What do the Star Wars, Jason Bourne, James Bond, Shrek and the Matrix movies all have in common? Story structure. They’re all the same story told in a different way. Practically every movie you’ve ever seen follows a similar pattern or story structure. Joseph Campbell, the American mythologist, writer and lecturer, calls it the hero’s journey. Read the rest of this entry »
Where does a story begin? Determining when and where your story begins impacts the direction your story takes. Over the next month I’m going to be sharing the process I go through to construct a story as Deborah and I go off on our journey to Malaysia.
Here’s the back story. I’ve been hired to do six days of story training in Kuala Lampur by a large training organization. In addition, they’ve licensed my Story Theater Method for two years. That means I have to train six of their trainers to teach my method. This is an amazing opportunity to visit a new country, meet some wonderful people and do some very good work.
So where does the Malaysia story begin? There are a number of options. I could start the story on Tuesday March 1st, the day we board our flights to Malaysia. But the story begins long before we board the plane. Do I start it in Washington DC in June of 2009 when I gave a presentation at the ASTD International Conference? That’s where the client first saw me. But I didn’t meet him until December of 2009 when he came to Denver to go skiing with his family. We met in a hotel lobby where he talked about bringing me to Malaysia. Is that where the story starts? Or does it start in Colorado Springs when Deborah showed me an email requesting a meeting in Denver?
Think about a story that you’d like to tell. Where does your story begin?
Step One of the Nine Steps of Story Structure is called Set the Scene. It’s a specific time and place. It’s where the journey begins. Once you consider all of your options, choose one starting point and go from there. As you develop the story, you’ll soon discover whether the time and place you chose was right. If it’s not, you can choose one of your other options and go from there.
I intend to take you along on this journey as my Malaysia Story unfolds. Stay tuned.
www.storytelling-in-business.com
If your 2010 was anything like my 2010, it was a supreme test of character. It tested our patience, our commitment and our creativity.
For Deborah and me, here at Story Theater International, it was also a year of reflection. We had to question our business model, our product offerings and our limiting beliefs. Read the rest of this entry »
Watch this short interview response from Kevin Spacey. His audience for this interview is actors, but the answer applies to all of us.
I spend a good deal of time in the United Airlines Red Carpet Club. As a matter of fact, I’m writing this article in the Denver Red Carpet Club. As I look around at my fellow travelers, I like to imagine where they are on their journey. Some are waiting for the last leg home. Others are just beginning their journey away from home.
I’m sure you know what it’s like. You overhear people on their cell phones negotiating contracts, talking to their kids, or discussing what they had for dinner. And then, there might be the occasion where you see someone in pain. Perhaps that middle-aged man just lost a loved one and he and his wife are headed to a funeral. Maybe that lady who looks pasty and exhausted had surgery last week and she’s on her way home to an empty house. Read the rest of this entry »
Your most valuable asset is your people. Many organizations refer to them as talent, because that is exactly what they are. They are unique individuals with specific talents and skills. With expert leadership, their talents will flourish. Five talented people with proper guidance and leadership will easily outperform ten people who lack proper guidance and leadership.
That is why inspirational leaders are so valuable. They are a net asset. Read the rest of this entry »
These are challenging times. Everything seems to happen slower. There is a hesitancy in the world that is causing people to be cautious. While income opportunities continue to present themselves, the pace at which they arrive may feel like watching a snail cross a four lane freeway.
If you are frustrated by the pace, be patient. As my good friend and drinking companion Bill Shakespeare always says to me,
“How poor are they that have not patience. What wound did ever heal but by degrees?”
Be patient my friends. What is yours will find you.
“You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face. You must do the things you think you cannot do.”
Eleanor Roosevelt
The Story Theater Retreat is a storytelling in business professional development workshop unlike any other. It is held at the Peak View Studio in Colorado Springs in the home of Doug Stevenson and Deborah Merriman. Make no mistake, this a a serious presentation skills learning experience with a focus on storytelling in business.
The Retreat is unique because:
Picture yourself in this situation: someone turns to you and says, “Jody was supposed to do some opening remarks to start the meeting but she can’t be here, can you jump in and get us started?” You have thirty minutes to prepare. What would you do? Read the rest of this entry »
