Secreted away, in the story you may not know you have, is your voice. When you find your voice, you find authority, security, value and hope. What’s your story?
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Years ago I was watching an indie film with a mate, The Saint of Fort Washington, and three lines of dialogue stuck with me, long before I took up a pen to write.
“What’s your story, boy?”
“I haven’t got a story.”
“Everyone’s got a story.”
When I meet you for the first time, I ask for your name but I am asking for more than nomenclature. I am asking for the identity and meaning of who you are.
I am asking, “What is your story?”
Why Tell Stories?
Stories help us:
- make sense of the world.
- imagine the possibilities.
- map the path we’ve forged or destroyed.
- understand and question our own humanity.
- celebrate the good events of life.
- learn from the dumb mistakes we’ve made.
- question humanity when we do dumb things.
- to have courage, overcome fear and pursue goals.
I create art to speak into the darkness, that I may be a light for others to ignite their own flame to be able to see and walk clearly.
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Everyone’s story is valuable and interesting. When I meet you, I see the collected snapshots on your phone as specific, potted memories that make for a conversation about who you are. The chain around your neck is symbolic of your story. The tattoo on your shoulder has a story behind it too. Stories are the fabric we clothe ourselves in.
Why Do I Tell Stories?
I write stories for two reasons. Firstly, I write for myself for the reasons given above. As selfish as that sounds I love stories, words, imagery, language, reading, editing. And yes, I am one of those people who have always wanted to write; it just took me a while to get started.
The second reason why I write stories is a little more altruistic. At my core is a love of teaching because I am a high school English teacher. Teaching involves telling stories, reading and writing stories. Stories are parables where we learn about the human experience. I don’t write parables or fables in the traditional sense but I see the role of stories and literature as a means of teaching about the human experience.
Therefore a couple of years ago I formulated a manifesto, a declaration of why I wanted to write short stories, novellas, novels and poetry, and why I blogged about how to live a creative life.
My creative manifesto:
I am a writer.
I write because I want to tell a story, but not just any story.
I write because I want to tell the story of those who are disempowered.
I write because I want to tell the story of those who are not heard.
I write because I want to tell the story of those who cannot speak.
I write because I want to tell the story for those who cannot.
I write because I believe that telling a person’s story is integral in understanding who they are.
I create art to speak into the darkness, that I may be a light for others to ignite their own flame to be able to see and walk clearly.
It’s All About You
The last statement is important because I do not write solely for myself. I have another reason for writing: I want you to find your voice. I want your voice to be heard. When you find your voice, you find authority, security, value and hope. I believe everyone needs to tell his or her story in their own way. I choose to use words to tell my story and to tell your story.
Finding Your Voice
But I want you to learn to tell your stories, your way.
I am still wearing in the new shoes of “writer” and attending to the blisters on my heels with Band Aids.
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It is said there is a novel in every one of us, trying to get out, waiting to be written. I disagree. Not everyone is a writer, nor is everyone a musician, nor is everyone an artist, nor a dancer, nor a filmmaker.
I say there’s a story within every one of us. I write to encourage you to find your own way of telling your story whether it’s linguistically, visually, verbally or physically.
Your story can be represented:
- linguistically (story, memoir, diary, poetry)
- visually (photographs, film and video, painting, sculpture, art and craft)
- verbally (song, performance poetry, recorded oral history, speeches)
- physically (dance, theatre)
You need to know your story.
You need to know how to best express your story.
You choose the message. You choose the medium.
Tell your story, your way.
Your story gives someone the knowledge that they are not alone in their experience.
What Is Your Creative Legacy?
I am still wearing in the new shoes of “writer” and attending to the blisters on my heels with Band Aids. I look forward down the road where other writers have been and look at the legacy they have left behind. I read the graffiti scrawled on the walls of the underpasses and bridges by commentators and critics, other readers and writers and come to understand the place of writers and storytellers, the mischief-makers of language and those who guard its legitimacy with fervor and zeal.
As I walk, I wonder what my creative legacy will be. Will my words live on beyond me in tomes of dead trees or digital imprint? I’m not sure I really care because I want to leave a different legacy. The essence of creativity is not to leave a body of work but to leave a legacy of relationships.
Through digital connections and real life conversations I’ve made great relationships and connections with people who are further along the journey than me, who are willing to share their insight and input even if it’s limited by 140 characters. I’ve met other writers who I walk along side, encouraging, supporting and cheering on for their successes and offering Band Aids and support when needed.
Someone once championed me and I write because I want to become the champion for someone else because it is the best thing I can do.
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It is my hope to offer to new writers the same support and encouragement I received when I started writing. Everyone needs someone to champion your creative cause: writing, music, art, dance, film, photography, business or sport.
Your champion will provide encouragement when it appears hardest and swift kick in the backside when you’re slacking off. Your champion will smile and nod when you tell them your latest crazy idea and won’t be afraid to lend a hand for you to be able to pull it off. Your champion will trumpet your success and commiserate your failure (and later on, make it an object lesson so you learn from your mistakes).
Someone once championed me and I write because I want to become the champion for someone else because it is the best thing I can do.
I want to ensure my character lasts longer than my words (although it would be nice if my words and works were recognised, too). I want to create a conversation where we champion each other’s causes because it is more blessed to give than to receive and it fulfils the commandment to ‘love thy neighbour as thyself.’
I write stories for those who cannot, and I write so others may learn to tell their stories in their own way.
What’s your story?
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Photo: Flickr/greg westfall