Practice Makes the Story: Why the Let Me Tell Ya! Guild Matters

I'll confess something: I've gotten lazy.

Not with my storytelling performances—I still show up, tell my tales, and connect with audiences. But with my practice? That's another story entirely. I've become so comfortable with many of my pieces that I've stopped putting in the rehearsal time they deserve. I know my stories well enough to get by, and somewhere along the way, "well enough" became enough.

Then I recently listened to a February 2019 episode of Conversations with Storytellers where Simon Brooks interviewed Elizabeth Ellis, and her words stopped me in my tracks.

Elizabeth Ellis was my first storytelling instructor, and I have tremendous respect for her. She could rightfully be called the Godmother of Traditional Storytelling, and for good reason—her influence on the craft and on countless tellers like myself is immeasurable. So when she spoke about her wish that storytellers would take their trade more seriously, particularly when it comes to the hours we dedicate to practicing our craft, I had to listen.

She compared us to dancers, who spend countless hours each week in rehearsals, refining their movements, building their strength, and perfecting their art. When was the last time I treated my storytelling with that same level of dedication?

The truth stung because it was true. And coming from the woman who first taught me this craft? It stung even more.

A Space to Practice

This is exactly why spaces like the Let Me Tell Ya! Storytelling Guild are so vital to our community. Meeting every second Tuesday at 7:00 PM (ET), the Guild offers something we all need but don't always seek out: a welcoming place to practice.

This isn't a performance venue where everything needs to be polished and perfect. It's a gathering where stories come to life in their messy, uncertain, still-forming stages. It's where you can share a story-in-progress and receive supportive feedback guided by three beautifully simple questions:

• What did we like?

• Where did we get hung up?

• What did we want more of?

These questions create a framework that's both honest and encouraging—the kind of feedback that helps us grow without crushing the creative spirit that brought the story into being in the first place.

For Tellers and Listeners Alike

Whether you're a seasoned teller looking to refine a new piece or a curious listener who simply loves the art form, you're invited. Even if you don't have a story to share, your presence as an engaged listener is valuable. Storytelling doesn't happen in a vacuum—it requires an audience, and learning to listen with intention is its own important skill.

This is our rehearsal space. Our dance studio. Our place to put in those hours that Elizabeth Ellis reminded us we need—the hours she taught me to value from the very beginning.

So mark your calendar for the next gathering. Dust off that story you've been meaning to work on, or come ready to support others with your attention and honest feedback. Let's take our craft as seriously as it deserves—together.

After all, the stories won't tell themselves. And they certainly won't get better without practice.

Let Me Tell Ya! Storytelling Guild

Every second Tuesday at 7:00 PM (ET)

Next Meeting: Tuesday, February 10th at 7:00

pm (ET)

RSVP through Eventbrite to get a reminder email and help to increase our visibility.

See you there. I know I need to be.