WHEN LIFE BECOMES A STORY 8 benefits of telling Personal Stories

SUDDENLY YOU REMEMBER A STORY TO TELL

Nowadays there are lots of opportunities to tell stories, and not just the traditional ones. If you're interested, go and hear a few stories first. Go to The Dublin Story Slam, they meet once a month, they feature personal stories. That means stories from your own life. Things that have actually happened to you, not to your Mammy, or your Granny, or your Aunty Bridie, to you.

Or go along to The Story Circle in Bray Town Hall. It's run by the Mermaid Arts Centre , first Wednesday of the month ( Check Mermaid site for details)

Most of us have regaled our families and friends with tales from our lives. But, standing in front of an audience that has paid money to hear you is a different kettle of fish. Scary but exciting. Do it once, you'll want to do it again!

ADVANTAGES IN TELLING PERSONAL STORIES

• They are easier to tell than traditional stories - because you've lived them

• They are easier to remember - because you have lived them

• They are a record of social history

• They allow listeners to reminisce and remember

• The allow listeners to identify and think, "Oh, so it's not just me."

• They allow listeners to learn about the experience of people from different places and traditions

• They allow listeners to discover that, despite differences in cultures and backgrounds, we humans have so much in common

• They allow you, the teller, to learn about yourself, why you do certain things and why you think certain ways

However, if you really want to stand up in front of people who have left their warm homes and come out and hear your stories well... preparation, preparation and preparation is the key to success.

More about preparation to come.

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