Volume 4, Issue 17 - 31 October 2007

For the online version of this newsletter, click here

Dear [FIRSTNAME],

Thank you for the many messages of support you've all sent. I've listed some on them in sidebar. However, can I please ask that you send any comments you may have to editor@howtotellagreatstory.com and not by replying to this email. Sometimes I do not have the contact details of the person who sent the email when it's forwarded to me and I cannot reply with my own message of thanks.

It's precisely what happened when I received two messages from two subscribers who sent in queries. Nevertheless, to the person who asked whether I could recommend someone to polish his/her work for the purposes of presenting it to a publisher, please write back as I have some information. For the person who asked about theories of storytelling, please look at the resources I've listed in terms of books and so on throughout the website. If nothing still helps, then, please write back to me and I'll see what I can do.

The winner of a copy of A Twist of Fate by Graeme Houston is Candice Snyman. Candice, please contact Graeme at graeme.s.houston@gmail.com to claim your copy of his ebook. I have nothing to offer for this edition's contest. So, if you have a book you'd like to offer, please send me an email with more information.

New pieces have been listed in Jack's Fables, Infosynthesis and StoryAsia. There are also new announcements sent in under Tell Everyone About.

I hope you enjoy the information shared.

Do you tell stories before you bury the dead in your locality or culture? By this I mean, the obituary announcements, promos on burial arrangements, ceremonies and all.

Sail the Storyteller's World - interview with Roy E Schreiber

Excerpts ...

Living so close to the ocean, I learned to swim, surf and sail before I could drive.  Sailing has a particular attraction for me because each time out can be anything from relaxing to adventurous.  Until I get out on the water, I have no way of telling.  Over time I’ve gotten reasonably good at handling sailboats of anything from ten to fifty feet in length, but as a racing skipper, I’ve never had the talent to compete successfully.  That is part of the reason William Bligh attracted me.  Although he was undoubtedly a difficult and unpleasant person, he could do things with a sailboat that were truly breathtaking, things I will never be able to do.  So I write about him doing them instead.

Storyteller's Notes - interview with Eva Pasco

Excerpts ...

Aneeta: As you know, this website caters for storytellers. What advice would you give those who would like to take this art seriously?

Eva: Persevere.  Writing is not for the faint of heart.  After “The End,” the writer’s arduous journey to go public begins with the task of finding a suitable  publisher.  I’d like to take this moment to thank my publisher, Jonathan Womack of Charles River Press, who recognized the potential in a fledgling writer, and fanned the wind beneath my wings.

Spirit of a Storyteller - interview with Matt Jones a.k.a. Sitting Bear

Excerpts ...

Aneeta: I am not very familiar with Native American stories, I admit. But, I found it interesting that your purpose is to demonstrate how white government officials and bureaucrats have imposed the Anglo point of view on Native Americans to the detriment of the Indian's achievement and self-esteem. Can you then please give me an example of how you do this … a story, perhaps?

Matt:  OK, I will tell you about Miarke tahhunshe (Big Soldier).  Miarke tahhunshe rujirara chi kigra chigi ikunnyi.  e^e wanashe wahtohtana.  Oh, I’m sorry I will translate the story about Big Soldier.

Scorpio's Child

Excerpts ...

Scorpios get a lot of bad press.  They are vindictive, mean, and obsessed with sex.  That’s not really fair.  Scorpio rules the house of sharing.  They are the stewards of sharing money, resources, love, and yes sharing each other’s bodies.  It is their deepest most spiritual need to be completely connected, loved, and sharing from the depth of their soul.  It is from this place that they are so easily hurt.  Wounded Scorpios are a force to be reckoned with and yes, they are famously ruthless and cruel.  How do you keep your own Scorpio child from becoming obsessive and mean?