Step Four – Share Your Story with the community from page to performance

Chapter Seven: A creative writing exercise to perform your story

We have reached the the third part of you hero’s journey. This is the part where you bring back what you have learned and share your story with the community. Remember, the Romans are trying to stamp out all memory of Boudica. Your story will make sure her legend lives on and will be told by generations of future Storytellers.

There are many ways to tell stories. One of them is through writing on the page – this is what you have been doing and I hope you will continue your writing after the workshop. Other types of story-telling may include acting, dance, illustration, music, film and spoken storytelling. Spoken storytelling as a performance is one of the most ancient and beautifully simple forms of storytelling.

Imagine your audience are sitting around a camp fire. You are about to regale tales of your adventure with Boudica. How will you draw your listener in with spoken words? An interesting way to start your story as a performance is to ask then answer a question.

Choose a sentence you have written. This can be any sentence.

I’m scared but my friends help me to overcome my fears and find my courage.

Turn this sentence into question to ask your audience.

Have you ever?

Have you ever slept in forests dark surrounded by wolves? Have you marched through fields and charged into battle? Have you ever wondered what the secret is to finding your courage?

Now answer your questions.

Let me tell you.

Let me tell you what the secret is. It’s not fancy swords or shields. It’s not money. It’s not power. The secret to finding your courage is friendship.

Continue to think about ways you can perform your story after this workshop. Will you draw, dance, paint, play music?