In our new Teleseminar entitled Storytelling: From Lackluster to Blockbuster (available on August 18th), Michael Hauge and I discussed 4 types of characters that can save your stories and make them MUCH more interesting.
In the following excerpt, you’ll hear about two of these characters and get a quick idea of the ways they can propel your stories to new heights. Once you listen to the 3-minute clip, feel free to reply to any or all of the questions below.
Questions About These Valuable Characters
Why do you think you shouldn’t be the Guru of your own story most of the time? There are exceptions of course.
When do you think it IS a GOOD time to be the Guru of your own story?
What are at least 2 ways the Reflection Character helps bring your story to life?
Even though you only heard a short part of our conversation about the Nemesis, how do you feel the Nemesis can make your story more intriguing?
Are you ready for August 18th?
On Tuesday August 18th, you’ll be able to pick up more than 35 storytelling tools, ideas, principles, and strategies that can make you a spellbinding storyteller whose message sticks. On that date, you’ll be able to access and download the Storytelling: From Lackluster to Blockbuster teleseminar replay (1 hour and 43 minutes long) that will likely change the way you see your stories and your speeches moving forward.
Note: I was going to wait until later this fall to release this teleseminar, but, when I went back and listened to it, I realized this content is too valuable to sit on and I felt compelled to release it sooner.
Craig, I cannot wait for this to become available. As you know, I have learned so much from you on the art of storytelling, and having Michael’s talents and knowledge added to yours is just amazing. I’m looking forward to having it be available!
Thanks Gary. I look forward to sharing it!
Hi Craig,
Really appreciated the additional insight about the value of these two characters. Looking forward to learning about the other two character types.
You asked the question about why the speaker should almost never be the guru of their own story. As you explained and we discussed in another of your platforms, speaker wants to appear similar to the audience. It’s the process that is special.
So I feel stumped on trying to identify an exception. The only possibility might be when someone (David) overcomes amazing odds to beat their nemesis (Goliath), and there really wasn’t an external guru. But in that case, the speaker would have to carefully demonstrate how the speaker is still not special, and perhaps the audience members are likely to have even more advantages than the speaker did. And the audience can take each of the same steps as the speaker to achieve their version of success.
Would that be the exception you are thinking of? Otherwise, I would love to know the exception you had in mind.
Can you give us a hint?
Meanwhile, looking forward to August 18 for the teleseminar replay.
Thanks again for yet another fresh look at these very common public speaking challenges!
Larry
Hi Larry! You can be the guru of your story if you’re not the hero of the story. There’s a big difference between the guru and the hero and I can spell it all out here but I think it will be much clearer on the teleseminar. However, here’s an example. You could tell a story about how you helped a client become a better presenter. The client would be the hero and you’d be the guru that gives the client advice (or a process). That way it’s not you giving yourself advice and then succeeding with it. Instead, it’s you giving the hero advice so he or she can succeed. In the teleseminar, I suggest telling quick back-to-back stories about how you learned the advice and then how you gave it. That way you’d continue to remain similar and not special. It will be much clearer on the teleseminar. Thanks Larry.
Can’t wait to hear the telesemiar … I am continually trying grow into a better speaker thanks you Craig
Hi Craig,
Thanks a lot for your detailed answer. That helps. Anyhow, I’d like to be one of the first 25 people to get the tele seminar. In fact, in Shanghai, China, it’s been August 18 all day. So I’ve been ready all day! Hope it becomes available before i go to sleep!
Larry
Thanks as always Craig. As I’ve said when I’ve posted here before the crossover between speakng and writing is amazing. As a novelist you’ve caused me to reflect on my in progress book to see that I have both the reflective and guru character and these reflections are essential as I move towards polishing my work. Also very useful as I develop Toastmasters speeches.