the seven stages of developing a story out loud

by Jo Anne Smith, David Roche and Terri Tate

getting present

exploring

refining

practicing and performing

When you step in front of a group to work on your story, you may be looking for new material or just starting to craft a particular story. You might have a rough set of ideas that need refining, or you may be satisfied with the shape of the story but want more practice in telling it. Depending on where you are, you will have different intentions and expectations, and the kind of coaching you need from the facilitator or group will vary.
The outline below describes one possible flow of story development, with suggestions for the different stages along the way. Step one, getting present, is the starting place no matter where you are find yourself in the process.

GETTING PRESENT – Setting the stage for creating out loud

1. Be there

Take a breath—be present in the moment.

Be with your listeners through easy eye connection, one person at a time.

Allow for stillness and silence.

EXPLORING - Finding the story and story elements

2. Explore freely

Let the story emerge.

Visit your inner landscape of events, images, memories, emotions.

Reflect back to different times, places, situations, people, and feelings that might make good containers for or elements of a story.

Be willing to just wander around and see where you go in the moment.

Don’t try to tell a complete story or be concerned with shaping or editing—simply notice what shows up.

3. Enter specific moments

Let a memory, image, scene, memory or event emerge.

Go deeply into a single moment without trying to advance the action or make it into a story.

Re-visit and report specific sensory details, feelings, impressions, body memories, etc.

REFINING– Identifying, organizing and crafting the story elements

4. Identify the emerging throughline

Determine the point, theme or predominant feeling of your story.

5. Create the structure and flow

Identify which elements serve the throughline. Eliminate any that don’t.

Organize the elements into the opening, key scenes, minor scenes, transitions, ending.

6. Refine and shape the story

Craft your opening and closing lines.

Refine the scenes and transitions.

Include sensory details, dialog, frozen moments, etc. to show us rather than tell what’s happening and what you are feeling.

PRACTICING AND PERFORMING - Making your story part of you

7. Embody your story

Practice it, rehearse it, refine it, think about it, live with it until it becomes part of you.

Tell your story as often as possible to family, friends and everyone else who will listen with attention, support and appreciation.

Tell it until you can do so while staying in relationship with your listeners.

Know your story so well that you can allow for new material or spontaneous changes in the moment.

Note: The above stages are not linear; they will frequently overlap or repeat or occur out of order.

For information on storytelling classes, workshops and performances please contact:

Jo Anne Smith • www.publicpresence.com

David Roche • www.davidroche.com

Terri Tate • www.territate.com

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