Story-telling party?

[usernamenumber]

I am wondering about having a story-telling party.

This would be a party where people come with a story to tell. I'm thinking 5-10 minutes long each, though really longer would be fine as long as it stays interesting. I'm thinking (mostly-)true stories, told a la The Moth, but I know a fair number of writers, and hey, if someone wanted to write a short fictional story, or even bring a favorite to read, hey, why not?

Anyway, some of my favorite party moments have been those late-night times when people are just sitting around swapping stories, and I know that some of you have some great ones, so...

[Poll #1560349]

As for dates, the next weekend date I'm free is June 4th or 6th, and I'm thinking about grabbing one of those. If you have a pref, say so in comments.

Comments

[marius23.livejournal.com]

Shaggy dog stories?

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

For the love of all that is holy, please no. :P

[ryca.livejournal.com]

When I was little, my dad used to challenge me to memorize poetry; he had a memory of sitting around a campfire with a bunch of people, and one by one they had all pulled out instruments (guitars, harmonicas) to play songs, or had sung songs, or told stories or recited poems. He couldn't sing, or play an instrument, but he had a gift for storytelling like few others. He wanted us to be able to contribute in that same way, that amazing kind of night.

I still have his favorite book of poetry here with me.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

That's awesome. :)

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Is the storytelling mandatory? I love the concept, but I'm a horrid storyteller and have serious public speaking issues....

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Nope. The "I would attend" option was intended to convey that. Of course, we'd need to have enough people choosing option 1 for it to work, but other than that, audience is important, too. :)

No pressure, but genuinely wondering out of curiosity: would you have an easier time telling a story as Miriam or another character?

[ladysprite.livejournal.com]

Not really. I have *SERIOUS* public speaking phobias, that don't go away in game - that's a lot of why I tend to play characters that are far from the center of attention.

I can get past them sometimes - it's utterly random as to when and I have no idea of how, but once in a while I have no problem being loud and in the spotlight. But 9 times out of 10 it just.... I can't do it.

[beetiger.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I can be in town either of those weekends, but if I am, I will be there.

[londo.livejournal.com]

I'm not sure I could attend such an event without visibly caustically wincing.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Why?

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

I mean, obviously I can assume what you mean, but I also know that you know a fair number of good story-tellers because I know them too, so I'm curious why you expect wince-worthiness?

[tiurin.livejournal.com]

My Friends Are Demented stories? =P

[archangelwells.livejournal.com]

June 4 would work for me, with a reminder. July 6 isn't a weekend?


Also, could we bring someone with us to the story telling? Especially if it's on a Friday night, I have a friend who I think would enjoy this and would probably have a story or two to tell.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

d'oh. I mean June in both cases. Fixed.

Also, sure!

[staystrong62805.livejournal.com]

I would attend. Also, you should friend me.

<3
Kat

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Done! :)

[bleemoo.livejournal.com]

I'd attend. I may tell a story, but I didn't want to check that box, as it'd depend how I was feeling at the time.

[swashbucklr]

I was at a party that turned into one, as a bunch of us started telling stories and singing by a fire. It was pretty awesome.

[how-low-am-i.livejournal.com]

i am relaying for life june 4-5

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Ok. Will aim for the 6th, then.

[fontia.livejournal.com]

I have very mixed feelings about story telling. I never feel like I have any genuinely interesting stories to tell. I've met famous people, but that doesn't make a story interesting. I've been through some physical and emotional hardships...but those don't make a story interesting either. I think my problem may just be that I lack that skill that helps you find what other people will think is interesting about a story and how to highlight it seamlessly. I guess I need to listen to more NPR.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

Fair enough. People who just want to hang out and listen to people swap stories, laugh, comment, etc, are more than welcome.

If you are interested in good examples of story-telling, The Moth podcast I linked to in the original post has some good stuff. You're probably familiar with This American Life, but if not it is also worth listening to. Also, Henry Rollins' spoken-word albums, believe it or not.

...but I digress. Sharing stories would by no means be required of anyone.

[elenuial.livejournal.com]

If you do this while I'm out of the country, I should never forgive you, even if I might regret attending in the first place.

[usernamenumber.livejournal.com]

When are you out of the country?

[elenuial.livejournal.com]

Effectively, I am away from MA from May 23 through all of June, and return in early to mid July.

In other words, if you planned on doing it soon, then trying to keep to my schedule would be a major inconvenience. Which means that, clearly, you'd have to do another one.

[elusiveat.livejournal.com]

I'm more likely to attend if you send out a formal invite than if you post to LJ, because I mostly don't keep up with LJ or Facebook.

also

[elusiveat.livejournal.com]

I wonder what the best classification would be for what you have in mind. When I hear "storytelling", I think folk tales. War stories and other anecdotes perhaps? Or maybe you want to keep a broad base...

[m-shell.livejournal.com]

Sorry. Would come except for in CA.

[ultimatepsi.livejournal.com]

Cool idea. I'm likely to be way-too-busy, but I'd attend and tell a probably shorter-than-5-minutes story or two if I have the time.

[juldea.livejournal.com]

I would not be able to come on the 4th or 5th, and would only be available for part of the 6th. So I support the 6th, and I will show when I can! :P