White Sparrow Coaching

Storytelling may seem like linguistic alchemy, but don’t panic! It’s more baking soda-and-vinegar-level science than you think. I’ll break it down into 4 steps:

1. Decide on a subject. Some memories easily stand out as funny or insightful, but others are more opaque. If you’re looking for inspiration, as an example, start with your core values and think about the Reason you chose them. You likely pulled them from a larger number of words/phrases; compare and contrast the ones you selected and the ones that missed the mark. What about those words in particular makes them important to you?

2. Hash out the details. Collecting the facts around your story can start as basic as answering all of the wh- questions (who, what, where, when, why… and how for good measure!). Remember, you’re drafting here, so things can meander and ramble and branch off to infinity without judgment. This is the perfect space to be jumbled.
   
3. Find your reactant. In chemistry, a reactant is “a substance that takes part in and undergoes change during a reaction” (thanks Lexico!)  In storytelling, it’s what makes a moment memorable. What was surprising, meaningful, or poignant about the subject you chose? What brought about the change? What stands out to you, and why? If it has stuck in your mind, it will likely stick with your audience, too. Don’t worry if you’re missing a flourish of adjectives – you can add them in later. 

4. Tell the story. Once you’ve compiled those things, it’s time to put them together into a cohesive, retell-able narrative. Remember, not every story has to turn lead into gold. Let’s be honest – baking soda and vinegar volcanoes are legit! If you’re not sure where to start, try presenting things in chronological order. Use a friend, colleague, or coach to give you feedback. This is especially helpful for repairing breakdowns caused by missing or unclear details.

As you can see, there is a lot of prep work that goes into telling a good story. Part of what makes the process seem so magical is that great storytellers have repeated this sequence many – many!! –  times, and have often streamlined their process. Sticking to these steps, and a formula (like the RAFT Method) ensures you’ll stay focused and write things faster.