What’s YOUR Story?

A couple of months ago, I attended a storytelling festival in my old college town, and it was an engaging, creatively invigorating experience. Usually, this festival is held under a big tent on the shores of a picturesque lake, but remnants of a strong weather system cancelled those plans. Instead, the event was moved to an inside venue, but the power of storytelling was still on display.

A series of talented storytellers told every type of story imaginable. Some stories were funny, while others were serious. Some tellers waxed poetic about events from their past, and others entertained with fairytales and folklore. A couple of the performers combined music with stories.

It was truly a smorgasbord of creativity, and I was fascinated by the talent on display. Beyond that, I was inspired to work on my own stories, both written and oral. I even participated in the “open mic” portion and shared one of my pieces.

Good storytelling is universal and covers both areas. Writers are storytellers, whether they produce fiction or nonfiction. Engaging stories capture our imagination and keep us listening or reading.

I am a writer, but I have done my share of storytelling performances as well. Before my most recent performance, I prayed my audience would be entertained AND inspired. That may seem a strange thing to pray, but isn’t that our goal?

If you are a Christian/inspirational writer, you have a message to get across, but I think it helps if that message is entertaining. Many of the stories I heard at the festival were highly entertaining but had a strong message behind the smiles and laughs. That’s what I want in my stories, whether I’m telling them to a live audience or committing them to paper (or a computer screen) and then releasing them to unknown readers.

What’s your story? Whatever it is—tell it! Your audience is waiting.

Carlton Hughes, represented by Cyle Young of Hartline Literary, wears many hats. By day, he is a professor of communication. On Wednesday evenings and Sunday mornings, he serves as a children’s pastor. In his “spare time,” he is a freelance writer. Carlton is an empty-nesting dad and devoted husband who likes long walks on the beach, old sitcoms, and chocolate—all the chocolate. His work has been featured in Chicken Soup for the Soul: The Dating Game, The Wonders of Nature, Let the Earth Rejoice, Just Breathe, So God Made a Dog, and Everyday Grace for Men. His latest book is Adventures in Fatherhood, co-authored with Holland Webb