"The Changeling": French Scenes technique

It was time to develop the French Scenes for "The Changeling", as this technique guided me in the telling of the stories "The Gardener's Wife" and "Forsaken Brother".

Joanna Huffaker, my story buddy, was ready to delve into this adventure.

Basic concept of French Scenes (review):
French Scenes are main events of the story that begin with one or more key characters enter the scene and ends when one or more key characters exit the scene. Between entrances and exits are developments to the story whether in understanding the environment, revealing character, and forwarding the plot.

French Scenes tend to be divided into 5 parts though I could have as many as 32+ parts for a complicated story.

Here are the French Scenes for this Irish story--
Scene 1:
Enter Mrs. Sullivan with Baby
Exit Neighbors

Environment--

• Church--quiet, solemn, whispers, playing of hymns
• Market--buzz, vying for attention for different wares
• Bridge--over turbulent waters
• Green grass, blue skies, a couple clouds, sun
• Occasional livestock--cows and sheep

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--proud mama, bubbling, anxious to show baby, animated, high-spirited
• Baby--calm, happy, quiet, mild, serene (at this time he has bright-blue eyes, smooth skin, and tiny/delicate hands)
• 1st Neighbor found at Church--congratulatory towards Mrs. Sullivan then turns to worry
• 2nd Neighbor found at Market--annoyed and preoccupied
• 3rd Neighbor found at Bridge--spiteful, jealous, harsh

Moving Plot Forward--

• Bragging of Baby
• Attracts attention of Fairies
• Introduces Neighbors

Scene 2:
Enter Neighbors (Verbal Abuse--3 times)
Exit Neighbors

Environment--

• Church--quiet, solemn, whispers, playing of hymns
• Market--buzz, vying for attention for different wares
• Bridge--over turbulent waters

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--untroubled, unflappable, imperturbable which then turns to astonishment
• 1st Neighbor found at Church--worry, concern, troubled, sincere
• 2nd Neighbor found at Market--distracted, preoccupied, bothered, irritable
  
• 3rd Neighbor found at Bridge--spiteful, catty, ill-natured, grumpy, sulky, bitter

Moving Plot Forward--

• Neighbors give warnings
• Mrs. Sullivan does not listen
• Verbal Abuse emphasized

Scene 3:
Enter Changeling
Exit Mrs. Sullivan

Environment--

• Home--thatched roof, mostly made of white stone, rural, small windows, wooden table and chairs, bits of straw on the floor

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--alarmed, senses something, attempts to be calm and collected (which is a different personality for her)
• Changeling--loud, obnoxious, messy, impish, wails (at this time he has dull and lifeless eyes, wrinkled skin, and hands like talons)
• Home--eerie, feels cooler, too quiet and contrasts with the Changeling

Moving Plot Forward--

• Switch of the Baby for the Changeling is made by the Fairies
• Mrs. Sullivan needs to get the Baby back

Scene 4:
Enter Neighbors (Physical Abuse--3 times)
Exit Neighbors

Environment--

• Church--quiet, solemn, whispers, playing of hymns
• Market--buzz, vying for attention for different wares
• Bridge--over turbulent waters

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--urgency, wild-eyed, horrified when hears answers from Neighbors
• 1st Neighbor found at Church--sincere, slightly offended to be ignored the first time (suggests Changeling put out in elements/snow)
• 2nd Neighbor found at Market--exasperated, gives more time to Mrs. Sullivan so not bothered again (suggests to burn nose of Changeling)
  
• 3rd Neighbor found at Bridge--rough, on edge, rude, sarcastic, has "I told you so" attitude but pleased with Mrs. Sullivan's bad fortune, smirks (suggests roast Changeling alive on griddle)

Moving Plot Forward--

• Solutions revealed from Neighbors but denied by Mrs. Sullivan

Scene 5:
Enter Ellen Grey
Exit Mrs. Sullivan

Environment--

• Ellen Grey's Home--obscure location, herbs and remedies hang all over the home, things creatively placed about inside, many worn blankets

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--desperate, intimidated, leery, surprised, taken-aback, then becomes apprehensive and doubtful by choice presented by Ellen Grey but it may be the only option left
• Ellen Grey--amused for she has seen these reactions before, sharp and witty despite her looks, mysterious
  

Moving Plot Forward--

• Solution revealed from Ellen Grey that is more accepted by Mrs. Sullivan

Scene 6:
Enter Mrs. Sullivan
Exit Changeling

Environment--

• Home--thatched roof, mostly made of white stone, rural, small windows, wooden table and chairs, bits of straw on the floor

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--determined but uneasy, purposeful
• Changeling--curious, amused, talkative, creepy
  

Moving Plot Forward--

• Changeling reveals age so must return Baby

Scene 7:
Enter Baby
Exit Mrs. Sullivan with Baby

Environment--

• Home--thatched roof, mostly made of white stone, rural, small windows, wooden table and chairs, bits of straw on the floor

Character/Feelings--

• Mrs. Sullivan--relieved, happy, tender in showing her love in a quiet way (no longer bragging)
• Baby--calm, happy, quiet, mild, serene (at this time he has bright-blue eyes, smooth skin, and tiny/delicate hands)

Moving Plot Forward--

• Baby returned

It always feels good to work this process out!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Self-Censorship: When it is Dangerous to the Art

For almost every word that left my mouth, a grimace or an inner groan told me, "That was the wrong word choice" or "You can do better than this!"

As I told about 20 minutes of "The Gardener's Wife", it seemed that I had ordered an extra large delivery of butterflies-in-the-stomach. Holly Robison, my story buddy, sensed my frustration and reminded me that I could make mistakes in front of her.

I glanced at the timing on the mp3 recorder. I had barely gotten to the part in the story when the Wife adopts the first child. There were two more children to be adopted, and there was the quest for each of the children. I had expected this Colombian story to take about 40 minutes to tell. At this rate, it would take an hour!

Then I stopped. The story was not done but I stopped.

I wanted perfection and forgot that this meeting was called a "practice". My desire to be flawless could only mean disaster. The self-censorship would hinder my creative process (compare to previous post for "Forsaken Brother").

For several weeks, I had "played" with this story by looking into character personalities, envisioning the scenery, and other techniques.

Today the "fun" was gone.

I deeply wanted to share the story for the premiere, but I recognized that today was not my day to pursue it.

Holly comforted me and said the story would come together in time.

We did not discuss too much of what I needed to improve, as my self-censorship already gave me a long list of "to do"s. However, we did agree that I spent too much time with the two oldest sisters, who were minor characters in the story.

On the way home, I realized why I did not feel prepared to share the story the whole way through: the French Scenes had not been completed (see previous post on this story's French Scenes so far).

I determined to work on the French Scenes so to be more ready next time. The scenes could give structure to an otherwise chaotic story. Then I could "play" and enjoy the story for the following practice with Holly Robison.

I am thankful for Holly's patience with me.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Behind the Wheel: When Imagination is Most Active

The drive home from the New Year's Eve party was the perfect opportunity to practice.

We were invited to gather for New Year's Eve at the home of one of my husband's brothers. Over 20 of us celebrated into the wee hours. As my husband and I traveled the furthest, we were offered to sleepover so we could be well rested and start the New Year right.

When I sat in the car, I wanted to review the scenes of "The Gardener's Wife", the Colombian story. I would meet with Holly Robison on January 2nd to tell the whole story, and I wanted to be ready. I expected to the story to be told in about 40 minutes so there were many details to remember.

Along the highway, I saw the Utah mountains. I pretended that the mountains were the ones in Colombia and made them more green in my mind.

Eventually I pictured the Wife in the story looking down from the mountains and into a corner of the garden. I did not speak words of what I saw. This was something I witnessed through thoughts and driving upon the highway.

The imaginings continued.

The Wife thinks she sees a child, only to discover it is squash. The Wife laughs at herself while have a touch of sadness as she and her husband are childless.

This was not hard to feel as my husband and I have been married for over seven and a half years and we have wanted children from the beginning.

I thought of the winding river that brought a baby one by one to the Wife. As Utah is a dry place, the winding highway became my "winding river".

And so was my drive home. Something outside my window would transform into something inside "The Gardener's Wife" story.

If only the pictures in my head would translate into words from my mouth to share with others. Then I would transform from being dreamer to being storyteller.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

An Irish Story's Transformation: Multicultural to Universal

It was time to gather books on Ireland, as I had already checked out many books from the library on the Ojibwa and Colombian cultures.

I had several versions of "The Changeling" story, though I wanted to bring more multicultural influences into the piece. Sharing these elements makes the story more universal.

This is one of the storytelling paradoxes: the more details in the story, then the more universal the story.

I certainly want the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere to be universal. When it tours worldwide, the stories will transcend language barriers due to its ability to connect to individuals.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Soundscapes: How a Guitar can Howl like a Wolf

This was the first practice of the "Forsaken Brother" story with guitarist Joshua Payne, and my nerves were on end.

I usually have butterflies in the stomach when I perform, but I had more than usual today.

I would not be alone as Julie Barnson, my story buddy, would also be in the room. That was comforting as she is a long-time storytelling friend. Joshua is still learning about the storytelling world so there is more pressure to be as exceptional as possible.

Luckily, the meeting was called a "practice" so perfection was not required. In fact, this was the place to make mistakes.

While Joshua set up his guitar, I reviewed the French scenes and shared which areas were key for certain sounds from him.

The wolf howls were important to the plot and the wind threaded its way throughout the story.

I was amazed when Joshua demonstrated how his guitar could how like a wolf. He turned some knobs and the eerie sound escaped his instrument.

I had always envisioned having music to enhance the "Forsaken Brother" story, but what I heard surpassed my imaginations.

It was evident that Joshua had done his research before coming to the meeting. He had listened to other stories that merged music with words such as the classic "Peter and the Wolf". Though what we would do was vastly different that than piece, there were techniques that could be drawn from it such as the power of silence or how to not overpower the speaker.

So with less confidence than usual, I told the "Forsaken Brother" story. I attempted to stop after each French scene as Joshua and I decided that each scene could have a different soundscape. My mp3 recorder/microphone caught these moments at the same time of Joshua's recorder.

With all the pauses and word-tumblings, it took 27 minutes to tell! I predicted that the polished story would be between 15-20 minutes. My pacing was slow and words were drawn out so I knew I was on track. Of course, the story must go as long as it must go.

After telling the whole story, Joshua spoke some musical lingo and terminology that was unfamiliar to me.

Here is what we decided after the first time through the story:

• Story would begin and end with the same soundscape though the beginning would be in the major chord while the ending would be in the minor chord
• Pause or silence during the chanting would heighten the mood
• A final howl from the guitar would follow after my last words
• Time may be given for pure music during seasonal changes in the story

I look forward to more practices to see what develops.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Bulk Mailings: When a Sore Wrist is Worth It

My databases are growing due to this "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere.

The information gathered now will help with future mailings.

Eventually I will have contact information for all the school districts in the following counties: Weber, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah.

As the "Save the Date" postcards arrived on December 24th, it was tempting to mail the first batch today. However, I realized that school would not be in session until January 2nd. There may be a build up of mail so best to wait a little.

These schools are in Utah so timing is still fine.

In the meantime, Denae Palm, the Weber State University senior undergraduate student, sent me almost 90 family associations so far as part of her four key tasks.

Rather than slapping on labels and stamps, I prefer the personal touch. Though my wrist hurt afterward, I signed all of them.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Former Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance (2005-2008)

Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com

How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com

Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller