Questions – Ask Questions; They Will Lead You Forward

Questions are KEY to the story-choosing/ story-preparation / storytelling process!

To really explore “questions” in storytelling would make a very long post indeed – which I’m going to avoid. To that end, for today I’m going to just list here a few of the questions that can be so useful.

Ask questions of the story, the audience, and yourself (yes, that “equilateral triangle” of storytelling!)…

Ask questions about the story –

• Do I love it?
• Why do I love it? (which you may or may not be able to identify – I’m not at all convinced that that’s necessary)
• What’s the most important thing about the story? Why will I tell it?
• What really happens in this story?
• Who is in it? Really: who?  How can I know and then share this character / these characters?
• …What else will you ask?

Ask questions about your audience –

• Who is listening and watching?
• Why are they there?
• What can I know about them, about their context?
• Are they able to hear and see me clearly?
• …What more will you ask?

Ask questions about yourself –

• Do I love this story? (a repeat question, yes)
• Do I know this story?
• Am I ready to tell it?
• Do I know how to share it with different audiences?
• Can I immerse in and embrace the imagery of this story?
• …What other questions will be important for you?

Here’s what’s interesting: Often it’s the case that specific answers are not even what’s needed – but the questioning process itself is what leads you forward, deeper and farther into your story selecting, preparation, and telling!

(I’ll have more to say on Questions in a future, separate blog or two-!)

Any questions?!

Thanks for reading – Pam