“We never tell stories at home anymore!” Storyteller Jo Radner hears this lament over and over again – and she is on a crusade to reverse the trend.
On Thursday, November 15, at the Madison Library, Radner will offer her popular workshop, “Family Stories Are Important! How (and Why) to Remember and Tell Them.” This New Hampshire Humanities Council program is free and open to the public, and will begin at 7 pm in the library’s John F. Chick Meeting Room.
In this era of multitasking, tweeting, texting, and other “social” media, broadcasting sometimes seems more common than conversation. “We communicate screen to screen more than face to face,” says Radner, “but we hunger for the simple give-and-take of telling and listening to stories.” Research has shown that storytelling gives much more than pleasure: it connects strangers, strengthens the links between generations, and gives children crucial sense of identity. Knowledge of family history has even been linked to better teen behavior and mental health.
During the workshop, participants will learn foolproof ways to mine their own memories and interview their relatives for engaging stories. In pairs and small groups they will practice finding, developing, and telling their own tales. “No one will be on the spot to perform,” says Radner, “but I guarantee that everyone will remember stories they want to share informally.”
Aimed at adults, the workshop will benefit anyone interested in investigating or remembering past events, writing memoirs, researching family history, or simply developing habits of meaningful conversation. Participants will leave with new ideas, new stories, and a handout of techniques and resources.