- Larry G. Brown
I grew up listening to stories, especially those of my grandfather and mother, and early in my childhood enjoyed listening to radio programs. I always appreciated hearing teachers, preachers, and other leaders use stories. Then in 1980 I heard my first “professional” storyteller at a conference, and believed I could do that, and began to integrate storytelling into my music performances. In 1981-82 I attended some storytelling festivals and workshops and was soon “on the stage.”
I tell folk tales, Ozark Jack Tales, personal memories, historical narratives, current issues, and have developed the specialties of chicken stories, tall tales, and spooky stories. I do Biblical Storytelling (Academy of Biblical Storytelling Certificate) as well.
My current goals in storytelling are to get my 200+ original stories preserved in written and/or recorded form; and to continue to be available for storytelling gigs for a variety of primarily adult audiences.
There are many experiences that have been very positive and memorable, so it is difficult to describe just one, but to observe the behavior of people in the audience that reveals the story has welcomed them into its narrative is so rewarding, whether that audience was a group of 6 or 600, or the ages from 4 to 99.
I have been honored to share the stage with some of the best known and best loved tellers. I joined MO-TELL at least 30 years ago. I was MO- TELL president around 2014-2017. It was a time when we had 7- 8 active storytelling groups/guilds in the state, and 5-6 annual storytelling festivals. It was good to be in communication with so many tellers and storytelling organizations, and to collaborate in the fostering of storytelling.
MO-TELL, along with other organizations have consistently helped me with skill development, find new venues, and strengthen collegiality. Friendships found here have endured over the years. I want people to know that while I enjoy telling to all ages and stages, my preference is adults; and that I thoroughly enjoy helping people experience humor, wonder, awe, inspiration, and motivation to be one with all people and the earth. I advise new tellers to tell what they most appreciate, do not be afraid of challenges in learning a story, focus on the narrative plot, and always foster interaction with the listeners.
A story is a process of connecting and the mutual influence of the teller, the story, and the listeners.
Contact Larry G. Brown at 10 Hourigan Circle, Columbia, MO 65201; brownstory@hotmail.com; or 573-256-0091.
RESPECT
1. Respect yourself as a teller. Respect your story. Respect other tellers and their story.
2. When telling stories with a partner, be a good listener when they are telling their story. Lead the laughter and applause for them.
3. The amount of time given to each teller is important to the entirety of the program. Stay within your time limit and respect the time of the other tellers.
Hello my friends,
March 1st was a sunny, mild day. Not an “in like a lion out like a lamb” day at all. The crocus and daffodils were peeking their heads above the ground, the sky was blue, and Spring is just around the corner. How glorious is that!
Last weekend I was part of the Winter Winds Storyfest sponsored by the Story Center, Mid-Continent Public Library in Kansas City, MO and River and Prairie Storyweavers.
This was the inaugural year for Winter Winds and the Story Center. There was a workshop, a lunch with a story swap, a panel of storytellers and a concert. I was part of the panel. My part was to speak about the early childhood storytelling applications. I was grateful to have my voice heard. Most of my work is with young people. Although I love telling stories to all ages, it is vital to tell stories to young listeners. The first years of their lives are the most important in brain development. Storytelling helps develop listening skills, enhances imagination, teaches problem solving and introduces children to literature, just to name a few. It is a big responsibility for the storyteller to aid in this development. Storytelling is not just entertainment for the little ones; it has an influence on their future.
You should give preschool storytelling a try. You just might love it. Look for the Winter Winds Storyfest next year. February 22, 2025.
Keep telling your tales,
Joyce Slater
President, MO-TELL
“Storytelling captures an aspect of childhood experience when being told a story was a common ritual. It’s a warm place for most of us and in some ways represents our first listening experience in really listening.”
– Paul Lansky