Satomi and I just came back from two weeks in Japan. It was an amazing time.  I feel like I am much more interesting when I’m there, despite my shoddy Japanese language ability. It’s probably because I have to plan ahead when I speak Japanese. I’m just not good enough to totally wing it. That makes me have a point, something I far too often fail to have in English. It doesn’t hurt that it takes to much work to say everything that’s on my mind. Maybe that makes me more of a man of mystery.

Conversations are just people trading stories. Some folks are definitely better at the conversation/storytelling game than others. I started thinking about what others have to say about storytelling and I pulled up a few pieces of advice from two of my favorite storytellers, Kurt Vonnegut and Pixar. This is a starter list that I’m going to put into practice. I’m sticking with basic stuff. Hoping this will lessen the odds of people to fleeing when I open my mouth.

I’ve added a few of my own comments. I’d love to hear what you have to add to the list. Your own advice or the advice of others is welcome.

From Kurt Vonnegut:

“Use the time of a total stranger in such a way that he or she will not feel the time was wasted.”

Apply this to everyone, not only total strangers.

“Start as close to the end as Possible”

Sometimes you don’t need to know my entire theory about how wearing Wrangler jeans as a child shaped who I am today, in order to understand my prediction about who will win the Superbowl.

“Write [speak] to please just one person.”

Just make sure that the person you are pleasing is your audience and not only yourself.

From Pixar storyboard artist Emma Coats:

“You admire a character for trying more than for their successes”

Keep this in mind and you will be less likely to always need to one-up people when they tell you about something. I know from experience.

“Simplify. Focus…Hop over Detours”

Mirrors what Vonnegut had to say. We all love people who can get to the point.

 “Come up with your ending before you figure out your middle. Seriously. Endings are hard, get yours working up front.”

This one is my greatest nemesis (in English)! Seriously, if you ever hear me start talking and doubt that I know where I’m going, call me out on it. You’ll be doing me a favor.

I’ll be watching the comments to see what gems of storytelling wisdom you have to add.

The Green Tea Dreamer