the fire, ignited the imaginations of children, explained the mysteries of life.  The men and women who honed their craft, weaving stories of deceit and danger, folly and vanity, love and loss, captivated their audiences, taught lessons.  Some stories were handed down, generation after generation, and remain with us to this day, thousands of years later. 

I've loved tales since I was quite young.  "Tell me a story," I'd plead, expectantly waiting for my grandfather to comply, which he often did.  Oh, he read me fairy tales, Bible stories of long ago ancestors, but he also told stories of his life.  I drank these in with unquenchable thirst.  My grandmothers did this as well.  Their life stories enthralled me.  Tales of the depression, of young girls frolicking about the farm, of meagre meals, of dropping out of school to enter the hell fires of a steel mill - these fascinated me.  Still do.  My grandparents are sadly, long passed from this world, but I gather my stories even today, befriending my elderly neighbors, sharing experiences with girlfriends who have grown up in different areas, experienced foreign cultures.  It satisfies and feeds the soul.

Storytelling is a gift, one I hope to hone and practice for many years.  In writing stories, I hope to lure readers to experience escape, to indulge romantic notions, to go where they might else not.

Why do you tell stories? 

On The Writing Front...ROW80 Check-In

*  A Practical Arrangement is in the hands of beta readers.  Blow. Me. Down.  Now I must wait.  Oh!  The Waiting!

*  I have signed up with Book And Trailer Showcase!  I hope to feature some great books.

*  A Practical Arrangement has its own page.  Now I await my new cover.  Oh!  More Waiting!  Lol.

*  I will begin my beta read tomorrow.  What??  Reading for fun??  You-Betcha.

*  Visit five blogs per day Monday through Friday.  So far, so good. 

*  Reading for research. 

Continuing with My Life As An Indian, J.W. Schultz.  Still fascinating. 









Also reading Ride The Wind, Lucia St. Clair Robson.  This is an epic historical novel.  It is Robson's telling of the story of Cynthia Ann Parker, who was stolen by Comanche Indians after witnessing the brutal slaying of her family.  Cynthia Ann Parker, who some of you may know became the mother of one of the last war chiefs of the Plains, lived an extraordinary life.  This is her story. 




*  Write new post for Researching For Romance.  I have not accomplished this yet.  Now that my novel is in the hands of beta readers, I hope to focus on some post writing that begs my attention. 

*  Don't forget to check in with Spellbound Scribes!  The monthly topic is Villains.  Claudia LeFeve's post, When Bad Guys Turn Good is up.  With five Scribes in the mix, each week is sure to offer a new perspective.

*  I have two cookbooks sitting on my side table.  I hope to select and cook something delish in the next day or so.  My husband, who has been suffering with takeout over the last few weeks as I wrote the final touches, typed myself stupid, and traipsed all over the place, is begging for some spicy Indian food.  After such patience, I must placate - he deserves a treat. 

*  Also on the list is my Erotic Anthology outline and submission.  Perhaps next week I will be able to settle down and focus on that project. 

*  As always, Shiny-New-Idea-Syndrome has struck.  While I cannot complain, as I am never left wondering what I might write next, I do have to handle my business before I allow myself to indulge in the wonderful story I've begun conjuring.  Arrgh.  I can barely contain myself.  *all-smiles-here*

*  I exercised yesterday, my first in about three or four days.  I took a ridiculous tumble, slipping in my kitchen and crashing onto my rumpus, entertaining all present.  Phew. *Note to self*  I. Do. Not. Bend. That. Way.  Advil was my dear, dear friend.   

Have a wonderful and productive week...

 ~ Nadja