July 21-24, 2016 The National Storytelling Conference will be held in Kansas City MO. The host organization is the National Storytelling Network. www.storynet.org their twitter handle is @nsnstorycon There will be a steady update of happenings from the National Conference where storytellers from around the country and even a few from around the world will gather. I’m filled with anticipation as I prepare to journey to Kansas City to share my workshop on collecting and telling historical family stories. My Roots are Showing, this great play on words, not a reminder of my status as a family elder, but that I am the one carrying the family stories forward.
If we don’t continue to share the stories that shaped our families and in turn our nation then our future generations won’t know what brought us to where we are now. How can they understand WWII in depth if they haven’t heard of a family members heroic deeds. Where can they go to find information on a freedom fighter of the Civil War era. How did Grandma rock the 60’s? We need to collect these stories and save them.
You may never be a professional storyteller. You might feel crushed at the thought of standing before an audience, but do you think you could own the front porch rocker with a Grandchild on your knee? Of course you can! What will make your story incredible is hearing it from you! My workshop will lead you through the story development. You know the basic story, now let’s dress it up to go out! We are adding all the pieces that flesh out the story for our listeners or for pen and paper.
Do you have a family memento, that funny souvenir or a photo old and yellowed that tells a part of the story? We can use those items to help delve into your story and expand our research and personal connection. Don’t just leave an item to the next generation leave the story that goes with it. Your best inheritance gift is the story! You could record your story as a living legacy. You can write the story or just tell the family at an event.
If the family stories are sequestered in an elders memories it is time to begin the harvest! I have prompts and tips to help them begin the download of your family history. My workshop will set you on course to collect, verify, research and share the treasures that are your family history as told in narrative form.
Come to the National Storytelling Networks’ Conference and delve into story as you have never imagined! Listen, share, attend a workshop, learn teach, network. This is a happening place and a dynamic group. All you need to know to sign up for my workshop or one of the many others, or to attend performances is at this website http://www.storynet.org/conference/index.html
Saturday July 23, 2016 at 1:45 p.m.
My Roots Are Showing; Collecting and Telling Family Stories
I hope to see you there!
Kansas City Marriott, Country Club Plaza
Kansas City, Missouri
