—"Year of the Adopted Family" book release
Showing posts with label series. Show all posts
Showing posts with label series. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 22, 2009

Inspiration: It Starts With One Story


The Family Famine Series started with one story.

Then another story.

Then another story.

Finally, by 2014 I hope to have 120 new stories in the series.

But is that the end? Of course not.

Something as basic--and precious--as family relationships touch our souls with intensity.

Despite the new stories that will be part of this Family Famine Series, you could say that there is an "ancestral" story that has been the foundation even before I officially named this series.

As a sophomore in high school, I told my first official story entitled "Big Kihuo, Little Kihuo" from the Vakishamba people in Africa. At the time, I was fascinated by the not-so-happy-yet-satisfying ending. The father and son relationship also made me curious.

Since creating the Family Famine Series, I have returned to this story. As a student I connected with the adolescent Kihuo, the son. As a 30-year-old, I ponder more about the father--or at least about parents in general.

Yes, my husband and I do not have kids yet. We are in the middle of the adoption process. Though knowing that perhaps in the next six to twelve months we have have a little one in the home, I wonder what kind of relationship I will have with my children.

As they grow older, will I acknowledge their independence?

Will I provide room for their creativity to bloom?

Would they feel comfortable coming to me in need?

A story told shares more about the storyteller than the culture from which it came.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman

Professional Storyteller

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

URL: http://www.rachelhedman.com/

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

Family Famine Series Site: http://www.familyfamine.com/
Fan Page: http://www.facebook.com/rachelfans
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller

Monday, October 13, 2008

Volumes upon Volumes: Never-ending Programs


Eric Wolf reminded me how important it is to have volumes or series in connection to a CD, DVD, book or even a program. Already I am thinking how to apply this thought to "Family Famine: Hunger for Love".

This brainstorming was inspired while listening to the "Panel on the Future of Storytelling Online" from the 2008 National Storytelling Conference that Eric Wolf posted on his "The Art of Storytelling with Children" podcast and blog. Wolf led the panel and I was honored to be invited on it to talk about blogs. Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo focused on podcasts while Mary Margaret O’Connor shared thoughts on iTales.com and downloads. Finally, Fred Crowe revealed some of the Internet international scene. Karen Chace provided a hyperlinked handout of website resources and sites that assist storytellers.

Amongst all the wonderful advice Wolf shared, he mentioned how he has a Fairy Tales Forever storytelling set. He keeps the same name when he adds to the series with labels of "Volume 1", "Volume 2", etc.

This means the first DVD, CD, books, etc. that I put out about "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" will share that concept. People will know that I plan for more to come. As Wolf challenged, "It's time storytellers go back to Old Time Radio", which promotes that idea that the program ends with satisfaction though there is still a kind of cliffhanger to see and hear more.

My volumes could be connected with specific themes. For example, one show could focus more on orphans and adoption through family folktales while another volume could delve into child abuse through stories while another could focus on husband/wife relationships--all under the same name as "Family Famine: Hunger for Love". Geographical elements could be added such as one that had all North American stories while another had all Asian stories.

It's nice to decide this now so the first label reflects the goals of the future.

Thank you, Eric Wolf, for your genius!

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman
Professional Storyteller
Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance
Tel: (801) 870-5799
Email: info@rachelhedman.com
Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com
Other places to find me: Twitter, YouTube, Facebook, LinkedIn, Professional Storyteller