"The story belongs to the storyteller." I read this line in a book by Lee Smith, and it made me put the book down and think about that statement. What did she mean? Was she talking about copyright, that hot topic in storytelling world?
No, her meaning was something more--well, meaningful. Think about a story you tell, whether it be a family story or a polished performance piece or a tale you've written. Your telling of the story influences the way the story is heard or perceived by your audience. Call it spin, if you like, although that seems a shallow word to use in consideration of something this important.
For example, if I want an audience to feel that a character is a bad person, I can communicate that without words through body language, facial expression, even tone of voice. They will understand that this person is not someone I like. A writer can do by choice of words, the reaction of other characters, or the description of the character.
We can do influence listeners/readers with other story elements too. We can influence emotions easliy through tone, subject matter, expressions, choice of words. We have an obligation, I think, to keep it honest, because we might have them sorry for us or a story character, believing the story to be a true account, when in fact it's fiction. I've had that experience at a storytelling event and it's unsettling--I felt cheated by the teller who evoked a very emotional response from the audience, then at the end admitted the story was one he'd made up.
And what about working with children? Children are so easy to influence. Do we as storytellers have the right to introduce our own beliefs to them in a story in such a way that we influence them to think as we do? I am a strong opponent of the Iraq War, but should I allow that to influence my storytelling when the audience is young and impressionable--and at that moment looking up to me as a star? (It's nice to be a star sometimes, even if it's for 4 year olds!).
Lee Smith's simple statement leads to some deep reflection on the role and responsibility of any storyteller ,whether a writer or a professional stage teller. We owe our audiences authenticity and truth, even if the story is fiction.
Hi Sue, Ginger here. I've truly enjoyed reading your blog -- thanks for posting the link on the WVW Roundtable.
ReplyDeleteI've been involved in many discussions that relate to your question about influencing readers with fictional tales. This is precisely the concern I had as I was moving from nonfiction essays to fiction writing. I felt I was lying, or possibly influencing unduly.
I understand now how better to do it. You don't have the gist of the story be the opinion; you allow a CHARACTER to have an opinion and express it. That way the audience (readers) can make their own decision as to whether it's truth, lies, good or bad. Our CHARACTERS can hold any opinion -- good or bad -- as long as we as writers don't force OUR opinions down our readers' throats.
So as to your feeling about the Iraq war, rather than create a story that clearly states this, you can have a CHARACTER express his or her opinion within the framework of your story and get the message across while maintaining your personal integrity.
Some examples: Story line is anti-Iraq war (author's opinion imposed on reader). Story line includes a character who is against the Iraq war (better). Then you can have an entire story line that has nothing to do with the Iraq war, but have two characters discussing it as a related conversation within the context of the story (best). That leaves room for the reader to draw their own conclusion.
Of course, I am no expert! Just a story teller...
Best,
Ginger
Chicken Scratches
You speak truly, Ginger. Writers can do this perhaps more easily than a storyteller. A storyteller must be watchful of elements other than the words used--like body language, inflection, eye contact. A storyteller communicates as much verbally as they do with words, which is why often the told story uses less words than the written story.
ReplyDeleteA storyteller can indicate with their hand how tall a dog is; she can indicate surprise with voice or facial expression. In the written story, the writer has to find ways to do this by the choice of words.
One mantra I've heard over and over in relation to writing is "show, don't tell." So trying to find the words that show surprise without actually saying "she was surprised" is a challenge for the writer. The storyteller can show easily, but the challenge then is to show truly what the character, and not the teller, is feeling.