Telling a story is a sharpened skill that even the greatest storyteller, Mark Twain, was noted for. According to Andy Hunt, author of ‘The Pragmatic Programmer’, “The storyteller doesn’t rely on “colorful” language, but instead on the power of story, moving the emotions through a dramatic arc and often conveying messages of morals and values.” But, how do you learn the art of telling a story? In this article, we delve into the various tools of the storyteller, exploring how to tell a story like Mark Twain.
Mark Twain is known for his ability to capture a story and make it come alive without ever being dull. In his writings, he shows the power of a story to evoke emotion, using rich details to engage both the heart and the mind. It is said that Twain had an amazing ability to visualize a story before writing it, allowing him to capture its essence. To do this, Twain’s stories make use of full-fledged characters and scenes created around a conflict. Twain rarely did not include a lesson in his stories, which is something we can all learn from.
To tell a riveting story like Mark Twain, you need to be an effective listener. It doesn’t matter what you are talking about, listening to the rhythm and content of the conversation is essential. Here, you need to pay close attention to the body language, associations, and mannerisms of your audience. By studying them, you can gain a better understanding of how they react to the story and create a tailored narrative.
It is also important to develop a strong narrative voice. A well-crafted voice will help you provide clarity and coherence to your story, as well as impart emotion to your words. You also need to use carefully selected details to bring the story alive. To do this, you must create vivid pictures in your reader’s mind so they feel a connection with your story. Be sure to use a range of descriptive words, as this will help you free your imagination and ultimately create a more captivating story.
When crafting stories like Mark Twain, it is essential to create a tight structure. This means focusing on the different elements that make up a storyline—the characters, settings, plot points, conflicts, and climax. It is also useful to make use of metaphors and similes to describe the narrative. Here, Twain often used metaphorical language to emphasize a moral lesson in his stories, which is particularly effective when telling stories with a wider societal message.
Additionally, Twain excelled at using dialogue to foreshadow the plot or hint at turning points. Here, it is important to use dialogue that is realistic and true to the characters you are crafting, as this will help to engage your listener. As a rule, dialogue should always be active and dynamic, taking your reader’s attention from one point to the next.
Take Risks
As with any skill, the more you practice and the more risk you are willing to take, the more you will improve. To take risks, it is important to break away from the safety net of habit and consider fresh approaches. This includes leaving your comfort zone and experimenting with different structures and ideas. For example, use rhetorical questions to encourage your audience to question certain elements of your story and engage them on a deeper level.
Avoid Predictability
Mark Twain wrote stories that were unpredictable and gripping. He mastered the skill of crafting stories that constantly twist and turn, so the listener never knows what is going to happen next. To avoid predictability and keep the listener engaged, use different settings, alter the personality of the characters, play with emotions, and provide unexpected solutions to the story.
Invoke Memories
Something masterful about Twain’s work is his ability to invoke memories and feelings in his stories. He used objects, characters and storylines to bring up a wide range of emotions that would stay with the readers long after they’d finished the story. To do this, draw your audience in with laughs, cries, calmness, joy and more, creating a thrilling mixture of emotions that will ultimately captivate them.
Create vivid Imagery
We already mentioned that Twain was a master of vivid imagery, as he could make scenes come alive with just a few words. To create vivid imagery, ensure any descriptions are succinct and convey the right message, making it easier for your audience to engage and recall key elements of the story. Drawing on the five senses can be particularly effective, as this will help to make the story more dynamic, captivating, and memorable.
Start Strong and End with a Bang
The beginning of a story must be captivating and set the tone for the upcoming events. The same goes for the conclusion, here the ending should be powerful and memorable to leave the audience with something to think about for hours after the story has concluded. Make sure to use rhetoric and clever wordplay to make your story stick in the minds and hearts of your readers.
Use the Power of Suspense
The power of suspense is an essential tool of any storyteller. When used correctly, such as in Twain’s stories, it can create an ongoing tension that builds emotion and excitement during the story. To do this, interweave short-term suspense with long-term suspense, creating a dramatic story that always keeps the listener guessing.
