15 August 2012

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







Ride the Wind

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
  

21 comments:

  1. Storytelling is sometimes referred to as a lost art but I don't think it's lost. It is wound within the very nature of the art of writing. Some just happen to miss the telling of the story when it's as plain as the nose on their face. But storytelling is wonderful. It's historical and can often be hysterical.

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    1. Yes. Sometimes it's good to use only your ears as you listen.

      I read stories to my boys almost every night, and we often would go to the library when they were younger for storytime....the boys definitely had their favorite 'readers'...they liked the ones who used lots of inflection, changed their voices for different characters, and built to a crescendo.

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  2. I remember stories my great uncle used to tell. As a child, I used to enjoy listening to him while he puffed on his pipe.

    Your book is closer and closer to publication! It's always such a good feeling when it's actually done. Although, the editing process isn't always fun, the more we do this, the less we need edits. Practice makes per....er...better. LOL

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    1. I love the smell of pipe tobacco!

      Yes...I am gaining on that moment - when I'll click 'publish'. :} And it's true, the more I've written and proofed over my stories to find even one error -the easier it becomes to spot any corrections needed. Now...if I could only have perfect fingers! Lol.

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  3. I am a storyteller too. I loved how you described it... it fit me perfectly. And wow - you're doing great with those goals. I feel your pain regarding both the agony of waiting for feedback from betas and your injury (although mine was an ankle sprain months ago which still leaves me swollen after any kind of exersion - *groan*) Best of luck next week. X

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    1. Thankfully, I was not injured. A bit stiff - and a mite sore, but uninjured. Phew! Escape. I credit the months of exercise :}

      I totally feel your pain...with the waiting, that is. I am not a good waiter. Sigh.

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  4. Exciting that a Practical Arrangement is with your Beta readers!!! Not exciting about your fall though. I slipped in the snow once and bruised my coccyx a few years ago, fallign on your bum really hurts!

    Have a great week and keep up the good work!!

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    1. My hind quarter protested loudly all that afternoon and the next. :} It has since settled down. Lol....

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  5. Ooh, Indian food! Sounds yummy!
    I agree with you that storytelling is gift. I love the way new characters and scenarios come into my head. I've just got to write them down.

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    1. We are huge fans of Indian food. Their richly spiced dishes satisfy in a way I cannot describe. I began cooking Indian food some years ago - after my husband informed me (after many years of marriage...lol) that Lebanese food actually gave him indigestion. Too much lemon for his tastes. We compromiesd. I still cook Lebanese style often, but I go easy on the lemon - and I added in Indian food, which he loves!

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  6. Hope the rumpus doesn't pain you too long! As someone who has often ended up in the same position, I completely sympathize. :)

    Impressive list of goals and accomplishments! Keep up the good work and enjoy the Indian. I *love* Lebanese food myself though. *g*

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    1. Thanks for the well wishes for my rumpus! Ha! I keep plodding away. I cannot wait to read your book! A little more work- and then a few weeks of pure reading enjoyment! I have three titles waiting for me...calling my name. If you were close - I'd send you some Lebanses fare! :}

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  7. You're doing great on your goals! So much accomplished!

    "Shiny-New-Idea-Syndrome has struck" << oh, that's the damnation of my life. Those attack when I'm revising especially, and I HATE revising so it takes a lot of control not to surrender to those shiny new ideas lol

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    1. Oh...that 'Shiny-New-Idea-Syndrome' threatens my good intentions, too! I have to tamp it down in favor of the work before me. But it gives me something to anticipate. :}

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  8. Oh, I'm sorry to hear about your fall. Maybe hubby will kiss it and make it feel better. :)

    I wish you lived closer to me. You sound like a fabulous cook.

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    1. Oh! Maria...there will be no living with me after your comment! *swells with pride...whether warranted or not - this girl grabs it with both hands and smiles*

      Maybe one day we will make a writer's weekend -when we earn scads of cash and can travel without a care! Lol - and I will cook some Lebanese food for you.

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  9. Congrats on getting your story out to beta readers! I long for the day that the novel I'm writing now can get to that point.

    Get well soon, as you can't afford a little hind pain to keep you away from your writing chair/couch/whatever you sit on! Keep up the good work!

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    1. Thanks, Mike. You'll get there...just keep plugging away. :}

      The hind end is well once again...lol. Thank goodness! I've got work to do.

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  10. Ah, Shiny-New-Idea-Syndrome. I know that nemesis well :D At least you've always got a story to work on but it is annoying when they interrupt you from what you should be doing :)
    My grandfather passed away several years ago but luckily I still have my grandmother, and I've always loved the stories she tells about her childhood (my favourites were of the antics of a troublesome child at her school and a particularly strict teacher). It's hard to imagine what life would have been like back then compared to the way it is now. Good luck for the next week :)

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    1. Glad to see there are so many who enjoyed stories from their grandparents! My grandfather had been left handed - but was 'corrected' - in the form of a ruler across the knuckles - into becoming right handed. Oy!

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  11. My husband is the best storyteller. Perfect timing. Dramatic pauses. Sometimes when I tell stories, I'm surprised by his voice emerging from me! Your post here reminds me of the fun of writing (I just finished a massive revision and also am waiting for comments from 'first readers') and am struggling over a cover. But perseverance furthers! Write on!

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