How the heck do I remember what comes next? My efforts to tell my story, my whole story, and nothing but my story . . .
I recently crafted and told my first “official” story, The Greatest Gift. I’m a thinker and a writer and as such, my story ended up being significantly complex. I didn’t intend for it to be, but before I knew it my tale consisted of an inner frame, an outer frame, and then the central theme and message of the story wove through the entirety of my work. Additionally, as my purpose in crafting and telling stories is that my children, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and future posterity will know from where and whence they came, I added details about my parents and assorted grandparents as and when I was able. One of the class participants present at my telling commented that I had told three separate and distinct stories.
When I set out on my story crafting adventure, my intent had been to tell one simple story, but then I wanted to include this musing, and that specific detail. I desired to note fond memories of my childhood and the tender feelings I had for my father and in my mind’s eye I saw how all these things could be neatly pieced together in one beautifully wrapped package. I felt the memories contained within my story were important to share and I chose not to leave anything out.
I was pleased with my final written product, but then it was time to think about the oral retelling. On the advice of a classmate, I recorded my narrative and listened to it repeatedly. As I practiced telling my story out loud, it was impossible for me to remember the specific sequence of events as well as every detail I deemed to be essential to the gist of my story. When it came time to present in class, what did I do? I cheated. I used “stepping stones” – 15 pale-yellow colored post it notes with the topics noting the information to be shared boldly printed in blue on each one. My notes included words such as “childhood”, “mom and dad”, “learning to sew”, “sophomore in high school”, “the Christmas coat”, “Dad’s lengthy lecture”, “going back to school”’ and “the transformation.”
Surprisingly enough I very much enjoyed telling my story/stories… but, next time I will tell just one. There will be no inner frame, no outer frame, and no message or theme being woven throughout. KISS, Keep It Simple Stupid, will be my motto and I sincerely hope I’ll be able to tell my tale without the aid of my pale-yellow friends.
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