Telling Your Own Stories

by Donald Davis

Telling Your Own Stories is designed for families, teachers, counselors, or anyone who wants to inspire storytelling either in themselves or in others. The book has proved useful for preachers, salespeople, conference and seminar presenters, librarians, scout leaders, and business motivators especially. Through a series of memory prompts, the user is led through the creation of plots, of place, and of characters. Donald Davis, one of Americas most prominent storytellers, offers his advice in this first "how-to" title.

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing

128 pages, Paperback

First published December 25, 1993

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the GoodReads database with this name. See this thread for more information.

Donald Davis (born 1944) is an American storyteller, author and minister. Davis had a twenty year career as a minister before he became a professional storyteller. He has recorded over 25 storytelling albums and written several books based on those stories. His long career as a teller and his promotion of the cultural importance of storytelling through seminars and master classes has led to Davis being dubbed the "dean of storytelling".

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you ever get the opportunity to hear gifted North Carolina storyteller, Donald Davis (http://www.ddavisstoryteller.com/), seize the chance to do so! He is a living treasure, a riveting teller who captures the fine details of life in Appalachia. Failing a personal appearance, there are many cds of his work available. This book is a collection of conversation starters that will elicit wonderful stories from your family and friends. Fans of the StoryCorps project and anyone working on a family history project will find this little book invaluable.

[Sandy Young · Rating 5 out of 5]

Two other ladies and I are using this book for prompts in our writers' group. I've seen lots of books of prompts, but this one is the best. The author introduces each section with a discussion of why we are being given the prompts that follow. In the prompts, he asks questions, such as: Can you remember a trip that you wouldn't want to take again? Can you remember a night that your parents never found out about? Can you remember a time when you totally forgot an important date or appointment? I read the book straight through. Now I need to go back and do more writing. I highly recommend this book for anyone who needs a prompt now and then in her writing!

[Samuel · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some very interesting exercises and prompts, as well as an excellent and concise explanation of what makes a story. It's more than twenty years old now, and could stand an update to reflect the fact that video recording, for example, is within most people's power. Still worthwhile though, and it made me want to try and capture some of my family's stories.

[Miz Lizzie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by a master storyteller, this little book is like a workshop in a book for telling personal and family stories. Though the expected story-prompt questions are scattered throughout, what sets this book apart is the emphasis on shaping and telling your stories.

[Ken · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great coaching and prompting book for learning to craft and tell your own stories. I remember watching a TV series hosted by the author on telling your story and that encouraged me to get and read this book.

[Michaelann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some really nice gems of storytelling wisdom that I'll be applying to my projects. Quick and easy read.

[Robin Dawes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent little work-book to help the reader get started on turning life experiences and memories into family stories to pass along.

[Michelle Wilson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was quite informative I was surprised. I guess its like they say don't judge a book by its cover! I do feel I judged it by its shortness though. I really enjoyed his prompts for writing and felt they gave me some great ideas. I would definitely recommend this book especially when you are trying to write about family stories it was very helpful in this aspect as well as learning to describing with all your senses in your stories.

[Yvonne Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Donald Davis is a great storyteller. Go to a storytelling festival where he is appearing and you will fall in love with story telling if you haven't already. This is a small guide book for prodding questions for family history and family stories

[Suzanne Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I recommended this book to my WISE Woman Book Club, an eclectic group of women that I thought would benefit from the this wonderful gem of a book by master storyteller Donald Davis. The stories shared from prompts within the book were fun, funny and heartwarming. Love this book!

[Webfrau · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is short and sweet but makes some really thought-provoking points about how story-telling is much more than just words. Highly recommended for all memory keepers.

[Margie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phenomenal. Short. A must read for any would be storyteller and anyone who loves storytelling.