Good Storytelling is Engaging and Entertaining

Story 1:

“I was about 16 at the time. Because It was summer, the weather was hot outside. My friend had just picked me up in his car. We were still sitting in the driveway when it happened.

All of the sudden, I had this sudden and strong urge to sneeze. Since it was summer, I assumed that my window was down. My thought was that I’d just sneeze out the window. The thought was short-lived because the feeling became overwhelming. I knew it was time.

Without warning, I spun my head to the right. My intention was to stick my head out the window and sneeze. So, with all my force, I shoved my head forward. This would ensure I sneezed well beyond the door of the car. Unfortunately, for my nose, I didn’t realize that the window was still up. Instead of sneezing out the window, I slammed face first into the glass. When I sneezed, everything that I had hoped to go out the car was now all over the window. It was painful but hilarious. We both laughed out loud.”

Story 2:

“I sneezed into the window of my friend’s car, one summer, when I was 16. I thought it was open, but it wasn’t. It hurt, but we still laughed.”

In the two stories above, I have actually told the same story. A true story, by the way. One that I told my children not too long ago. I don’t know how long they laughed for, but it was a while.

I could’ve told it to them like story two. Both ways would’ve been correct, as far as the substance is concerned. The second way would have been more direct and to the point. But that wouldn’t have achieved my intended goal. Which was to make my wife and kids laugh.

Why was one way more entertaining than the other?

So, why was the first story better than the second? Because it had more words? No.

It was because I took the time to elaborate. To explain what was happening. I was creating word pictures for my audience.

Although it cannot be seen from the writing, I used voice inflections throughout the story as I told it. There’s nothing worse than trying to listen to someone speak in a monotone voice.

Had I spoken the first story, in a monotone voice, it might have received a chuckle. Maybe. Though, it would’ve been a struggle to get through, for both the speaker and listener.

When speaking, it’s a lot easier to engage an audience through inflections. It automatically piques the interest of someone when there’s a change. The use of voice inflections must be used appropriately though. Too much and you might as well be speaking in a monotone voice.

Before I continue, there’s a few things that I’d like to point out. Notice, I didn’t describe what I was wearing. I didn’t describe my skin color, hair color, or even the make of my friend’s car. Nor did I describe the color of my house.

Whether or not they could see me telling the story was also irrelevant. That’s because none of that information was pertinent to it anyway. When telling a story, too much detail is a bad thing. You want the reader/hearer to use their imagination to fill in the missing pieces.

Before COVID-19 hit the world, my wife and I used to go down to the local jail. We would have Bible study with the inmates. When I spoke, I always used scriptures from the Bible.

Don’t just read the words.

In order to provide context, rather than just read the words though, I explained what would’ve been happening during the time of the writing. How it would’ve been perceived by the hearers.

Additionally, as I was speaking, I would use real-life examples throughout. I used the examples in a story format. Because I was in person, I liked to casually walk around the room as I spoke. This ensured that the audience was moving their heads as I walked around.

I knew there was no need of them falling asleep. But it was good to keep eye contact with the audience. This kept them engaged.

When writing, we can use italics and bold to provide some inflection. Though it’s not the same.

So, how do we overcome that? By using extra expressive words. Just like in speaking, we can create word pictures in the minds of the reader.

When using words, think of how you can immerse the reader into a painting. As an exercise, look at a picture or painting. Now, imagine that you were describing that picture to a blind person.

How would you describe subject/main character?

What color or features are in the background? What is the subject of the picture/painting? Is the subject alone or with something/someone else? Is there an interaction or action occurring? Dark or light? Inside or outside? If the subject has a face, what’s their expression?

Once you have a thorough description of it, now put it in an organized format. The main subject/character needs to be in the first sentence or two.

In the example, the main character, myself, is identified at the very beginning.

Next was the situation. This might also be referred to as the plot.

Additional characters are added as the story progresses. The closer they are to the main subject, the earlier in the story they are revealed.

In a normal story, there is also a climax. This is the high point of the story.

When describing a photo, describing the climax could be challenging. Especially since not all pictures have a climax. If and when that’s the case, attempt to put enough detail into the story. Make sure not to overdo it though.

If the picture is of a boat on the ocean. If the seas are rough, that is important to add. Just as if the seas were calm. If the sales are up, that’s important to note. However, we don’t need to know the number of sails. Unless there are only one, two, or three. Anymore than that, you could surmise it to say, “numerous sails.”

The reason why the smaller numbers are important, is because small boats typically only have one or two sails. Whereas many mid-sized vessels typically have two to three sails. Distinguishing that number could help further describe it.

Any more than three, and you’re referring to larger vessels.

How would you describe the mood?

If there appears to be a mood, describe it. Usually, darker colors mean a more somber or angry mood. Whereas lighter colors seem to be happier.

If the subject is a person, describe their facial features. Do they look angry? Happy? Sad?

Skin color and hair color are not necessary for the story. Often times, it’s better without them. That way the hearing/reader can imagine for themselves.

Remember, you want to create word pictures. But you also want them to use their imagination. Giving too much detail can hurt the story. Allow the hearer/reader to input themselves into the story.