"Technical Difficulties" with Online Orders. . .and Some Help

For a long time I have had a Paypal account.

Until the possibility of this Family Famine: Hunger for Love DVD, I had little use for the account.

Then, I raked my brain for my password and explored the Paypal website.

It was time to create a "Buy Now" button to place on my two blogs: Family Famine: Hunger for Love and Voice--A Storyteller's Lifestyle.

Eventually, a code was given that I was to copy and paste into the layout of each of my blogs.

I announced the ability to pre-order the DVD on Twitter, Facebook, and on the Professional Storyteller social network site.

Luckily, I received a message from Tim Ereneta. He had attempted to order a copy but something was wrong with the "Buy Now" button.

I called someone from Paypal, got it figured out, copied a new code, and pasted them in their spots.

Thank you, Tim, for the heads up!

Now everything is in working order.

Talking about "order", have you ordered your copy yet?

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

Rescued: Overcoming the Pain of Press Releases

Sometimes the word "press release" brings upon the theme music from "Jaws".

It is one thing to write a press release to fit a page and meet the criteria. It is quite another painful experience to determine who to send the press release for the best results.

Then, through Facebook, I learned about Utah News Source. It is a company that keeps current with which reporters write which kind of stories. They give guidelines on what is needed in the press release and send the press release on your behalf.

So someone could rescue me from the shark!

Utah New Source barely started their group on Facebook on Friday, January 9th when I discovered it a few days later. (Today is January 13th!)

Of course, for this kind of service there was a fee. I gladly paid it. My time was more precious to save than some money.

It cost $50.00.

I paid $20.00 more so the press release could also be shared through social networking sites like Facebook, Digg, etc.

My grand total was $70.00.

This is what my press release looked like--

Family Famine: Hunger for Love, a world premiere storytelling concert addresses social concerns

Storyteller Rachel Hedman presents “Family Famine: Hunger for Love” a world premiere storytelling concert, Monday, February 9, 2009 from 8:00 - 9:30 pm. at Covey Center for the Arts, Grand Theater at 425 W. Center St. in Provo, UT.

The concert addresses social concerns and is sponsored in part by the Utah Storytelling Guild, a nonprofit group.

Audience: Minimum age 8, geared for 12-year-olds+ due to themes, program expects to tour worldwide mainly at educational venues from upper elementary to universities as well as other venues similar to Covey Center for the Arts.

"Sometimes the best way to approach sensitive concerns like child abuse and abandonment is through a multicultural tale. It takes us away from the here and now so we can think of people or situations that seem familiar in the present-day," says Hedman.

Hedman will share multicultural tales from Ireland, the Ojibwa nation, and Colombia. The Irish one is storytelling with a mix of personal reflection while the others are enhanced by music like songs sung as duet with Holly Robison for the Colombian piece.

A guitar can howl like a wolf with Joshua Payne, guitarist. Payne will be joined by Geoff Rayback, upright bass player, to create soundscapes for the Ojibwa piece.

Hedman's cousin, Kristen Lorensen, discovered in 2005 that there may be a family history link to the Ojibwa people. Lorensen mailed an Ojibwa story “Forsaken Brother” to Hedman, which she clung to until Elizabeth Ellis, her Storytelling Masters professor from East Tennessee State University, assigned the “My Finest Hour” project in August 2008. That was when Hedman started her blog.

Already people in Utah and worldwide have followed the story development process and marketing through almost daily posts.

Tickets: $10.00 general admission, $5.00 student/senior*, $5.00 for groups of 15+* ***Discount prices available only by phone or in person.

Call (801) 852-7007 or go to www.coveycenter.org for more info.

Contact: Rachel Hedman, Director/Featured Storyteller

Phone: (801) 870-5799

Email: info@rachelhedman.comThis e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it

Website/Blog: http://www.coveycenter.org and http://familyfamine.blogspot.com

Other People of Interest: Elizabeth Ellis (national teller from Texas/guest emcee), Joshua Payne (guitarist), Geoff Rayback (upright bass player), Holly Robison (singer). Contact information for them can be given at request

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

Wisconsin Parents Fly for Utah Premiere

This picture was posted by permission of my parents.

Last night it seemed my parents would not come to the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere.

Mom explained how nervous she would be to fly during the winter.

Then that all changed.

Before I walked out the door to attend Cub Scouts Roundtable Training, I received another call from Mom.

She asked, "So. . .you have room at your house?"

"Whoo-hoo!" I yelled so my husband, Casey, and the whole neighborhood knew my joy.

I started to walk wildly back and forth, which is my way to release the energy during such a moment. I would be late for the Roundtable Training, but I did not care!

I thought about the journey to this "yes" from Mom and Dad.

My Mom had clicked "maybe" when I invited her to the event through the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" Facebook support group. That had given me hope for at least a month.

I called Elizabeth Ellis, my professor from the East Tennessee State University Storytelling Masters program and guest emcee for the event. I told her that usually a Mom "maybe" transformed into "yes". Elizabeth wished that it would be true, though she doubted, especially considering the distance from Utah to Wisconsin.

When it appeared that the "maybe" could really turn into a "no", I was disappointed though I could not blame Mom and Dad for that possible answer.

I stressed to Mom that I did not know when I would do anything even close to what I was doing for this premiere. I painted a picture for Mom as to all the details (and money) being placed into this premiere.

At this point, Mom mentioned that they wanted to come to Utah for the 2009 Christmas. I had to laugh, as December was a winter month like February. What happened to her fear to fly during the winter?

Then I said, "Would you be able to trade the Christmas trip for the premiere? There will always be more Christmases."

I expected Mom would want to discuss with Dad, which she did.

Then tonight I received the news: they would be coming.

Their seats have since been reserved on the front row of the Covey Center for the Arts Grand Theater.

Before my parents response, I had already heard from my brother, Nate. He took off work and committed to drive from Idaho to Utah. He also has a front row seat.

My sister, Care, will be missed as she has college classes in Wisconsin and cannot fly with my parents. She will be missed. I told her about what I plan to film on premiere day so she feels part of the event. (You will need to attend and/or pre-order the DVD to find out what that will be.)

And my husband, Casey? He will be there next to my parents and brother. Casey is my constant story appreciator through which we will live "eternally ever after".

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

Word Wrestling: Narrative Production vs. Storytelling

I labeled "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" as a "narrative production" since August 2008 and it seemed like a hands-down win.

Then today Elizabeth Ellis, national storyteller and one of my Storytelling Masters professors at East Tennessee State University, asked, "Why?" in an email.

I called her in order to have help in this wrestle with words. None of my other storytelling friends had asked, "Why?"

Ellis was genuinely interested as to my reasons for "narrative production".

I found it hard to respond as she asked me questions so I could come up with my own answer.

Yet, this was the time to answer it because I was about to order postcards and posters. The wording could be changed, if necessary. "Narrative production" was used throughout the Internet, but the Internet could be easily edited for whatever term I chose to use.

Ellis continued, "I find it strange that so many people use the term 'storytelling' when those who call themselves 'storyteller' are afraid to use it." She felt not enough of us "raise the banner" in using the word "storytelling".

She was right. Filmmakers, authors, musicians, speakers, and many other performing artists use the word "storytelling" freely.

Guilt. More guilt.

Anyone who knows me is aware that I am a storytelling advocate. Of my "Voice--A Storyteller's Lifestyle" blog, Tim Ereneta proclaimed, "It's clear from her regular and varied postings that she is passionate not only about storytelling but about the storytelling movement."

Then my college education came to mind.

Since I studied Communications Marketing at Brigham Young University, I knew that if a certain word or phrase evoked images or formed connotations that did not match my message, then it was best to use another word or phrase that did meet my goal.

Usually when "storytelling" is mentioned, people think about an old lady reading a story to preschoolers.

I am not an old lady. . .yet. (I am only 29.)

I do not read when on stage. I read books for research.

This program has a minimum age of 8 yet geared to 12-year-olds+ due to the themes of child abuse, abandonment, and adoption. Hmmm.

Then I looked at what I currently labeled the event: a world premiere narrative production to be recorded live.

I wanted a more sophisticated sound, but did I go too far?

I called David Novak, another national storyteller and professor at ETSU.

He seemed to think that I could be more creative in how I expressed the program. He thought I might even invent a new word or phrase that could become my trademark.

I was glad for his confidence in me, though now I felt the pressure to be a genius.

He agreed that to reach teenagers and college students, perhaps a different label was needed than "storytelling".

As I brainstormed other phrases, I went on Facebook and instant messaged people who were online for opinions.

A lot of my cousins were online including Greg Wallendal. He directs plays at a high school and was more aware of the terms that may fit with what I had in mind.

Greg granted permission to share part of our conversation--

Rachel: I wanted advice on wording. . ."narrative production" versus "storytelling" or "story"-something.

Greg: Hmmm.

Rachel: It's geared for 12-year-olds and older. No one under 8 is admitted.

Greg: Give me the full sentence as it stands right now.

Rachel: World premiere narrative production to be recorded live

Greg: Are you moving around for your story telling or are you standing behind a podium?

Rachel: No podium. Never podium for storytelling. I have a guest guitarist and a guest singer. Storytelling is the main stage art.

Greg: Are you moving around creating different characters with body language, gesture, voice, etc.?

Rachel: Other arts blend with the storytelling. Telling in 3rd person though with dialogue with characters. I am all of them.

Greg: I'm leaning heavily toward "storytelling production". Do you have fancy lighting or special visuals going on with this, or anything? A set?

Rachel: I told another storytelling professor "storytelling production", and he thought I could be more clever. That's pressure! I do have technicians and I had planned on minor lighting like making it more blue when the boy is starving in the middle of winter for the Ojibwa tale. No sets though. Lights will be up on the audience slightly so there can be a little interaction.

Greg: Maybe add some tease to the title. Kind of a "Don't miss this event" tone to it.

Several ideas were tossed around, but what meant the most was when Greg said, "I'm here for you."

Eventually I thought of "a world premiere storytelling feast for the senses".

Besides positive feedback to my new phrase, I kept the following in mind for my decision:

• BYU Storytelling Club has been active since 1998
• Storytelling was held every Monday night at the BYU Museum of Art for over 8 years
• Timpanogos Storytelling Conference was co-hosted by Theatre and Media Arts Department on campus as part of the Theatre and Community Stories Initiative 2007-2008
• Proximity to Timpanogos Storytelling Festival in Orem, UT that can reach attendance of 20,000 to 28,000 people--about 10 minute drive from Provo, which is the location of my premiere
• Performing Arts Concert Series at BYU had a professional storyteller that sold out
• KBYU combined efforts with PBS to create a TV special/DVD of "The Call of Story"

Other areas of the nation may not be as familiar with "storytelling" and what it all entails, but, for Utah, it was a word worth keeping.

Though the winners vary depending on the event and the intended audience, in this word wrestling round "storytelling" won.

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

Official Venue: I have Covey Center for the Arts!

I learned that the Covey Center for the Arts signed their half of the venue contract.

Now it is official: I have the place for my premiere on February 9, 2009 at 8:00pm!

I will wait to send out invites through Facebook, Twitter, Professional Storyteller, and other online avenues until the information on the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production is on the Covey Center for the Arts website. By November 26th the page will be up, if not earlier. When I receive notification, then I will also submit the event to online calendars including NowPlayingUtah.com.

Each event that takes place there has their own page to post a few pictures, description, and list any websites connected to it. Of most use is link so people could order tickets online.

Perhaps I should not have stalled to work on the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" logo. I wanted to have the venue in place first as the location's information would be needed for posters, fliers, and postcards. The logo itself did not need those details. Still, there is a certain security to waiting when things are more in stone.

I could always have the logo uploaded on the Covey Center for the Arts website as I get it. In the meantime, I will submit the picture of me looking back over my shoulder. This is the same picture used for my Facebook support group.

I expect to have pictures of my accompanist and possible someone to sing duet with me for a song or two. This will be more clear as the structures of the stories progress.

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

Making a Reusable Countdown for Premiere

Whenever there is a major movie or book to be released, there is usually a countdown connected with a huge poster or cardboard figure. I may not be going for a cardboard figure for "Family Famine: Hunger for Love", but I am looking to create a reusable countdown that can apply to the premiere date as well as to when I tour.

I have used countdowns on my blogs, "Voice--A Storyteller's Lifestyle" and "Family Famine: Hunger for Love", through Clocklink.com. Plus I have a countdown application on my profile page on Facebook through, which can be found under my "Boxes" tab. Unfortunately, this application is not allowed to be moved to my wall or main area for Facebook since the switch to the new Facebook. At least I still have the feature.

Frequent visits to the library and seeing their displays or the rare trips to the movie theatres allows me to apply techniques to my own projects.

As I find sponsors, hopefully some of them have moderate to heavy traffic from the general public. Perhaps they could display the countdowns for me.

I imagine most of these countdowns to be either 8 1/2 X 11 size or even 11 X 14 if I have a willing enough sponsor to work the descending numbers. The items I need to create a reusable countdown could be found from office supply to craft to school supply stores. In a later post I will share pictures of what I develop. In the meantime, I picked up some possibilities today (see pictures).

Feel free to share what types of supplies could make a reusable countdown. I would want something durable with a professional look. Most likely I am aiming for plastic. The lower right side would have a literature holder so I could place fliers of the event and/or have my business cards.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance

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

Chamber of Commerce: A Storyteller's Friend

I am the only professional storyteller with Chamber East in Utah. I am probably the only one involved with a Chamber of Commerce in the state. How many storytellers on a whole are part of Chambers?

Lately I have reflected on how I may involve the Chamber with my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production.

I enjoy attending ribbon-cuttings, like the one I attended in this video--


Perhaps this is one of the reasons that Marie Marshall dubbed me as Chamber East Ambassador. When she gave me a magnetic badge, I was delighted to see that she put "Professional Storyteller" on it.

Marie understands and shares my love for the art as she is creator of the Timpanogos Storytelling Festival fan page on Facebook and has run storytelling events in the past.

Sometimes, when completing errands like grocery shopping or going to the post office, I click on the badge. Wearing it has given more confidence, beyond my natural tendency to share, with people who are in line with me. Even if I am not the first to speak, several people, including cashiers and bank tellers, have asked what it says on my badge. Then the conversation opens easily about how I am a storyteller and about my narrative production. Many business cards have been passed out this way.

So if a name badge from the Chamber is enough to help me with making connections, what about with the Chamber members themselves?

Every so often I receive letters from Chamber members sharing about their latest projects, inviting to check out their businesses, or asking for donations. Why have I not done the same?

At the next Chamber event I attend, I will ask for advice and support on the best way to approach people about my narrative production.

Regardless of the responses, I have been grateful for being a Chamber member.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance

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

RSVPs for Premiere and International Help

I am thrilled by the support for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production, especially as I am starting to receive RSVPs despite the premiere being on February 9, 2009.

If you don't already know, I tend to stay up late--sometimes really late--because my brain seems to work better at that time. I received an instant message through Facebook from one of my friends in Salt Lake City. He inquired after the program and wondered if there was any way he could help.

I asked, "What do you have in mind?"

He wasn't sure so I asked about his strengths. It would make sense to compliment to what he knows best.

Through the conversation, I learned that he has international connections with performing artists. I mentioned that after the premiere I would like to tour the program. Perhaps he could help me take it to a global scale.

Regardless of what happens, he said that he was officially RSVPing for the event.

Now. . .have I RSVPed? You'll know if you go to the premiere!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance

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

Twitter, Facebook, & Ping.fm--Tantalizing Tools

I am officially on Twitter and Ping.fm. With Facebook, I am fairly new as my brother introduced and guided me with it the beginning of January 2008.

What I have seen for all of these sites excites me to the possibilities.

Several professional storytellers pioneered these sites long before I joined them, yet I am still considered part of the first wave to embrace it. With any technology there are the select few pioneers in the beginning, then the device turns mainstream and finally there are the resisters to change (often of the older generations though not always).

Not every tool must be embraced, as a certain level of caution is good if not healthy. Being unaware of tools, however, whether by choice or through ignorance, does little to forward an art or a performing artist in this matter.

My recent joining of Twitter and Ping.fm was influenced for the need to gain support for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" narrative production. Despite this fact, I have often said to fellow storytellers and performing artists that by promoting an event or project you are automatically promoting yourself. Even with 100% altruistic intentions, this naturally happens.

Here is an under two-and-a-half-minute YouTube video "Twitter in Plain English" posted by Lee LeFever--



As for networking online, here is Scott Bradley sharing "My Top 15 Networking Principles"--



For Ping.fm as well as some basic advice on how not to get overwhelmed by Internet tools, enjoy this video "Who pops your popcorn? 03 Ping.fm" presented by Shahar and Nashlah Boyayan--



I will share how I specifically use Twitter, Facebook, and Ping.fm in another post.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance

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