Three steps to writing a story for the stage

My least favourite way to be introduced is, “This is Marsha, she’s a professional storyteller!”

I always jump in quickly with the correction, “—Storytelling Coach”. There’s a good reason for that.

**In Toronto this Tues? Come see if I actually DO barf!**

As a storytelling coach (please pretend for a moment I’m not British or Canadian and don’t expect humility), I am excellent. Part of how I can say this with confidence is because I don’t totally know how I do it — my brain just constructs people’s stories for me in a way that works. The other reason I say this is from 13 years of doing it, and people telling me (or telling me how hard the audience cried when listening to their talk).

But actually being the storyteller? Not so much.

Don’t get me wrong — I’m fine. When it comes to actual keynotes or teaching-style talks, I’m great! But as a storyteller who is just telling a story on stage, I’m… average. Which is why I don’t do it very often.

BUT for reasons I can’t totally fathom, I have agreed to tell a story on stage this coming Tuesday in Toronto. And I am terrified. It’s a brand new story I’ve never told before — about my cousin, someone I’ve literally never even spoken about in public.

Other than feeling sick and questioning my life choices, here’s what I’m doing to prepare:

1) A VOMIT DRAFT

I learned this phrase from [my memoir-writing teacher/hero] Marion Roach Smith. It’s when you just put EVERYTHING down on the page (or, in my case, muttered out loud to myself, because that’s my process for writing talks and stories). I learned from my copywriter and friend Rachel that the part of your brain you use for writing is different from the part of your brain you use for editing, so you LITERALLY CANNOT DO BOTH AT THE SAME TIME. Plus, it’s always easier to cut down than it is to beef up.

So step one is: get EVERYTHING OUT.

2) THE KEY QUESTION

Before you write or tell any story, you need to ask yourself:

What is the point I’m trying to get across with this story?

Sometimes that point is some big, esoteric thing — in my case, that might be “You might think you know someone but you don’t”. But also, it’s often a practical thing. I can’t tell you what mine is for this story (I don’t want to throw in a spoiler!), but in other stories that could look like:

I used to be closeted and worried about what people think and now I’m not

My mum lived with me in the last year of her life which was also the first year of my baby’s

I fell in love, got mostly dumped but then thought it would be a good idea to surprise my girlfriend in her home city on the other side of the world

(side note, these are all stories I’ve coached, if you want to check my credentials!)

So, that’s step two: ask, what is the point I’m trying to get across with this story?

3) WEEDING

This is when you look at each part of the vomit draft, and start asking yourself, “Do I NEED-need this part to get across the answer to my key question?”

If the answer is no, cut it. If it’s a REALLY GOOD bit, save it and use it somewhere else.

For example, the story I’m telling on Tuesday is about the end of my cousin’s life. There is SO MUCH that led up to it! But all I need for context is to get across is what my relationship to him was. So what are 1-3 details or “action scenes” that can illustrate those without too many words?

I need to figure that out, then go through every other part of my vomit draft and ask myself what MUST stay in, and what can go (or go somewhere else).

The show is this coming Tuesday and I’m only at the vomit draft stage (also, sorry I keep saying “vomit”). The show won’t be live-streamed but, if you’re in Toronto (or know someone who is), it’s happening at the Tranzac this Tues at 7:30pm, details here: talestoronto.com

Ok, now your turn: what have you ever signed up for that made you want to vomit? And if it’s already happened, HOW DID IT GO????

Let me know in the comments below!

You rule!

xx (Yes Yes) Marsha

PS if you’re here for the speaking/presentation advice, you can get my Ultimate Keynote Template, here: YesYesMarsha.com/Template

PPS Want me to help you make sure your next talk, presentations or keynote is AMAZING? Or do you work somewhere that might want to bring me in to run a training on writing excellent presentations or storytelling? I’d love to! Book in a free chat here: yesyesmarsha.com/call

PPPS want my free guide to the magic bullet for captivating storytelling, along with free coaching via email on storytelling and writing captivating presentations? Join the Yes Yes Family — it’s FREE! Just pop your details in below and I’ll ship the guide over**:

**you can unsubscribe whenever you like because, clearly, I am not the boss of you