When people learn I’ve been writing stories for nearly 20 years they tend to ask the same questions of me:
- What do you write?
- Where do you publish your stories?
- How did you start?
- Can you write my stories for me?
Despite the fact that not everyone feels comfortable writing, it isn’t as hard as people make it out to be. Telling stories comes naturally to everyone. We’re promoted all day long to tell stories with each new encounter throughout the day. The simple question, “How are you?” leads into a story. How truthful and forthcoming we are in our stories is the real matter.
I’m a personal essayist. I decided a while ago that I’d write about lessons I’ve learned through my own experiences as a way to help others. If I was moving through a fear-block or transitioning into a new phase of life, there has to be another person on the planet who is doing the same thing.
I started personal storytelling on a blog five years ago. The weekly blog was about what life was like as a female nonprofit entrepreneur. I laid it all out there. It was seen by thousands each week. It was scary at first for sure. I worried about what would come back, who would respond, what they would think of me. I made it much harder on myself than it actually was and after a few years, I finally learned to let go of the audience’s reaction. It’s out of my control.
What mattered was the fact that I was being truthful. I was showing real depth of character and adding value to the world through my own stories. That was something I wanted to do as a writer since I became a writer. To show vulnerability can be impossible for some. It can be scary to others. Showing vulnerability through stories is where the real magic happens. We impact others through our own experiences. We help them move through a block of their own. They learn from us and in turn help someone else.
In my opinion, it’s the vulnerability that acts as a magnet for connections. And we do business with those we feel we have a connection with. Now, in addition to writing my own stories, I train entrepreneurs how to use their own personal experiences as a way to better their business. I help them know what stories to share and how to share it. And sometimes, I have to help them break through a fear block of their own.
When I first started supporting entrepreneurs on their storytelling journey, I noticed a lot of fear. Not around me – but around them. Being fearful of sharing and showing real emotion to strangers is a natural. My suggestion is to break up your storytelling into smaller bites. You had your whole life to acquire your story. Your audience isn’t going to sit down in one sitting and absorb everything about you. Take it slow! Be easy on yourself and share in smaller portions.
Staying unattached from the response is key. You are the expert of your journey. Work through the fear, and just start sharing.
Happy storytelling!
About the author: Carrie is a two-time entrepreneur and writer. She trains inspired entrepreneurs how to share their stories to better their own brand and can be found at www.carrieseverson.com. To learn how to start storytelling, visit her website to register for her free 30-minute webinar at www.carrieseversonwebinar.com. Connect with Carrie on Twitter at @Carrie_Severson.
Images from Dreamstime
