Have you ever said this to yourself? I can tell stories just like the professionals - as a matter of fact I am a good storyteller. All I need is a chance, a big break, an audience to hear me and they would realize that I am as good as anyone on stage. If I did that, I would be booked solid for storytelling events. I do not know if you ever thought that, but I sure did!
More that forty years ago, I studied music and planned a career as a concert pianist. I thought I was good and all I had to do was complete college as a piano major, then take advanced studies with the concert master and announce I was ready to perform; and any day now someone from Carnegie Hall would be calling me. Well, hello Doug! It did not happen that way. Careers do not happen overnight. A career is not a destination — it is a journey, an ongoing journey. I have found that a career, as a professional storyteller, is kind of like making a pot of stew. You don't just make stew - it just accumulates as you add things to the pot.
Developing a career as a storyteller, or a concert pianist for that matter, requires certain elements to make it successful. The first thing is the desire to do it and a belief in yourself. Then it takes dedication and persistence. Talent helps, but it takes promotion of your talent. People have to know you are available. A career without promotion is like winking at a girl in the dark—you know what you are doing but no one else does. Becoming a member of the Alabama Storytelling Association is a great step in letting people know what you are doing and that you are available. It also lets you know what is happening in the world of storytelling.
If you are sitting around waiting for opportunity to come, it will never come. Opportunities show up when you least expect them. When an opportunity arrives to not put up a sign that says, "Busy come back later". If you do that opportunity may never come around again. Part of success is being able to recognize opportunity. Always remember, that everything that glitters in not gold. Be yourself and if that opportunity fits into what you believe; jump into it with everything you have.
Not everyone who enjoys telling stories wants to be a professional. Some do it just for fun and you are to be applauded for pursuing your passion. The greatest storyteller I ever met was on old gentlemen who sat on the front porch of my grandfather's country store. Gently whittling on a piece of wood with his pocket knife, knee deep in cedar shaving and holding everyone spellbound as he told stories all afternoon. This man could not read or write, he signed his name with an "X". This man was what we call a "natural born storyteller". Perhaps you too are a natural born storyteller. Do not keep it to yourself even if you do not have a desire to be a professional. Tell stories at any "open mike" event. It can be a great hobby; the audience will let you know how much they enjoyed your story. Storytelling is a great pleasure - take a piece of it for yourself!