GRIST came to a close in April of 2016. If you would like to learn more about live storytelling events and communities in Portland, OR, check out The Portland Storytellers’ Guild, Portland Story Theater, and Back Fence PDX.
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Come prepared to shock, amuse, or inspire with a five-minute true story based on your own personal experience. Or just come with open ears: sharing a story is not required to attend this event.
Tea will be provided. Snacks and drinks (alcoholic and otherwise) are welcome and encouraged.
Out of respect for our storytellers we ask that everyone arrive to Grist on time to avoid interruptions.
GUIDELINES
Planning on telling a story at Grist? Here's some guidelines for what we're looking for:
1. It must be TRUE - strictly non-fiction.
2. It must be ON TOPIC - the story you've prepared should be intrinsically related to the chosen theme for the evening.
3. It must be YOUR STORY TO TELL - your involvement in the events as they unfold is essential. No journalism. Eyewitness accounts only.
4. It must be ON TIME - please try to keep stories between 4-8 minutes.
What we don't want: stand-up routines, rants, essays, how-tos, confessions, lectures, fictions.
SUGGESTIONS
No paper please.
Good stories are told, not read. We love how the storyteller connects with the audience when there is no page between them. Please know your story “by heart” but not by rote memorization. No notes, paper or cheat sheets allowed.
Have some stakes.
Stakes are essential in live storytelling. What do you stand to gain or lose? Why is what happens in the story important to you? If you can’t answer this, then think of a different story. A story without stakes is an essay and is best experienced on the page, not the stage.
Start where the action is.
Have a great first line that sets up the stakes or grabs attention.
No: “So I was thinking about climbing this mountain. But then I watched a little TV and made a snack and took a nap and my mom called and vented about her psoriasis then I did a little laundry (a whites load) (I lost another sock, darn it!) and then I thought about it again and decided I’d climb the mountain the next morning.”
Yes: “The mountain loomed before me. I had my hunting knife, some trail mix and snow boots. I had to make it to the little cabin and start a fire before sundown or freeze to death for sure.”
Steer clear of meandering endings.
They kill a story! Your last line should be clear in your head before you start. Yes, bring the audience along with you as you contemplate what transpires in your story, but remember, you are driving the story, and must know the final destination. Keep your hands on the wheel!
Know your story well enough so you can have fun!
Watching you panic to think of the next memorized line is harrowing for the audience. Make an outline, memorize your bullet points and play with the details. Enjoy yourself. Imagine you are at a dinner party, not a deposition.
No standup routines.
We love funny people but require that all funny people tell funny stories.
No rants.
Take up this anger issue with your therapist, or skip therapy and shape your anger into a story with some sort of resolution.
No essays.
Your eloquent musings are beautiful and look pretty on the page but unless you can make them gripping and set up stakes, they won’t work at Grist.