By Javacia Harris Bowser
Photo by Todd Helzer
On the second Saturday of every other month dozens of people gather at Urban Standard, a popular coffee shop in Birmingham, simply to listen to good stories.
Inspired by New York’s The Moth series, Arc Light Stories is one of my favorite things about my hometown. At each event eight storytellers share true tales from their own lives and make me laugh to the point of tears.
Many people who attend Arc Light Stories probably have dreams of taking the stage themselves one night, but aren’t quite sure if they can pull it off.
Jamie Golden is here to help.
Jamie is the author of the hilarious blog Jamie’s Rabbits and she shared a story at July’s Arc Light event. “I shared about my adventure of purchasing KY Jelly for the first time for a friend on his wedding day since it didn’t get marked off his honeymoon shopping list,” Jamie says.
I’m sure you’re sorry you missed that story. (Don’t worry, you can find “Not Toothpaste” on the Arc Light Stories website.)
I asked Jamie to give some tips to aspiring storytellers.
SJW Mag: How is storytelling at an event like Arc Light Stories different from telling a story in a blog post? I mean, other than the fact that a person can blog wearing nothing but underwear and that probably wouldn’t be a good idea for live event.
Jamie: It really can be as different as night and day. I always hope blog readers will hear “my voice” when they click on the link but it’s never guaranteed. However, in person, there are more tools at my disposal – volume, tone, and body language. As much of my story is told with my hands and face as with my actual words.
The best stories are either funny or heartbreaking, and even those are sprinkled with have humor. So how can a girl be as funny as you are? Can you give us some tips on how to include humor in a story?
I would point to my muffin top and cowlick as the sources of my humor, but since those may not be readily available to the average Jane, I’ll share some tips:
Exaggerate. Don’t lie, just overstate a unique component of the setting or a character or descriptive details. Don’t be afraid to do the same with facial expressions, vocal pauses, and gestures.
Be the Joke. People will grant you permission to laugh at other people and situations if you’ve given them permission to laugh at you.
Edit. It’s true in writing and it’s true in live storytelling. You should cut the unnecessary. You want an audience who’s invested, connected and entertained. Any part of the story that doesn’t accomplish that should be left behind.
Be Confident. I always feel more confident if there’s a friendly face in the audience – even if it means I buy their ticket or buy them dinner. I also stand taller when I’ve practiced my story more than even a few times.
Bonus: Don’t laugh at your own hilarity even if you’re bringing down the house. You’ll be considered even funnier.
Other than humor, what are some other elements of a good story?
I think a good story is known by heart, but not memorized. You need freedom to linger in the parts the audience seems to love. There should always be something at stake in a story. The audience is already rooting for you to be a good storyteller. You want them to root for the characters as well. And the non-negotiable, a good story has a beginning, middle and end.
Tell us what not to do. What makes a story absolutely horrible?
I’ll address my own pet peeves of storytelling – things I struggle with all the time:
Don’t leave the microphone. No one likes a story they can’t hear.
Don’t start a story with “This is such a funny story.” You’ve already set the bar beyond your reach.
Do finish well. This is good advice for marathons, all-you-can-eat buffets and sharing stories.
Do you ever get stage fright? I’m guessing you don’t, but for the sake of the introverts who may be reading this, what tips would you give for overcoming fear of speaking in front of people?
Right before I tell a story on stage, I always want to throw up and give up – not necessarily in that order. I take these steps to battle stage fright:
Practice. And then practice even more. Confidence is the perfect antiperspirant.
Make eye contact. Find the engaged listeners and return to them as you scan a room. Avoid any and all downers.
Remember: You’re not performing, you’re partnering with your audience to create a good time. They are on your team.