Captivated…

This week I’ve been reflecting on my motivation for becoming a storyteller.  From an early age I’ve always been captivated by storytellers and their ability to weave a good yarn, while keeping the reader or listener fully engaged.  My favourite aspect is being able to imagine the scene and all of the moving parts within the story while unconsciously being connecting to my emotions to the storyline in some way.   This is the true artistry of a real storyteller on full display when they can transport me to this place mentally and emotionally.

As a writer is this is easier said than done!

I think part of the art is being able to paint enough visual context to see the imagery in my mind’s eye.  When I lived in Toronto I often listened to Stuart McLean and his hit radio show/podcast the Vinyl Cafe.  This piece of Canadiana was one of my motivating factors early in my writing career and attribute Stuart to helping me find my voice as a storyteller.

He was a legend of storytelling and often still listen to re-runs of the Vinyl Cafe when I’m on my way to a photoshoot or on a long drive somewhere on Spotify.  His ability to bring colour to a story, make it relatable and connect my emotions in a way that few have been able to do.  Perhaps it was his great storyteller voice that enriched the stories, but I think deep down he just had a way about him of spinning a great yarn…

Even though Stuart passed away in 2017 from advanced melanoma his legacy still lives on within me and I dare say within hundreds of other storytellers across Canada, and perhaps the world who he captivated and motivated through the richness of his stories.

He truly was a legend in the world of storytelling and one that is sorely missed.  His long-time editor Jess Milton has a podcast series where she brings to life some of Stuarts best stories and engages with the audience to share some of their stories.  The podcast series is called “Backstage at the Vinyl Cafe” and definitely worth a listen to (see the link above to the Vinyl Cafe).

I think we all know when we hear a great story, one that his relatable and that draws on the myriad of emotions welling just under the surface of our everyday lives.  These stories make us laugh out loud as they are generally so relatable and can see yourself doing something similar, or make you cry with moments filled with empathy and pathos.

The beauty of Stuart’s work was that it was both written and via radio/podcast so you can hear his voice, the inflections and pauses that made it so relatable.  Perhaps this is partly due to the resonance of his voice and the seemingly effortless manner in which he told a story.

I am similarly captivated by a number of other storytellers, albeit via their written word. Before Stuart came into my life, I loved the stories that John Irving wrote, but what cemented it most for me was going to one of his readings in Toronto.  He sat on stage on a simple chair under a spotlight and read for over an hour, captivating me and the entire audience (packed house) at the University of Toronto with the richness of his characters in his stories.

His work often includes offbeat characters with idiosyncrasies that are both loveable yet weirdly flawed.  Perhaps I can relate in many ways to being the outsider looking in as with many of his characters.  Personally, never in the popular crowd I observed from the outside and have, over the years become a student of body language and the unwritten nuances of people and the stories floating about them.

Not so surprisingly, I’ve always got stories brewing in my mind which I have to place on hold while I finish one story before jumping into another.  Otherwise, I’d never finish a story or publish anything…

Also if you’ve been following my weekly essays you’ll know that I also love the stories from Paul Coelho de Souza the brilliant Brazilian novelist and author of more than 20 major works including – The Alchemist, The Zahir and Aleph.

The thing I admire most about Coelho’s work is that he simplifies the themes of his stories and is able to bring them to light in simple terms.  His works are written in his native Portuguese and translated but little is lost in the fabric of his storytelling.  Of course, my favourite work of his is The Alchemist and the underlying parable about what is important in life and your ability to conjure it up using your mind.  Yes, you are indeed your own Alchemist!

My final storyteller that I want to add to this impressive list is Michael Palin.  Many of you may know him from his days in Monty Python, Ripping Yarns or the film “A fish called Wanda”.  Over the years he’s captivated me with his ability to tell stories through his extensive travel including his television series – Himalaya, Around the world in 80 days, Pole to Pole and Sahara to name just a few.

Maybe it’s his ability to not only tell the stories but live them as he goes… such an adventurer!  Check all three of these incredible storytellers out if you have a moment to spare, you won’t be disappointed.

Until next week.

Ciao!