Posts from — January 2005

I know I’m behind on my blog of the day feature. Please bear with me, I have been extremely busy with my business ventures. Busy and still broke. It’s going to pay off in the future, I’m sure of it. Anyways, I found this interesting article on ezinearticles.com that I felt compelled to share with you guys. Enjoy. One more thing, please visit my advertisers, that’s what helps keep food in my stomach. I really appreciate it.

10 Laws of Great Storytelling
By Aneeta Sundararaj

Law #1: Keep your mouth shut and your ears open.

This is crucial in the first few moments of storytelling. Before you begin your story, take a moment. Look at your audience and smile at them. Only after you have got their attention do you begin to even introduce yourself and your topic. You will be able to observe many things about your audience in these few moments.

Law #2: Begin your story with a question.

Have you ever noticed how everyone perks up when the speaker begins by asking something like, “Is everyone feeling good today?” or “How many people want to hear a good story?”

This technique of asking a question first, engages the audience even further and helps you connect with your audience.

Law #3: This is your first meeting with your audience.

Show that you are curious about them. Make them excited about themselves first. When you learn who your audience is and what they are interested in you will be able to tailor your story to them and, therefore, keep them interested throughout your talk.

Law #4: Speak to your audience just as you speak to your family or friends.

This is perhaps easier to say than to do – remember that they are only human. They are not menacing and really, they only want to learn from you and your story. Even in a professional presentation, the purpose of the presentation is to show others in your ‘audience’ what it is you can offer them. Speak normally and politely as you would to your friends.

Law #5: What is your audience not saying.

Are members of your audience fidgeting and fussing? If you notice this, then perhaps it might be in your interest to take a moment, and say something like, “You know, if this is not a good time for you, then maybe we could do this another day. I will be telling this again on Wednesday, so you’re welcome to join us then.”
Most of the time, those who are really pressed for time will be so grateful that they will appreciate this concern you show them and return for more.

Law #6: If someone asks you a question then answer it briefly or …

When someone in the audience asks you a question when you are in the middle of your story, answer them but limit your answer to no more than 1 minute. If you exceed this, then others in your audience will think that rather than you telling your story, you are more interested in debating the issue with this one person. An easy way to get back to your story is to say, “I will answer all questions at the end of this talk.”

Law #7: Who are you talking to?

Do you know your audience?

I once listened to a storyteller who so enjoyed the sound of his own voice and debated the issues in Cinderella with himself that it was only about twenty minutes later when he heard a loud snore from the back of the room did he realise that his audience, a group of six to ten year olds, had absolutely no idea what he was saying. He was stuck in his ‘auto-pilot’ mode that he did not realise that his audience would never understand what he was saying. You must know who is in your audience before you even begin to tell your story.

Law #8: When telling your story verbally, always be brief.

Notice how lectures/seminars/storytelling sessions are always no more than one hour sessions. This is because that is the normal attention span of most people. Now when you have a story that spans over many, many hours, break them up into sections and leave a little for another day.

Law #9: Always remember to take a break when storytelling.

This is very important because you need to know if your audience understands the story so far. If they don’t here’s your chance to clear the air. It is also a chance to re-connect with the audience. When to take a break or have a pause? Usually in a one hour speech, it is wise to take a break every 20 minutes or so.

Law #10: Invite your audience to participate in the storytelling.

One of my fondest memories is that of watching a play called ‘Son of Man’, many years ago. It was the story of Jesus Christ and really one that I had seen played out in different ways before. This one stands out in my memory simply because there was, at the end of the whole play, ‘audience participation’. The ‘disciples’ of Christ, began to invite people from the audience onto the stage. I was one of them. I am no actor and said nothing but formed the crowd that was to listen to Christ speak. That was all; but being involved in this story, made it all the more special and that experience was wonderful.

In conclusion, as a storyteller, if you can get your audience to understand the story, become a part of it and thereafter connect with the characters, you’re well on your way to becoming an outstanding storyteller.

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Aneeta Sundararaj, a storyteller, is the creator of the bestselling program “How To Tell A Great Story”. Aneeta’s technique and famed “R.P.I. Principle”© has been used by many people and offers simple, cutting-edge strategies applicable universally. She is also the author of two ‘traditional’ books The Banana Leaf Men and Mad Heaven: the biography of Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Dr. M. Mahadevan. Visit http://www.howtotellagreatstory.com to learn more.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/

Book Review
Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books
Dawn Josephson, Ground Rules Press, retails at $19.95, but if you purchase it by clicking on the link in the sidebar, you can get it at a lower price. This book is also available at bookstores.

Many authors think that once their book is published, their work is done. On the contrary, their work is just beginning. If they want the public to notice their book, authors have to promote it and that takes a lot of time and effort. But where do they begin? In her new instructional guidebook, Putting It On Paper: The Ground Rules for Creating Promotional Pieces that Sell Books, promotional writing expert Dawn Josephson explains the critical, yet often overlooked first step in developing a book marketing campaign-creating the book media kit.

Josephson begins by helping authors realize the importance of developing a book marketing campaign. She then goes on to explain why creating a media kit is essential for success. Not only does she explain why a media kit is important, but she also takes her explanation a step farther by showing readers how to create a media kit that will generate the results every author desires. A media kit acts as a book’s resume, she says, and if the “resume” looks impressive, it will draw more attention to the book.

Josephson’s down-to-earth and sometimes even humorous approach to creating a media kit puts readers at ease and makes what can seem like a daunting task enjoyable. Through Frequently Asked Questions, Real-Life Samples, and Key Points, Josephson successfully answers every question an author may have about creating a media kit. She even includes templates that authors can customize to fit their needs. Her instructions for creating powerful promotional pieces are thorough and detailed, allowing authors to easily put the given ground rules and strategies into action immediately.

In Putting It On Paper, readers learn that a media kit is sent out to three primary groups of people: 1) The Media, 2) Book Distributors, and 3) Individual Bookstores. Josephson explains that although each kit should contain the same basic components, it should also be customized to meet the needs of the specific group to whom it is sent. The elements that she recommends including in a press kit are a cover letter, a press release, a mock book review, an author bio, a sell sheet, a catalog sheet, a chachki (give-away) item, and an article. Each of these clements is significant and will give the target reader the information he/she needs.

Sharing insider secrets and giving plenty of helpful advice, Josephson teaches readers how to write like a promotional pro. With the lips and ground rules given in this book, authors can confidently begin a book marketing campaign that will yield great results. Armed with a new media kit and the knowledge of how to effectively update it through months of promotion, they will be able to follow any promotional program with resounding success.

Dawn Josephson, founder and president of’ Cameo Publications, is an editor, ghostwriter, and idea development consultant. She helps professional speakers, business leaders, and non-fiction authors maximize their exposure and increase their recognition through the printed word. Dawn got her first piece published at age 8. Today, she has over 1,000 published articles and 14 published books to add to her list of accomplishments.

recorder
event
observant
dreamland

I needed a way to broadcast my music
So I bought a tape recorder.
That worked just fine,
but now I needed something people could order.

The World Wide Web was full of information
that should help me with this quest
I decided that maybe I needed a radio station

Then I woke up out of my dreamland and realized I was supposed to be planning an event.
Okay well I’m stuck and can’t think of anything else to say.
I guess I’ll finish this rhyme another day.

I realized that I hadn’t done much writing last month compared to the frenzy of nanowrimo. That shows me that I need deadlines. So I have decided to type something in this blog every day even if it is rubbish and has no rhyme or reason to it. Truthfully I have been very distracted since I have no idea what has become of my boyfriend. He was here last week for the holidays. We went out on christmas eve and i haven’t heard nor seen him since. I keep seeing that he’s online with messenger, but then he doesn’t respond to my ims. I was trying not to rehash this point again, but if i don’t get it off my chest i won’t be able to write anything at all. Okay it’s off of my chest. I still don’t know where he is, but I just hope nothing bad has happened to him. Well I’m going to attempt to write something and pass it off as literature or poetry.

01/02/05 8:15 AM Service
Speaker Bro. Howard Wright
Topic: This Year Will Be Different
Scripture: Phil 3:10-14

emph. on v.10

Christians always have room for improvement.
If nothing changes nothing changes

Change isn’t made simple just because you acknowledge it.

Change requires three things:
Commitment
Dedication
Persistence

Persistence
Our attitude holds us back.
We need to change the way we think.
Norman Vincent Peale once said “Change your thoughts and you can change your world”
Romans 12

Rise above positive thinker to action oriented thinker
Be Here Now-Education quote/buzzword
Stay in the moment

Paul was about action
Christians ought to want to do right for Jesus/yourself

Romans 12:20

When you don’t pray you’re not ready for the fight.

I know I am wearing 20 million hats but I have got to find a way to do what I need to do and go to bed earlier. I can’t stay up till 2 in the morning every night. That is just not healthy.

I just felt like taking this opportunity to point out that Duke is undefeated and Carolina isn’t!! Whoo Hoo!!