Category Archives: Story-spirations!

Automobile Story Starters

Posted on by Grace Wolbrink

legs-434918_1280This year’s, annual Auto-Mechanical Gas Guzzler’s Explo, features the latest in green automotive design and short-circuits in legislated, auto-emission standards. Participants from around the globe come to expand their knowledge base, spark their curiosity or succumb to their boss’s ultimatums. The percussion marketing of highly polished, gas guzzling cars, fuel the images of our mind’s internal dialogue:

“Too expensive.”
“Divorce court vs. motorized euphoria; weighing the options.”
“I know I can do it! At sixty plus hours of overtime each week, within 10 years, it will be mine!”
“Ignition key to dating ease. . . “

A car is a car. This is until the images story make this four-wheeled, prefabricated creation more than a standard, off-the-assembly line motorized vehicle. Emotion, meaning, change and drama transform this image into a story. Now rolling off the pre-assembled memory-lined banks of our mind’s eye, this car becomes an animated piece, part or aspect of our daily lives. For some it may become a career path while for others a fatality. No matter what its course, our car’s talk makes our story’s run; thus turning our prefabricated, motorized transportation into more than just a car.

One example of an image’s story-ification process is the ever dreaded, ill-fated, driver’s education road test. The very one which currently separates us from the constricted confines of parent approved, chauffeur services from the world of driver-independent, motorized freedom. The big day arrives. Masterfully fastening our seat belts and turning the key, reality hits. The reality of having locked ourselves inside a small metallic,
four-wheeled, accelerating, motorized structure with a complete stranger. One who has been exclusively state appointed and solely invested with the power to welcome us into the sacred realm of independent drivers; or to condemn us into retaking the dreaded, ill-fated road test yet again. At this point, the simple image of a car becomes the vividly vibrant foundation of this story’s unfolding.

Research and informational presentations deal primarily with facts. Story and story-based communication encompasses images, emotion and change. The place where life is as it is, change happens and life as it was, will never again be the same.

So . . . what is the story behind your first car?

What was your first car like?

Was it your dream car, filled with the tantalizing aroma of new car smell? The very one now adding a much needed jump start to your social life and a unexpected, fueled-spark of ignition to your love life.

. . . OR . . .

Was it a state of the arts jalopy, beater or rattletrap? The one where rubberized floor-mats strategically covered the rust-eaten-holes in your car’s floorboards; separating you from road spray’s loose debris and soggy splash backs.

What ever image you choose, fill it with emotion, suspense and intrigue. Then pile in and enjoy the ride into your next story’s adventurous unfolding.

Expect taken from Break Out Storytelling: A Leap off the Page Guide to Telling a Story by Grace Wolbrink.

Until next time . . . Let your Storyographer’s Journey Continue!

Take the Plunge – The Annual Toliet Paper Roll Off

Posted on by Grace Wolbrink

 

 

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Stories are as stories were. Their propelling magnetism, mystifying allure, and ever thickening plot lines interlace with their dastardly daring, humorously dislodging and mischievously deceptive adventures. Each one offering a unique portal of uncharted exploration. Whether it’s up the chimney, down the toilet or through the drain pipe, story’s magical allure draws each of us into the moment of now. Into the presence of story’s reality.

It’s the eve of this year’s annual Toilet Paper Roll Off. Circling the stadium, ardent fans arrive papered with discarded catalogs, farm’s almanacs and outdated magazines. Stadium watchers plunge through the night sopping up previously read reading material, engaging in inspired inner reflection and jamming to piping hot tunes. At day break ardent fans, later joined by cheering crowds, fill stadium seats.

Four pre-a-plyed teams represent this year’s, internationally acclaimed, Toilet Paper Roll Off. Announcers’ rallying voices mark the official unwrapping of this annual event. Fans tear it up. Sponsors pay it out. Manufactures cash it in.

Stirring up the bowls, this year’ tubular sensations include;

The City of Nottingham’s  Tax-a-Coin Profiteers, in gold;
Sherwood Forest’s Merrily Heisting Bandits in green, and
The internationally acclaimed, racing legends: Hares’ Rival Racers in orange, and Tortoises’Terrestrial Centenarians in khaki tan uniforms.

Sheets of pre-embossed, standardized, prefabricated rolls of perforated paper, line the playing field. Pre-event tension sparks opposition between opposing teams.

Fans wait in tanked anticipation. Questioning wonderment fills the stadium. Will Sherwood Forest’s Merrily Heisting Bandits steal the trophy from Nottingham’s Tax-a-Coin Profiteers or will the Hares’ Rival Racers leap ahead, securing a victory over Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centurions? In the final round, who will handle the plunge of victory  in the celebrated swirl of the grand flush?

Working the crowds, the City of Nottingham’s Tax-a-Coin Profiteers confiscate
ill-gained, game-watcher, tax revenues. Standing on the sidelines Sherwood Forest’s Merrily Heisting Bandits are cleaning up on their Up to the Tank, charity bowl donations.

Crashing stadium food stands, Hares’ hungry Rival Racers tank up; prior to, instead of during, this event. Dodging solar rays, Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centurions shell up under stacked stadium seating.

Wrapping up this event’s charity donations, in an unprecedented, bowl-marked decision, Sherwood Forest’s Merrily Heisting Bandits have forfeited their place in this years Toilet Paper Roll Off. Rumors around the bowl indicate a now, unguarded, fair maiden’s kiss awaits their return.

Rolling up, minutes prior to the official roll off, two more event-plying teams submit their applications.

Announcers’ officially welcome the ever popular, yet controversial, Troll Bridge Goat Guzzlers, in blue, and the Fields of Green Butting Billies, in grey.

Tearing up this year’s fans, another, unprecedented, bowl-marked decision blares through stadium speakers. Pending an unanimous vote, the City of Nottingham’s Tax-a-Coin Profiteers have been disqualified due to illegal, bowl-taxing, revenue gains. Thus taking the competition back down from a five-ply to a four-ply event.

Horn’s blare, announcing the official roll off of this year’s, annual competition. Swirling into center field gush the Troll Bridge Goat Guzzlers and the Fields of Green Butting Billies. Dispensing with the traditional layers of protection and tubular roll-wear; saliva-leaking Troll Bridge Goat Guzzlers roll on single-ply bibs. Lowering their brows, bearing their horns, the Field of Green Butting Billies charge ahead. Horrified, referees plunge foreword, stopping-up premeditated rule violators. Disqualifying penalties officially flush the Troll Bridge Goat Guzzlers and the Field of Green Butting Billies out of this year’s Roll Off.

Once again horns blare. Announcers’ voices waver. Tanked tensions mount. Eyes narrow. Torso’s cringe. Above the bowls, Hares’ Rapid Racers lie tanked; overstuffed on ill-gotten, stadium’s, food stand’s, prepackaged cuisine. Below stadium seating Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centurions remain shelled and snoring. Crowds hiss. Ardent fans boo. Referees pace. More horns blare.

Startled, Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centenarians jolt forward. Bleachers quake. Stadium seats wobble. Audience members topple. Screaming sirens on rescue vehicles stream in from the sidelines.

Spilling-out, onto the field, non-a-plyed, ardent fans put on roll-wears and layer on protection. Prepared, Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centenarians mark their places on the playing field.

Horns blare. Crowds cheer. Announcers announce. Brushing-it-up, ardent fans take the plunge. Swirling onto the playing field, they tuber-ly roll through perforated, multi-ply-ed paper mounds, crest high on overflowing water basins and round out clogged pipe-ways. Team players skillfully dodge protruding bristles, low-flowing Terrestrial Centenarians and unseasoned, self-dispensing, ardent fans. Skidding into the final roll off, crowds seize. Announcers forget to breath. Barely a-ply between these two teams, announcers fear the worst. A non-tie breaking, duel flush could compost this year’s closing ceremonies.

Horns blare. Crowds cheer. Announcers’ voices boom. Victorious, winning by a splinter, ardent fans clean up and wrap up this year’s, annual, Toilet Paper Roll Off.

Wearing her aftermarket glass slippers, Cinderella’s legendary, fairy godmother wands in this year’s closing ceremonies. Horns blare. Crowds cheer. Announcers announce. Hurling onto the porta-podium, ardent fans enthusiastically accept the famed Golden Plunger Award.

Staked, packed and layered, Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centenarians unite on the porcelain throne. Horns blare. Crowds cheer. Dropping her wand, Cinderella’s fairy god-mother pulls the handle. The toilet flushes. Toilet water swirls. Failing to make the bend, Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centenarians clog closing ceremonies. They overflow surrounding drain pipes and purge local sewage systems.

No horns blare. No crowds cheer. No announcers announce. Cinderella’s fairy godmother is wiped out. Hares’ Rapid Racers run. Crowds stampede. Furious, ardent fans blow their lids. De-shelled and shivering, but no longer clogged or plugged; now retired, Tortoises’ Terrestrial Centurions withdraw from next year’s competition. Sponsors bail. Manufactures get it covered.

Tales of Tales
Robin Hood
Tortoise and the Hare
Three Billy Goats Gruff
Cinderella

Off the Roll Trivia
November 19 marks the World Toilet Day aimed at bringing awareness and inspired action to world sanitation issues.

An overflowing thanks goes to Sir John Harrington, in 1596, for inventing the first flushing lavatory! Fortunately for us, while folks in the mid-centuries put a thumbs down to the idea, folks living in the late 19th century loved it. They improved it and they institutionalized the use of it, giving it a double thumbs up.

Rolling ahead, in 1935, Northern Tissue advertised the first of its kind; splinter free tp.

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

 

 

 

 

 

 

Story – Equals Meaning

Posted on by Grace Wolbrink

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It hits. An idea emerges. Our bain cells salivate. Our creativity surges. Our imaginations soar.

OK, it’s been emphasized a million times over; the images of story guide and direct listeners to the location, the characters, and the adventures of its journey. Storytelling, being an interactive art form, connects its listeners and storytellers with the vivid imagery of story’s unfolding.

Specializing in the recording and the compartmentalization of information, our minds detail the stories and the ideas of our live’s fated and ill-fated escapades.  We use words to describe them. We use feelings to intensify them. Words, combined with emotions, add meaning and life to the images they describe.

So, what is the image of your idea or story . . . ?

An ostrich-legged cantaloupe spewing sunflower seeds from the top of an inchworm . . .

A family returns to the smoldering carcass of what they once called home . . .

A multi-legged, roving machine gobbles landfill rubbish, before transforming it into clean air, home heating units . . .

The image, or focal point, becomes the backdrop for the advancing parade of characters and their escapades. Story breathes reality and life to our ideas.

Let the images of an idea or story be your guide. See them walk, hear them talk and fly when trouble hits. Emerse your ideas and images with meaning; the reasons why; the justification who, what or how it happened; the excuses for their existence or the story of their reality. Fill them with emotion. Envision the possibilities. Then experience their reality.

Our story’s talk ignites the creativity which spurs the images of our ideas and stories into action.

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

Story – Creative Lawlessness

Posted on by Grace Wolbrink

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Through the power of story, political figureheads, tax regulators, law enforcers, socially perceived hierarchy, culturally-defined norms, bosses, supervisors, parental units and rigamortis impact the course of our life experiences. Story artists throughout the centuries have creatively conspired to orchestrate, direct, lead, dominate, choreograph and otherwise differentiate between the lawfully lawful and the law abiding lawlessness of story. Through the power of story cannibalism moves beyond its perceived cultural preferences, war-lording chiefs and individual menu planners. Questing, never thought they would make it, heroes’ embark on tantalizing bean-stalking, mirror-talking, troll-defying and glass-shoeing adventures. Acrobats death defying feats; athletes epic-sagas; noodle-heads’ rampaging insolence and individuals’ hilarious, gut-hugging escapades frequently challenge previously perceived, story-inspired, social norms and morays.

Scientific discoveries and inventors’ inventions become real through the image of story’s powerful impact. Story; a place where the world becomes round and the planet’s sun takes center stage. A place where jet propelled engines take flight and motorized vehicles storm roadways. A place where towered-connected cellular devises interface human connections. Story; the place where we go beyond the boundaries of what we thought we could do or what we thought was possible.

Stepping into your story’s story-line, experience and embrace the lawfully lawlessness and compelling intrigue of story’s creative inspirations. Step beyond the perceived boundaries of someone else’s words or where you think this story should go. Lawfully respect your audience’s values while lawlessly unleashing the uniqueness of your ideas, your inspiring voice and your breathlessly-intriguing, story-inspirations. Inspire, experience and enrich story’s powerfully, magnetic journey.

Take a quick review:

What first sparked your interest in this story?
What is the most important part or aspect of this story to you?
What do you love most about this story?
What else is possible?

Now reconnect with the images of your story’s story.

Would the story spark more or further dynamically impact audience members if it started at the end or ended in at the beginning?

What might happen if the story was told from another character’s voice or perspective?

Is the main character as strong, sassy, silly, introspective or insane as they appear or don’t appear to be?

Did it really happen this way . . . or maybe, just maybe . . . it happened; yet another way.

So dive, drive, fly, squeak, spurt, float, bob or belly-flop into your next story’s adventure. Remember, it’s your story to tell, in only the way you can. Enjoy, experience and soar into the journey of your story’s images. Boldly break into the lawfully lawlessness of story and the unprecedented uniqueness of your creative inspiration.

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

Story Starters – Egg House Demolition

Posted on by Grace Wolbrink

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In the beginning, there was the chicken and there was the egg. After the beginning, there were chickens and there were eggs.  The two, once melded into one, range in variety, size, shape and color. Their destination predominantly lies between the thermostats of incubation and refrigeration; often leading to some type of incineration. Throughout centuries intellectual thought and philosophical debate collide in their attempts to answer one of life’s most sought-after questions: Who or what came first; the chicken or the egg?

Questions ignite images. Images ignite questions. From inception to completion, images become story’s vehicle. We can either begin or end with an egg; one of nature’s perfect, metaphorically designed, housing units. Inside it’s universally recognized structure, local residents are deposited, encapsulated in a shell, as opposed to steel, brick, wood or mortar. A highly crackable shell containing a mixture of two-toned, globular masses of stringy ooze. External climate control largely determines its fated or ill-fated destiny; often ranging from procreation to culinary delight. If this residential unit is kept precisely at mother nature’s recommended temperature, the kind suggested for incubation vs refrigeration, this two-toned masses of gobbler ooze begins their metaphoric journey into realms of chicken-dom. Along the way, their ooze glopping mass begins acquiring a uniquely designed collection of feathers, beaks, eyes, legs, claws and one of two stamps indicating gender-identity.

Having survived their climate-controlled, incubation and shape-shifting process, home demolition begins; one peck and scratch at a time.  Immediately following the home demolition phase of shell-shocking reality, this young shell hatching resident prepares for chicken-hood. A journey and a career path often lead to the procreation of egg hatchery or one leading to being the invited guest of honor at a local, backyard, grill.

Overtaken in a moment of insane insanity, you find yourself frantically peeking through and scratching holes into your now fragmented home. The only residence you’ve ever known. It’s not only your home being shattered; one peck at a time, but your previously perceived reality, your essence and your identity. The final shell falls. Looking back is no longer an option. Gathering your courage and securing an imprint-able guide, you forge ahead. You forge ahead into a world, a land and a frontier you never knew existed, until now. The existence which has become your new reality.

Story-Spirations!

  • You are mysteriously transported from one local to another; immobilized in mass of two-toned, glopping ooze . . .
  • Trapped without visible connection to an external reality, you have nowhere to go, except, where you have never been before . . .
  • Escape plan, not knowing what lies on the other side . . .
  • Once you arrive, needing, but not knowing who or what will be there to guide you . . . now showing you what are you likely to gain, to learn or to lose.
  • How is the end of this journey different from the beginning?
  • What has changed through the course of this journey?
  • What was the best part?
  • What was the worst part?
  • What has been gained, learned or lost through this process?

Feel and experience the reality of the image(s). Allow these new images, emotions and feelings to emerge. Briefly record this image-filled journey of a story and enjoy the basis of your next, image-filled, story oozing with all its engaging unsuspecting crazy, zany, terrifying, creepy and mysterious tips and turns. The best part? It is your story, so tell it or crack it like it is; in only the way you can!

Until next time . . . Let your Storyographer’s journey begin!