Putting storytelling under the microscope

Michael Burns of Tall Tales is reaching out to a new audience through the tradition of sharing and performing personal stories in front of a live audience. "When one talks of storytelling, our minds are attuned to immediately think of children. That's because we have come to believe that storytelling is meant for kids! But it is meant for everyone-it is actually in our social DNA as a species," says the storyteller editor and curator who has set out to reconnect adults with the art of storytelling.

What started out, way back in April 2013, as a way to bring people together informally and share personal, non-fiction stories, has been responsible for bringing together nearly a hundred live storytellers over the course of two dozen shows in the last 18 months. "India has had a rich storytelling culture, which is absent in the urban context. There have been a couple of popular groups like the Open Mic, which encouraged people to tell their stories. But none of these efforts are really thriving in the city at the moment," adds Burns.

The practice of stepping on stage and telling your story is exciting but at Tall Tales, participants are invited to submit their stories and then work with a story coach to improve it. That's where Burns fits in. "The discoveries we make together are often some of the most rewarding moments for those who share their stories with us." The goal is a beautifully, well-crafted and tantalizingly dramatic story.

In the age of social networking—where friendships are made via a computer screen—people seemed to have neglected the pleasure of direct experience. As kids, we were read bedtime stories, but with age we seem to have lost the knack. Tall Tales invites participants to submit their live, personal, non-fiction stories, which last between eight to fifteen minutes and are approximately 1500 words long. "There are different types of storytellers. Some have the story in their head, others just have a brief outline and there are few who have their stories written down," enthuses Burns, "No matter what the format of the story is, I see it as our job to bring out the best in them, to make the words and images come alive."

On an average, Tall Tales receive 15-30 submissions every month out of which they pick out the strongest five. The shortlisted candidates are informed and we set out to work on the stories. Some tales need to be condensed, others need to be edited or expanded. There are times when participants have overlooked a couple of vital points. The reworking process lasts anywhere from a week to a couple of months, after which the story is usually more focused and oriented towards a core idea.

For Burns, the process lets him meet new people and make new friends. "Through their stories, participants share something personal; they share their secrets. That lets you bond better with these people," quips Burns. "Deep honesty is one of the secrets and the stories that are not chosen were the ones that weren't particularly honest," he admits.

According to Burns, the delivery of a successful story depends on the depth of its honesty. While his master class delves into the six factors that make an average story extraordinary, there's one advice he offers to westcoast readers. "One indispensable element is 'Conviction', which doesn't only mean passion, energy and intensity. You got to believe in your story with all your heart. For example, through the emotions in your voice, you can reach out to the audience. The more you connect with your story, the more the audience will connect with it. When you step on stage, you shouldn't think of getting through with the story and getting off the stage. Conviction is massively contagious and is an essential ingredient to truly unforgettable storytelling."

At Tall Tales all age groups are welcome. But most submissions are received from people in the age group of 25. "We'd love to get even more stories from older people and non- English speakers," he says.

For more information, log on to http://talltales.in/"http://talltales.in/ or visit their facebook page /www.facebook.com/talltalesstorytelling