Mostly True Memoirs
Tell Me Your Story
Tell me your story! Storytelling is a powerful tool that goes beyond the written word. While writing is a crucial skill for any writer, learning to tell stories orally can greatly enhance your storytelling craft. Today we will explore the benefits of telling a story and how it can make you a better writer.
How Storytelling Can Make You A Better Writer
Instills a Love for Language
Telling stories verbally can instill a love for language among both the storyteller and the audience. When you tell a story, you have the opportunity to engage with your audience on a personal level, captivating their attention and immersing them in the narrative. This love for language can translate into your writing, as you develop a deeper appreciation for the power of words and their impact on the reader.
Enhances Creativity and Improvisation Skills
Telling stories orally requires thinking on your feet and adapting to the reactions and engagement of your audience. This process enhances your creativity and improvisational skills as you learn to craft narratives in real time. These skills can be invaluable when it comes to writing, as they allow you to think outside the box, explore new ideas, and create compelling storylines that captivate your readers.
Develops a Strong Narrative Voice
Telling stories aloud helps you develop a strong narrative voice. As you engage with your audience, you learn to convey emotions, create vivid descriptions, and bring characters to life through your voice and gestures. This ability to create a captivating narrative voice can greatly enhance your writing, as it adds depth and authenticity to your storytelling on the page.
Improves Story Structure and Pacing
When you tell a story orally, you naturally develop an understanding of story structure and pacing. You learn how to build tension, create suspense, and deliver satisfying resolutions to keep your audience engaged. This knowledge can be applied to your writing, allowing you to craft well-structured narratives that hook readers from the beginning and keep them invested until the end.
Fosters Connection with the Audience
Storytelling is a powerful tool for fostering connection and building emotional engagement with your audience. When you tell a story, you have the opportunity to create a shared experience, evoke emotions, and spark imagination. This connection with your audience can translate into your writing, as you learn to create relatable characters, evoke empathy, and craft narratives that resonate with readers on a deeper level.
Boosts Confidence and Public Speaking Skills
Telling stories orally can boost your confidence and improve your public speaking skills. As you practice storytelling in front of an audience, you become more comfortable with public speaking, develop better communication skills, and learn to captivate and engage listeners. These skills are valuable not only for oral storytelling but also for author readings, book signings, and other public appearances as a writer.
Learning to tell stories orally can greatly benefit your writing skills. It instills a love for language, enhances creativity and improvisation, develops a strong narrative voice, improves story structure and pacing, fosters connection with the audience, and boosts confidence and public speaking skills. So, embrace the art of storytelling, and let it enrich your writing journey. Remember, every story has the power to captivate, inspire, and leave a lasting impact. Now, tell me your story.

Liz Brenner
Everyone has a story to tell.
Even you.
Especially you.