The One Mistake That Ruins a Good Story
Telling a story is painting with words.
That being said, it’s a good idea to paint sparingly.
I remember sitting in a college class with a professor who could not get to the point. On the way to any verbal destination, he would take innumerable detours, which often terminated at dead ends.
But the time he finally arrived at his point, you had forgotten his premise, and wouldn’t have cared even if you hadn’t.
He loved to tell stories. He just sucked at it.
Less is more.
If storytelling is painting with words, it is important to remember that in many ways, less is more. The storyteller invites their audience into the story by providing only enough details to create a moment in their mind’s eye. They will then fill in the details and be in the story with you.
In the example of my college professor, I did not describe the room or even the professor. I didn’t tell you that he was tall, with white hair and glasses, and that he always wore corduroy jackets. Those details were not important to the story in this case.
By leaving them out, I allowed you, the reader, to picture the room and the professor in any way you chose. You very likely filled in those details with ones from your own memory. That’s how it works.
There might be times when describing a person’s appearance is necessary for telling the story. In that case, do it. You have creative freedom. You decide what’s needed.
Good storytellers paint with the correct amount of detail.
They leave everything else out. And yet, it’s not so much that we leave everything else out. It’s more about inviting the audience to paint with you.
When I tell the story of coming out of Walmart and forgetting where I parked my car, I don’t immediately disclose what kind of car I drive. I’m inviting my audience to picture their own car, like you just did.
When I tell the story of a tense conversation with a barista in a coffee shop, I don’t tell the audience which coffee shop.
When I talk about sitting at the kitchen table, talking to my daughter, I don’t describe the tablecloth or the pictures on the wall. My audience has their own table and pictures. That’s where I want them when I’m telling my story.
Adding too many details robs your audience both of clarity and imagination.
Good storytelling invites them inside of the narrative, to see themselves, and go along the journey with you.
Here are some simple questions to ask about the story you’re working on:
What is the point of this story?
Where does it take place?
What details are needed in order to build the world in my audience’s mind?
Can I leave that detail out, and still have a good story?
Am I leaving room for the audience to paint with me?
The quickest way to ruin a good story is by adding too many details. Now you know. Go tell a great story today!
If you’d like to grow as a storyteller, I offer 1-1 coaching sessions to help you learn. Reach out today, and we can talk about what works best for you.
I also host virtual storytelling workshops from time to time. I’d love to invite you in to one of those. You can sign up here to be notified when the next one is available.
