All Blog Posts (38)

I had never heard of Chesterville, Ohio before 1987, but I found my purpose sitting there in that tiny town hall.  I was full of shivers as God talked to me that day in May.  Storytelling was something I loved anyhow and tears began rolling as I realized this was my purpose, my ministry, my calling, my niche.  My favorite type of stories I tell are inspirational but not religious, ones that make you think about your life in another way, ones that have a funny twist at the end you didn't even…

Susanna “ Granny Sue” Holstein is a West Virginia storyteller. She tells and sings stories in the old-time front-porch style.

From mountain tall tales to poignant family stories to ghostly tales and beautiful…

Recently I have started to experiment with creating Youtube videos that use storytelling and images to tell stories.  The idea is to create a bed time experience for my nieces and nephews the way i use to hangout with my children when they were little. Here is one…

The holiday season is a time for looking back-- and looking forward. What happened last year? What is ahead? Only Time will tell and we have to wait for the tale it spins.

For me, and for you, in all likelihood, 2011 was an adventure story. In Ohio, we had record-breaking weather (more rain in 12 months than we usually get in 16). Other places fared even worse. Some of us found out "Your job is safe" can be a bigger lie than "The check is in the mail" and a few discovered new…

Hello Everyone,

I just wanted to share the exciting news that I have a new book and DVD out!! The book, O Christmas Tree, is my third children's book and released just in time for the holidays. In addition to the book itself, I'm also offering interactive storytelling performances of it where I play the role of Treena the Christmas Tree, complete with full-body tree suit! :)

My DVD film is called, Flight to…

Hello everyone,

I'm going to be giving a writing/storytelling workshop to a group of 2nd grade students next year, and one of the things I'm interested in doing is giving them a list of ways to begin a story. (ie; Once upon a time. . . Many, many years ago. . . etc.)

I'd also like to give them some of the ways that stories start in other cultures (like Cric? Crac! in Haiti)  I know there are a lot of neat ways out there from all over the world! Those of you…

After scheduling my 105th gig for 2011 earlier today, several storytellers asked what I am doing different to get this many. So, without giving away the farm, I’ll share the process.  There is nothing terribly different, just a constant commitment to marketing.  Do note, one thing that is different is that I do not market myself as a storyteller.  I market programs.  That keeps me fresh for the audience I market to and does not make other storytellers “competition”.



First of…

Come see Bobby Norfolk on Nov 20 7:30 to 8:30 PM for a free program on Spooky Tales.   The address is the Ohio Dominican University 1216 Sunbury Road Columbus Ohio 43223.  It is in the Griff Conference room in the Student Center.   Feel free to call me at 559-213-0161  Don't be a stranger if you can come.

Kevin Cordi

more at www.bobbynorfolk.com

One of the things I learned along the way as a storyteller was a hard lesson that not all of us have picked up on.  I have to admit that I didn't follow the advice I am about to give for a good while.  It took me several years as a working storyteller to learn this lesson.

You've seen the promotional material, or maybe even have some materials similar to what I used years ago.  Beautiful, thoughtful, artistic even, promoting Stephen Hollen, Storyteller.  Trifold brochures…

Here is sample of my work on a Christmas Carol Dinner Theater in 3 Acts.

Sorta a combination of Master Piece Theater and Saturday Night Live

I have a second track that focuses on the comedy audience interaction section at …

I put together a little montage on Lindsay's OLLIO. 

Dave

Eric Wolf, known in the storytelling community as Brother Wolf, will lead a Summer Storytelling Intensive and Workshops June 3–7, 2011 in Yellow Springs, Ohio. Designed for storytellers at all levels of ability, each day will offer workshops that focus on attitude, skills, or business aspects of storytelling. Participants can choose to attend for part or all of a day, several days, or the entire five days.…

After this I'll go back to polishing up my version of Beyond the Horizon or The Voyage of Maeldun.

It was likely written before the 8th century but first written down about that time. I learned a new word immrama for stories like that. If you want to know what immrama means e sure to ask me.

Hey folks,

It's not too late to sign up for the O.O.P.S! conference in Mt Vernon OH 29 April thru 01 May.  There are a couple of board members (you know who you are) who have still not signed up.  We have a great line-up of tellers for the weekend, so get yuor reservations in ASAP!

Sláinte mhath,

Melanie

OK, it is not official yet, but spring is in the air.  summer is not far behind as is the festival season.  Since going full time as a storyteller I have been busier than ever (though not as busy as I would like! chuckle).  this summer I am excited about several storytelling opportunities as well as some Mark Twain gigs at festivals and other events.

It is a great day today!

Hey, all - the brochures have been mailed, looking forward to a great conference in Mt. Vernon OH, the last weekend of April & 1st of May.  Hoping that spring will have arrived by then.   I hope to see a lot of folks at the conference.  If you didn't get a brochure and want one, email me at seanachiemelanie@sbcglobal.net and I'll be glad to send one out!!

Got a note in my email in box that a storybox sent out 2 years ago has…

Hello friends,

I'm looking for troll stories and thought maybe some of you might know of some! An organization near where I live is doing a whole event with trolls sometime this fall. They said that they would like to have a historical story with a central troll character which they are then planning to use as their mascot, so if any of you have any favorite troll stories that you think might fit the bill, please let me know! You can send me a message my oops page or reach me…