Five lessons on storytelling from Natalie Goldberg

The Storyteller #13

Each week, we share a practical technique to become a more effective storyteller and analyze a video that demonstrates its use in the real-world.

Quote of the week

“Stories are the creative conversion of life itself into a more powerful, clever, more meaningful experience.” Robert McKee

photo: amazon

Five lessons on storytelling from Natalie Goldberg

Natalie Goldberg wrote “Writing Down the Bones—Freeing the Writer Within” in 1986. In the nearly 40 years since it has gone on the become the all-time best-selling writer’s handbook. 

The book captures the essence of Robert McKee’s quote above, by providing timeless advice to its readers. In this issue, we look at five key things that you can take away from Natalie’s book to elevate your storytelling game.

  1. Embrace your own voice: Be authentic. As Oscar Wilde reminded us, “Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken.” When you are true to yourself, expressing even your vulnerability, your audience perceives you as genuine and trustworthy. This fosters connection with your audience, the first step in being heard. The best example of this that I can think of is the Blue Penguin newsletter by Michael Katz. 

  1. Dig deep into your experiences: Leverage real-life experiences to enrich your storytelling. Others, including your audience, are likely to have experienced similar situations, and will be able to relate. Yet by focusing on the specifics, emotions and insights from your life experiences, you not only make it your own but memorable.

“Be specific.  Don’t say ‘fruit.  Tell what kind of fruit— It is pomegranate.’
It is much better to sat ‘the geranium in the window’ than ‘the flower in the window.’

Natalie Goldberg

  1. Show, don’t just tell: When you speak to your audience, bring them into your world. Add sensory details to transport them into your storymaking it vivid and engaging. People tend to trust what they see. So, paint a compelling narrative with your words. A great example of this is Issae Rae’s speech at the Lifetime Achievement Award for Denzel Washington. 

  2. Craft stories with heart: Just as Goldberg invites us to write from our heart, infuse passion and emotion in storytelling. Speak as if nothing else matters but this! Let your enthusiasm shine through to encourage your listeners to indulge in your ventures. A great example of this the TEDx talk by Mark Bezos, A life lesson from a volunteer firefighter. 

  3. Practice makes perfect: Consistency is paramount! Apply the tips in your storytelling, speak, seek feedback and fine tune your narratives to become a masterful storyteller over time! 

Goldberg’s advice to writers works just as well for all of us in harnessing the transformative power of storytelling in our own personal and professional pursuits.

Video

In this video by Elephant Journal, Waylon Lewis talks to Natalie Goldberg who tells us in her own words what she thinks of writing and how to write.

Writer Tara East in a video shares her take on Natalie Goldberg’s 7 Rules of Writing. Some things such as the first rule, “Keep your hand moving,” works very well for writing, but may not be so applicable when you are telling a story or making a presentation. However if you take “Keep your hand moving” as Natalie intends, namely keep at it, without letting your inner critical voice stopping you, it is true for nearly every pursuit of ours, including storytelling.