When you hear, "tell me a story," does your mind suddenly go blank?Don't panic. The good news is, you're already a natural storyteller!Surprised? You shouldn't be. It's built right into our genetic code. Humanbeings are a storytelling species. Of all the creatures on Earth, we're theonly ones that share past memories and future dreams as a way to getto know others, build friendships, plan an endeavor, inspire a group.

In fact, we're usually telling ourselves some kind of story all the time -about our job, a relationship, the kids, neighbors down the street, ournext vacation. You name it, and we're probably making up a story aboutit!

So, with all that creativity just naturally flowing, the secret is how tochannel it into crafting a story that's interesting and fun for others to hear.

How, in other words, do you go from being a "natural" storyteller to beinga good one? Here are 10 tips that will get you started in the rightdirection.

1. Know your audience. Do you want to tell stories to your kids? Yourgrandchildren? Your child's third-grade class? Co-workers? Familyfriends? The charming participation stories that enchant children mayseem patronizing or insulting to a group of adults.

2. Choose a story you genuinely like. It could be a traditional folk tale orfairy story. A historical tale. A personal story. The most important thing isthat you really like it. It doesn't matter how exciting a story might be orhow well you tell it; if you really don't care about it, your audience will bebored too. Guaranteed.

3. Keep it short. A good story doesn't have to be long and elaborate.Especially when you're just starting out, it's much easier to practice andpolish a piece that's only 4-5 minutes long.

4. Find out what the story is really about. Why do you want to tell thisparticular story? What does it mean to you? The exact same story maymean something different to every teller. That's fine. When you discoverwhat the "heart" of the story is for you, you'll automatically find thepassion and life in it.

5. Tear it down to the bare bones. Particularly if you're starting with awritten text, read the story over a couple of times to get the basic outline,and then lay the book aside. See what you remember when you simplytell it. These points will become the foundation for rebuilding the storyusing your own creativity.

6. Know where you're going. Make sure you have a beginning, middleand end for your story. A good storyteller never makes the audiencenervous that they (and you) are lost.

7. Practice out loud. Get in the habit of talking to yourself. You can neverbecome a good storyteller by telling the story in your head, no matterhow many times you practice. Tell the story in your car while commutingto work. Tell it in the shower. Tell it to your dog (pets tend to make quitegood listeners, by the way). Tell your story over and over until you're ascomfortable in it as you are in your favorite jeans.

8. Find your own voice. Listen to other storytellers to hear different stylesof telling: flamboyant...quiet...dramatic...quirky...laidback...funny...serious. The list could go on and on. Notice which tellersappeal to you and which ones don't. There are no right or wrong ways totell a story; there's only what's right for you.

9. Don't memorize. Storytelling isn't a theatrical performance. It's ashared experience. No matter how many times you tell a particular story- as long as you haven't committed it word-for-word to memory - younever know when something brand new and absolutely delightful willshow up.

10. Roll with the punches. Did you suddenly remember a critical piece ofthe story you totally forgot to mention earlier? No problem. Bring it upwhen you think of it and let your audience be part of the discoveryprocess. ("And what I didn't tell you before, was...")

Most importantly, trust the stories that choose you to be told through.Follow their lead. When you do, both you and your listeners will embarkon a magical journey you'll not soon forget.

© Nancy Binzen 2004

Nancy Binzen is a certified storyteller with 30 years of experience as acorporate communicator. To hear great storytelling from around theworld by award-winning artists, visit her website at http://www.wisdomtracks.com.