Family Storytelling

Storytellers,

What does a Kwanzaa Storytelling Workshop, a Kwanzaa Celebration
and a late night family gathering around buffalo wings and nacho cheese dip have in common? The answer is great storytellers and storytelling. There is a shared common belief that storytelling is only done by those gifted with a special talent. Ordinary people don't have anything special to tell and even if they did who would want to listen to what they have to say.

During the family gathering with my niece, grand-niece and cousins, I mostly listened. The stories had all the drama, excitement and humor found in stories from the best storytellers. I felt connected and I remembered. Things I had forgotten resurfaced, and I once again became
that little barefoot country girl with the long pigtails. My city cousins took me on my first trip to
six flags, squeezed into the back of a station wagon. Each generation told their stories and best of all, younger children were there to listen. Cousins that had not met before connected, bonds were established and others renewed.

What began for me as a public journey, that of a performing storyteller of fables and folktales, is transitioning into a personal and private journey, transitioning into a keeper and teller of my families stories. Part of that transition is to help others discover their
stories and restore faith in the worthiness of the stories and the necessity of telling the stories.

The Kwanzaa Storytelling Workshop was a great personal success. I was able to witness a family share their stories with each other. A 6 year old told of getting a pet, a 14 year old told of the beauty of her name and a 12 year old about his football coach. Husband and wife co-told of their desire for children and how their life has changed with children, and a daughter told of her father's influence in helping her become and independent adult.

I will not forget the look of surprise as each discovered their story and the dawning awareness that there were many more stories to tell. The shinning eyes, expressive words and smiles that greeted each story reaffirmed the value of the storyteller and the story. I want to witness more of this during 2006. As I develop my family stories, I want to work with others to develop their family stories.

One of my goals is to present several more family storytelling workshops. I ask your assistance and support as I make this transition in storytelling.

Jeanette Vaughn Waddell, Professional Storyteller
706-444-6133
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage and entertain."

Learning Communities

The Green Apple, a small family own bar/restaurant, reminds me of Cheers, was my "Chautauqua", learning community.  I can't even pronounce the word, and yet I ache to reexperience the concept.  I will not be satisfied with only a  virtual learning community.  I will recreate this with real people, in real time in my life.  I need this as much as I need air, food,water and love. I enjoy the Internet, a champion of e-mail communication.  This cannot replace connecting with real people.  I refuse to be stripped of the most meaningful experiences in life.  Ok, I've vented.

Jeanette W. Vaughn, Professional Storyteller
404-765-9751; kuumbastorytellers.org
jeanettevaughn.blogspot.com (listen to a story)
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage, entertain."

Connecting through Storytelling

Storytellers,

 

We are entering the season of great joy and great human need.  The best and the worst, more giving and loving; more depression more suicide.  The more high tech society becomes the more high touch will become necessary.  Unconsciously, we can spend days and even weeks without meaningful conversation with a real human being. Yesterday, I worked with a first grader that cried most of the day because she missed her mother.

 

What does this have to do with us as storytellers? We are high touch, we provide the high touch that far too many people are missing.  I sat beside the crying child and read a story.  She began to smile before the story was over.  There were more tears; she felt comfortable enough with me to let me hold her hand. She was willing to accept the comfort I offered.

 

This season, bring the gift of storytelling to those within your circle.  Share the beauty of human longing, suffering and triumph.  Truly, storytelling is the gift that keeps on giving.

 

Happy Holidays

Jeanette W. Vaughn, Professional Storyteller
404-765-9751; kuumbastorytellers.org
jeanettevaughn.blogspot.com (listen to a story)
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage, entertain."

Conquering Unreasonable Fear

 

This was an exciting day for me, both as a Kuumba member and personally.  The telling flowed, each story building and adding another dimension.  Listening was truly a feast for my ears.  I didn't plan to tell.  I asked to be placed last, hoping that we would run out of time and I wouldn't have to.

 

After about the sixth teller, I realized I'd better think of a story.  I'd thought about telling "The Trunk of Possibilities, a story I wrote for Southwest Atlanta Magazine.  I've never told a story that had begun as a written story.  The personal stories I've told up till this point were developed as oral stories.

 

I've never been able to translate a story that began as a written story into an oral story.  I'd almost changed my mind, until I talked with a friend of Gwen Napier's.  Gwen's friend said she'd read the story and really liked it.  (I wondered if anyone ever read those stories.)  She went one to tell me that it was her favorite of all the stories I'd written.  As if that wasn't enough encouragement, she shared a story. 

 

While Christmas shopping, she began a conversation with the sales clerk wrapping the purchase she'd just made.  The clerk mentioned that she didn't have a  present to give her grandchildren.  Gwen's friend told her the story "The Trunk of Possibilities."  She said that "you have something valuable that would be appreciated.  You may not know what it is now, somewhere, you to have a "trunk of possibilities."  The woman began crying as she finished wrapping the present.

 

Of course I chose to tell the story, and it turned out better than I ever expected.  Leaving the library, the adrenalin was pumping, not ready to go home, I ended up listening to a Latin band.  I've always wanted to dance in the street.  Tonight I did.  It was incredible.

 

Each time I conquer an unreasonable fear, my storytelling is transformed.  I am freed to be more expressive and to try the untried.  Watch out, I've just tackled two unreasonable fears, at our next event I may be dancing on the tables.

 

Thank you all for sharing this journey with me.  

Jeanette W. Vaughn, Professional Storyteller
404-765-9751; kuumbastorytellers.org
jeanettevaughn.blogspot.com (listen to a story)
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage, entertain."

The Storyteller's Voice

The Kuumba Storytellers of Georgia has many exceptional
storytellers. I've listened in awe during the last five months as they
performed at The Green Apple, a small restaurant/bar in downtown East
Point Georgia. Any storyteller that can hold the attention of adults in
a bar is worth noting. Even better than that, when the bar patrons turn
from the baseball/basketball game, listens, and remind the storyteller to
continue repeating the story's refrain.

Listening, I'm often coveting the storytellers style and voice.
Eventually common sense prevails and I understand that I enjoy the teller
precisely because they are staying true to their voice. We are each
different, each unique, each with a passion for storytelling. The
passion is expressed in the particular stories we choose.

This journey is filled with surprises and pitfalls. I want to
enjoy the surprises and avoid pitfalls as much as possible. Those I
don't avoid, I want to learn and pass the lesson on to others. This
lesson I pass on: Discover your voice and maintain true. It is the only
way to lasting success.

Jeanette W. Vaughn, Professional Storyteller
404-765-9751; kuumbastorytellers.org
jeanettevaughn.blogspot.com (listen to a story)
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage, entertain."

Audio Story: How Wisdom Came into the World

Storytelling workshop for teachers, media specialist, daycare providers. 

And Then...

And then I checked the Creative Storytelling Blog, lo and behold, my post
was there. I am spending this week and next week developing an internet
presence. I am registered with Kudzu. com and began this blog. The next
challenge is to have audio and pictures on the blog. Audio will allow me
to share some of my favorite stories. Pictures are still worth a
thousand words. I am also going to sign on with Storyteller.net, with
audio and a written article.

Jeanette W. Vaughn, Professional Storyteller
404-765-9751; kuumbastorytellers.org
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage, entertain."

The Story Finally Begins

I've tried for several days to post to this blog. I've met with
countless hours of frustration. Finally, I'm hoping that this will post
through email. This is a new venture for me.

Jeanette W. Vaughn, Professional Storyteller
404-765-9751; kuumbastorytellers.org
"Weaving a web of words that educate, encourage, entertain."