Seminar Options
Half-Day: The Essence of Storytelling
Small Group Workshop (up to 9 participants); presented in person (recommended) or virtually
While there are countless ways to tell a story, most storytellers have a “fallback” method that they use when they need to tell a story on the fly. In this four-hour workshop (with breaks!) Steven and Tom share their personal go-to method, suitable for everything from the core of a keynote address, to an “elevator pitch” or an answer to a question. Elements include:
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Why you should tell stories (it’s science!).
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How to remember a story (it’s not word by word!).
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The story as dialogue (even when listeners are not speaking, they’re still talking to you).
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The path of Steven’s and Tom’s innovative and groundbreaking Story Cube method.
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Demonstrations of the tried-and-true at various lengths and in various situations.
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Group participates in interactive story construction
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Q&A
Full-Day: Mentored Storytelling
Small Group Workshop (up to 9 participants); presented in person
We heartily recommend this over our half-day workshop, as it includes an afternoon exercise in which each participant tells a short, one-to-five-minute story (we assure you: you can do it), and the group does a quick workshop to make it better.
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Includes all elements of the half-day workshop.
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Four hours (with breaks) before a one-hour lunch break, followed by two to three hours after lunch (again, with breaks).
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If the group decides to lunch together in a private setting, Steven and Tom will each share an unscripted short story with the group, over lunch.
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After lunch, each person tells a story of their own (listening to others is a great learning experience).
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The group provides feedback to each storyteller (and learns how to improve their own stories in the process).
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Each person’s story, plus after-comments, will be captured on video and emailed or air-dropped (if Wi-Fi is available)
Two-Day: Becoming a Storytelling Organization
Medium-to-Large Group Workshop (10 – 24 participants); presented in person, requires private setting for lunches
This two-day experience includes the following enhancements:
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Includes all elements of the full-day workshop.
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Two unscripted TED-style talks (one by Tom and one by Steven).
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Day Two begins with a refresher review, plus bonus content (storytelling in an interview and other personal settings) and then goes into storytelling from group members.
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Each storyteller will use a microphone (choice of handheld or lavalier) and be recorded by a professional videographer; videos will be sent to participants one to two weeks after the experience concludes.
Keynote Options
Keynote
Fall in Love with the Wonder Again
Staying motivated in our writing projects can be challenging and at times daunting. Join award-winning author Steven James on a journey back into the heart of story and the endless realms of imagination.
Keynote
Throw Your Hat Over the Wall
In this inspiring look at the joys, risks, and rewards of pursuing the writing life, bestselling author Steven James shares humorous and thought-provoking insights into the writing process and encouragement for the journey toward living a richer, more creative life.
Keynote
The Untouched Moment
With a light touch of humor and poignant observations about writing and about life, award-winning author Steven James will take listeners deeper into exploring the depths of meaning that every moment offers them.