Storytelling
“If you have survived childhood, you have stories, a whole library of them”
A good storyteller knows how to take an audience on a ride. Where to start, how to transition, what to share, what to withhold are all crucial choices a good storyteller must consider.
Just like it's not enough to put the ingredients of a meal into a bowl and serve it to your guests, it's not enough to just tell the events of the story. Your story needs preparation, seasoning, mixing, and presentation.
Preparation: Think about how where your story should start and end. How much context is needed before telling the story? What does your audience already know; what do they need to know?
Seasoning: Start by writing a draft where you just tell the events, then add "seasoning". The more seasoning the better: imagery, reflections, what was going on internally, humorous analogies, etc.
Mixing: A lot of stories will be told chronologically, but that's not the only option. Consider mixing things up. You also need to blend the events and "seasoning" together in a way that will best serve the story.
Presentation: Tone, body language, volume, pacing...all of these elements of presentation will dictate how your audience experiences your story. Make the best choices for your story. Always think about your purpose when making these choices.
Watch Nate Bargatze's story about ordering a coffee. Without the seasoning, this is a 30 second story. The context is everything