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The Importance of a Storytelling Community

Reuniting with my storytelling friends this week reminded of how easy it is to take a strong storytelling community for granted. South Mountain Community College Storytelling Institute, Phoenix, AZ, provides a safe environment for learning and telling stories. Founders Lorraine Calbow, Ricardo Provencio, Liz Warren, and LynnAnn Wojiechowicz have developed a challenging academic certificate program that taught me the basics of storytelling as well as provided me an opportunity to serve as adjunct faculty for the program. 

 
I participated in East Valley Tellers of Tales, Amigos, and even attended guild meetings on the west side of town. Sean Buvala of www.storyteller.net  led additional workshops that taught me about marketing and growing a business. I was able to tell at the Mesa Storytelling Festival, Pine Storytelling Festival, and various events at South Mountain Community College. This comfort zone of telling taught me much about the art of storytelling, but would I be able to apply my skills outside of that environment?
 
Leaving my comfort zone was the hardest challenge I have yet to face as a teller. Yet, establishing myself as a professional storyteller in rural Indiana has put all of my learning to the test. 
 
What does a storyteller do when there are no regular events, classes to take, and other tellers with whom to network? 
 
  1. Regularly communicate with other tellers through social media, email, and teleconferencing.
  2. Find a class through an online university, national teller, or www.storyteller.net that will stretch the mind and encourage personal growth.
  3. Create a venue for storytelling events, offer a local telebration, or offer workshops at the local library.
 
By following these steps, I have been able to mature as a teller, market myself as a professional in the field, and create a business that continues to grow. The responsibility I have now is nurturing those who are looking to me as a mentor. I am now creating a comfort zone of telling for others to enjoy. 
 
 
 
Follow Carol Knarr at Facebook (carol.knarr), Twitter (@cknarr), www.carolknarr.com, and www.storyteller.net. Carol Knarr is presently the resident storyteller of Kosciusko County Visitors Bureau, Warsaw, IN.