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

Flying Forward with the Premiere Logo

So far most things are coming along for the "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" premiere, but I still do not have a logo for it.

I did not even have anyone lined up to create it. . .until today.

Wendy Gourley, a storytelling friend, recommended Dawn Bloxham to create my logo. Dawn was the same lady who developed the "Mockingbird Fly" posters and fliers for Wendy. I liked them because they were crisp, clean, and professional.



Wendy gave her telephone number and so the journey started.

I explained my project and how it was connected to "My Finest Hour" assigned by Elizabeth Ellis through the Advanced Storytelling class of the East Tennessee State University Storytelling Masters program.

Then I asked if there was a student rate.

She said her usual rate was $75.00/hour, though she could give me a student rate of $50.00/hour. She expected the project to take from 3-4 hours as I requested her to create the posters and postcards.

At the end of the logo creation process, she would supply the files with the original artwork and layered so I could adjust any images for other needs such as a program or to tweak the poster for touring as by then it would no longer be called "premiere".

She promised that she would would send some concept ideas as long as I gave her required information for the poster and postcard as well as any other information that would be useful.

I am anxious to see what develops. How about you?

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

"Message in a Bottle" approach to Story Marketing

Instead of throwing a bottle into the sea and hoping someone will respond by mail, the Internet has transformed how people can communicate through chain objects in what has been dubbed "serial collaborations".

I am convinced of the marketing potential in these trends.


Have you heard of any of the following?--

• BookCrossing
• Geocaching
• Letter Boxing
• Flat Stanley
• Travel Mascots
• Where's George?
• Travel Bugs
• Roaming Gnomes

Rather than dreaming of the places that your object has traveled, ID numbers are connected to the item before being "set free" so that when people find them, they can register it online.

My Dad and brother have GPS systems and so they occasionally geocache. Sometimes Mom goes along if the quest sounds exciting enough. I went once with my parents.

I was amazed to discover the different types of serial collaborations as shared by Lynne McNeill while at the "Metamorphoses: An International Colloquium on Narrative and Folklore" on the University of Utah campus held from October 2-5. She is a professor of English and Folklore from Utah State University and presented her paper "Message in a Bottle: The Unspoken Narrative of Serial Collaboration." She has also written "Portable Places: Serial Collaboration and the Creation of a New Sense of Place" published through Western Folklore in Summer 2007, which you can find here.

The intrigue lies in that the communication is blindly put out in the world in search of another like-minded individual. McNeill saw the interaction as "serendipitous and meaningful but not burdensome" as communicating with strangers does not require any maintenance of the friendship.

My mind raced as how storytellers could use these serial collaborations to promote the art, or even a specific program such as my "Family Famine: Hunger for Love."

As I gather more stories and decide what ones will be shared for my narrative production, I would like to publish a book. Whether it would be self-published or done through a publishing company is yet to be seen. However, if I were to "release" the book through BookCrossings, I could watch its travels around the world and receive comments as to the stories within.

I asked McNeill, "Wouldn't it be great if there were more books of folktale collections out there?" She nodded her head and could tell the direction I was going with it.

If we worry that kids or even adults are reading as much of these folktales as we would like, why not send some out through BookCrossings? If each storyteller put out at least one book and each book reaches at least 10 people, can you see the potential?

I would urge the same idea for any storyteller/author. Every time you publish a book, send at least one copy through BookCrossings. You could even "release" the books from different spots as you tour. People would comment after reading it and perhaps these comments could be used for marketing materials.

This idea has a fun factor that, if done by many storytellers, could transform into a phenomenon.

Now I challenge you to think of the other types of serial collaborations listed above and think how a storyteller could apply them.

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

Beyond the Premiere: Touring

Today I learned that I did not receive the $1000 grant to attend the Arts Northwest Booking Conference for performing artists given through the Utah Arts Council.

Despite the disappointment, I was unaware of the event before the UAC offered a workshop about the event last week. If nothing else, this opportunity reminded me to think beyond the premiere and the touring that will follow.

In part of the notification email from the UAC it said, "a letter will be forthcoming with more information. We have entered your information in our database so that you may be notified of upcoming professional development and funding opportunities provided by the Utah Arts Council."

I am anxious for the letter.

Writing a grant proposal is often successful after more than one attempt at it. Some people give up when given a rejection, though for me it only makes me more determined. I may not be able to attend the Arts Northwest Booking Conference this year, yet there is always 2009.

Besides, even if I had gone to the conference, I was too late to be part of the showcases that features dancers, musicians, theatre groups, as well as the occasional professional storyteller.

I asked Karen Hanan, the Executive Director of Arts Northwest, how often storytelling is featured at the conference. She mentioned that Diane Ferlatte had performed for them before. No other names were given. It seems that out of 30 possible showcases maybe one spot would go to a storyteller.

Karen continued that well over 400 people and growing attend the conference with about a 2 to 1 ratio of performing artist to sponsor. This gives the sponsors chances to connect with many different people who could possibly be invited to their venues.

To apply for the 2009 Arts Northwest Booking Conference showcases, the call goes out in January and due by March. I intend to submit portions of "Family Famine: Hunger for Love" as only 20 minutes are given to each artist.

Perhaps I will get that one storyteller slot. Or maybe the Arts Northwest will give more chances for storytellers as our art becomes more visible.

Until we tell again,

Rachel Hedman
Professional Storyteller
Co-Chair of Youth, Educators, and Storytellers Alliance
(801) 870-5799
info@rachelhedman.com
http://www.rachelhedman.com
How-To Blog: http://storytellingadventures.blogspot.com
Performance Blog: http://familyfamine.blogspot.com