Yes, everyone who has an experience to share with anyone who has ears to hear will tell stories. The teller and the listener create the story experience, and bring the story to life.
Where will the stories come from? They come from all the rich experiences, all the varieties of background, all the insight and wisdom, and the skills of using the voice and body. After that, of course, they must come from the words of the storytellers.
The story comes alive through the storyteller's skills. How does one acquire such skills? One allows the imagination to play about in the mind unhindered, and allows it to dwell on every aspect of the story. While gaining penetrating insight, there remains in evidence the enthusiasm and spontaneity of a child. Skill comes also from the ability to concentrate. The story is the subject of intense concentration while preparing it for telling. Alongside the strong desire to share must be a keen sensitivity to the needs and moods of listeners. Beyond all these, the storyteller is possessed of a deep and abiding joy. An “anything can happen” mind-set is an obvious trait.
The good storyteller must have a feeling for language and words. The words flow from constant reference to the thesaurus and the dictionary. Successful storytelling requires an adequate vocabulary that is always growing. (A thesaurus is not a dinosaur!) Being on speaking terms with good and great literature is a definite plus. There must be a willingness to learn and practice the art of telling the story. Did I say at the beginning that all of us tell the stories? All the attributes listed above may be acquired through study and practice. In my view, any normal person, unless extremely introverted, may become skilled in this art. It only needs the willingness to work at it.
The story
• Choose your story carefully. It should be right for the audience, for the occasion, and for you.
• The plot should be simple and clear.
• What happens should seem plausible considering the situation.
• The teller is at all times intimately involved with the audience and the story evolves through the interaction of the teller and the audience.
A well-told story is long lasting in effect. The recollection brings added pleasure.
Telling
You have chosen the perfect story for the occasion. You have spent the necessary time with it and now it belongs to you. When you tell it, there is no possibility of ever forgetting it. Now you will tell with simplicity, directness and with abandon.
You will find that you will have no problem with pacing the story, inflection of the words, or pauses. You will need no list of reminders once you have found that the audience is eager, and the listeners are in the story with you. Once you have looked into the eyes that smile and have seen the heads that nod in agreement. You have heard the chuckle of amusement or the indrawn breath of suspense, now you are wound up in the skein of the yarn spinner and the picture grows before your eyes as well as those of your listeners.
The spiritual impact
What you have seen and heard, you are now ready to bring to the audience. Many whose spiritual eyes and ears are closed will see and hear through this medium. It is then that the storyteller receives the reward of audible sighs, laughter, tears, applause and sometimes those actual words spoken aloud in response to what the storyteller tells. That is the, “Oh, no!” or other emotional outbursts that may tickle the teller's ear.
When one's spirit is touched, then the person's understanding of life will be deeper and richer. The well-told story affects the unconscious mind and thus it stirs the hearer to action if that is the desired effect. A profound sense of peace and satisfaction could be the response you want. This is how the Lord can use the dedicated storyteller for his glory.