Handling the Beginnings and Endings of Stories

It depends on the time, the place, and the audience, but sometimes when you as the storyteller are ready to start telling, the audience is still in the process of getting settled and in the mood. So how do you craft a beginning that will get their attention? Equally important is letting your audience know when the story is finished. Sometimes the story is so engrossing, they are not ready for it to end. In this article, I share ideas and phrases that help storytellers tackle both of these situations — beginnings and endings.

How to start before actually starting. What do I mean by this? It is obvious that the group — many times composed of the very young children — is not calmed down enough to enjoy or appreciate a real story. A good way to get their attention and bond with them is to start with a silly song or a story that they can tell along with you. I have one song where I ask for animal names and sounds and we all sing it together. By the time we’ve done a few verses they are all “with me.” I also have a simple story that uses the fingers, and I tell them that I want them to learn it, so they can share it with their family. With older children and teenagers, I will often say, “Before I start my program, I just have to tell you something that just happened to me on the way here.” Then I share the scary urban legend about the vanishing hitchhiker describing the setting in the surrounding vicinity, naming streets, buildings, homes, etc., and by the time I have finished, their eyes are as big as saucers and they are hanging on every word. Note: you can find anything you would ever need to know about urban legends at http://www.snopes2.com.

Create a special poem, activity, or saying that creates a storytelling mood. I know several storytellers who have a special phrase or poem that sets the scene for their telling. One of my daughters made me some delightful storytelling wands that I wave in the air along with a few words to create a special effect. I know another teller who feels that we should begin all storytelling sessions with a special ritual. She will often light a candle that burns the whole time she is performing. Others use “call and response” that stand for “are you ready?” answered by “yes, we are ready.” I suggest that you create your own way to grab attention. It doesn’t always have to be the same way. It can vary from situation to situation.

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