Review of The ABCs of Storytelling: Reflections of a Story Coach

By Dr. Michael Wiliams, illustrated by Tsochoy Go

By Kevin D. Cordi, Ph.D.

My mother raised me to listen to people who have walked the path.  However, as Douglas Adams once said, “human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disclination to do so.”  Too often our world seems to rush our time.  It took a trip to Japan to realize the importance of what I call “no time for a hurry.”  In Japan, I worked with people who did quality work but didn’t rush their thinking because a clock told them to do so.  Minds don’t rush; creativity is stilled or even stalled when we can’t clear our minds to consider our choices. 

This philosophy also applies to our world as we walk the road of story.  We need to listen to the pulse of story; we need to slow down to learn from those that have answered the pulse and have much to say about the life of a storyteller.

This is why I took the time to read Michael Williams latest book, The ABCs of Storytelling: Reflections of a Storyt Coach.   Confucius said, “By three methods we may learn wisdom: first, by reflection, which is noblest; second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest.”  I like to think what is meant by bitter is hard times because it is real.

Williams' book speaks to all three.

As a reflection piece, we learn from William’s journey as a storyteller and the wisdom along the way.  I first became aware of Michael’s work when he wrote an essay that is included in the book, I edited entitled Social Action Stories. I

In his story, "Dandelion", we learn the value of deep listening when others talk.  This type of listening is reflected in his book.  We learn:

How stories and openly listening helps people see each other and even avoid conflict in a camp for Palestinians.  How a Scottish song entitled “Aitken” Drum speaks the universal in us all. As he notes,

                  Despite the damange,I left there full of hope. I'd witnessed the power of story that day. I'd seen it change minds...I saw it make a young soldier smile

                  and remember just for a moment that he was a human being (p. 15).

Later, we learn that we must use the “head, heart, and hands” in storytelling. He speaks to someone who knew this well, Scottish storyteller Duncan Williamson who says, “stories are our whole education.”   He shares questions to ask when preparing and telling stories.

For the heart, he asks us to address the question, “What story would be worth listening to if it didn’t engage the heart?”    Too often we are caught up of telling and forget that this art form is about connecting from one heart to another.  Williams reminds us of this so we can consider this the next time we tell stories.

He also reminds us that we need to “acknowledge the audience.” This is more than greeting them, but realizing they are invaluable to the experience.  He likens it to a “bird singing in the forest.”  Who is there to hear the song?   He reminds us that audience is connected to the story and the teller, and we need to always consider them as part of the telling experience.   Afterall, as he notes, stories are about relationships.

As far as imitation, I would say he speaks not to the traditional sense of the word imitation, which is mirroring another, instead, learning from models and listening to the smallest and largest voices to help guide a person on the pathway of stories. His book is equipped with experiences such as his time learning from Israeli Storyteller Roi Gal-Or Co-Founder of the International School of Storytelling at Forest Row in England learning the three You’s in storytelling.  The public YOU.  The Storyteller You.  The Story Character You.  However, Michael has a keen ear and eye, and we learn from his dialogic approaches to story and the people whom he meets using it.

He knows the value of silence and how much sound and wisdom it creates. He begins his coaching with silence.  They are part of the journey of storytellers as they work on crafting their stories.

As far as experience, the book is filled with practical advice on breathing, mediative times in story, and his journey. However, he also recognized the journey that story can bring.

He states,

“Every story is an invitation to take a journey into the magical world of the imagination with the storyteller as your guide (p. 68)."

If you can’t elect to have Michael to tell stories for you or coach you on the practice, then, I recommend you secure this book. It is filled with practical and contemplative advice from someone who has walked the path of story.  Albert Einstein said, “Wisdom is not the product of schooling but of the longtime attempt to acquire it.”  I invite you to take the time to learn the road from that someone know the direction.

I also invite you to look at the playful and artistic illustrations by by Tsochoy Go. They tell a powerful story on their own.

        You can reach Michael at https://www.michaelwilliamsstoryteller.com/

You can order the book at: https://www.amazon.com/ABCs-Storytelling-Reflections-Story-Coach/dp/1069035106

If you have a story or resource or person for me to check, out I invite you to share it with me.

Do feel free to comment on this post or any others. I wish you well in your travels with story.