Every story, every idea, every dream, every reality begins with the image of an idea. Ideas and their images guide architects, business owners, choreographers, chefs and matchmakers into designing the reality of their skills.

But wait a minute. I’m a storyteller. The kind who digs up pre-printed, post-dated,
word-pressed stories. Rather like an archeologist digging up bodily-intact, non-fossilized,
post-living relics and specimens.  Yet, unearthing naturally preserved artifacts from ancient times, much like printing-pressed stories, are devoid of life. Pre-printed stories, while invaluable in their documentation are simply encrusted, fossilized relics of what they once were.  It’s you, the storyteller through the unique expression of your words, your experiences and your interaction with the story which makes this story come to life.

So grab, hail, nab or flag in the image of your idea.  An original story or a retelling of a traditional folk tale begins with an image. Hmm . . . well . . . maybe . . .

Puking wallabies’ in Australia
Fresh canned organic toast
Root blooming flowers
A frustrated prince’s search for Cinderella’s still missing foot.
A stepmother’s four accounts of attempted murder against her own seven-year-old
stepdaughter; Snow White.

Whatever the image of your idea is . . . have fun! Step into the image. Look around. Let it expand, shrink, melt, bloom, grow or spew in your mind’s eye. It’s perfect! What you start out with, may or may not be what you end up with.  Move beyond the words and move into the images of your story. Its images and their voice ignite in mind’s explosion of brain’s turbo fueled, creative engagement. Magically, as if coming out of nowhere, hidden dialogue, unexplored realities and un-circumvented, mind-hooking twists and turns leap into your conscious awareness. For it is here, where the reality of your story lies. A story which lies well beyond the printed-press documentation of someone else’s encrusted, fossilized words.

This leads us straight across the finish line. Yes! You are correct, the finish line; not the starting line. For any of us,  it’s hard to get there, or even get started, if we don’t know where we are going. So, for now, let’s start with the ending and end at the beginning.

As you have danced, fried, sautéed, scalped or otherwise romanced the image of your idea or main story point, ask yourself: Where I am going? Where or what is my destination? What would I like to see happen?

Then ask yourself: What do I like about where I am going?

Whether you are planning a family vacation, designing the latest in talking plant technology, writing up the analogs of life’s realities or working up your latest story; decide where you are going. See yourself, with the image of your idea, in its final stages. Moving forward allow the uniqueness of your voice, your experiences and your interaction with with the image of your idea and your story to propel you into it’s vibrant, non-fossilized, living reality.

Until next time . . . Let Your Storyographer’s Journey Begin!