In our last post we talked with Lindsay Bonilla about her previous work, the conversation continues but tis time we talk about her work as a storyteller and how it helped write her new work The Storyteller.
How has being a professional storyteller and a writer help you write the book “The Storyteller?
This book was my attempt to write a love letter to the art of oral storytelling. It became many other things along the way, but at it’s heart, it’s a book that celebrates this traditional art form that we all participate in whether we realize it or not. Being a storyteller helped me visualize many of the scenes – like how the grandmother used her face and body while telling and also her climbing the beanstalk and her hair growing out like Rapunzel. I am very visual in all of my writing. I try to picture it in my mind’s eye, the same way I do when I’m telling. Being a writer then helped me look for the most succinct, yet lyrical, way to describe what I was seeing.
How has the work of a storyteller helped you create Griffin’s grandmother and her grace as a teller?
As a teller, I rarely know what my audience will be like ahead of time, but it’s my job to connect with them. So much of being a teller is meeting the audience right where they’re at -- and that’s what Griffin’s grandmother does. She is fully present with him and for him and delights in spending time with him. For me, so much of being a teller is delighting in the audience as you go on this shared journey of the story, and I think that definitely found its way into the Grandmother’s character.
How has being a storyteller challenge you when you place the words in print?
As a storyteller, it’s my job to paint the entire picture in the audience’s mind with my words. But that’s not the case with picture books. The illustrations are also there, pulling equal weight. My first picture books were very wordy. I had to learn to pare down my language to leave room for the art.
How did you decide what stories you would allude to when referring to her storytelling?
I don’t think I made a conscious choice about this; instead, the right tales just seemed to find me as the story started to take shape. Kind of in the same way that the right stories find Griffin when he needs them. Still, I did want a through-line of one meaningful story and landed on Jack and the Beanstalk. I wanted Griffin to have some agency when he finds out that his grandmother is ill – and him making the choice to sell his cow and plant the magic beans fit that need perfectly. I also loved the magic of the Grandmother being able to climb the beanstalk and go into the unknown. It seemed like a very gentle and hopeful way to let go of a loved one.
I love what you say about silence. Why is this important to you as the author, the story, and those who read or tell the story?
I believe it’s in the silence that we make meaning. We live in a time in history where we can constantly consume art in lots of different forms – books, audiobooks, podcasts, TV, movies, etc. I’m glad that these opportunities exist, but it’s easy to go an entire day without ever stopping to THINK about what we’ve heard/seen/consumed. When we do this, I think we miss the chance to have the art actually touch our lives in a meaningful way. I believe all of us need to actively make space for reflection.
You show how we can face so much when listen to stories, explain this.
Stories show us ourselves – who we are and who we can be. As we follow our favorite characters in story, we see that like them, we have possibilities, opportunities, and choices to make. All of these become part of our journey. If you’ve been exposed to lots of stories, you have seen lots of characters in many different situations and struggles choosing to face them in unique ways with differing outcomes. I believe this gives us courage and reminds us that we have agency, no matter how big the challenge we are facing.
You clearly show the tradition of passing on the story is this also true in your family?
I am trying to make this our tradition! Whenever I get a chance to tell my kids a story from my life, no matter how inconsequential it may seem, I take that opportunity, especially when it relates to something my child is facing right now. When I know that one of my husband’s stories fit the moment, I encourage him to do the same. My kids love these stories, and sometimes they are totally surprised! A big part of me writing and sharing this book is encouraging other families to do the same with their children. I think it really makes us feel like we are part of something and creates a family legacy.
For the Storyteller and Writers
What advice do you have for storytellers who want to capture their stories in print?
Read, read, read! Read at least 100 of the type of book you want to write (picture book, novel, etc.), preferably books published in the last few years so you can understand the current market. Continue to visualize your story. Being able to see it is a great advantage in writing.
What is a ritual all storytellers and children’s writers should embrace? Why?
That’s a tough question! I’d say, find yourself somewhere in every story you tell or write. I think a lot of writers start off by trying to distance themselves from their work. The idea being something like -- “it’s not about me, it’s about the character.” And yet, I find that the more personal and specific the work, the more universally it seems to resonate. It’s not to say that every character I write or tell is me, but it has to have some of me somewhere. Being vulnerable enough to put yourself on the page or in your telling is what gives your work heart.
How can we provide more appeal for the old tales in schools?
I think the appeal is there! I’m thinking of my son’s favorite book series right now (Percy Jackson) and how it draws heavily on Greek mythology. Many of the books coming out these days are drawing on myths, legends and folklore from around the world, and kids are eating them up! This makes kids want to go back and see the original tales. My son, for example, has checked out tons of books from the library with the original Greek myths and knows way more than I do about all of them!
If you can make a connection to a popular contemporary book with the stories you tell, this could be a great jumping off point for conversation with students and teachers alike — and a great selling point to schools as well since comparing and contrasting are a big part of the elementary ELA curriculum. Making your own unique spin on a tale or having a list of fractured fairy tale picture books that teachers can use after your visit could also add appeal.
What is next for you?
I have a new picture book, YOU’VE GOT THIS, coming out August 6th from Holiday House! It encourages young readers to face their fears and try new things and is perfect for children who need a boost of confidence.
I’ve also got an exciting trip planned to Colombia (my husband’s home country) at the end of July. While I’ve been there before, we are visiting some areas that are brand new for us, including the Amazon Rainforest and Bahia Solano on the Pacific Coast. I’m hoping to learn more about the indigenous people and traditions in the Amazon (including their folklore, of course!), and also see lots of wildlife like pink river dolphins, humpback whales, sloths, monkeys and more!
Tell us one or two things you don’t think we know.
I lived in Spain for a year and a half and worked for an English-speaking theatre company there called Interacting. It was there that I learned how to do audience-participatory theatre and storytelling. I owe my interactive storytelling style to my experiences with them.
The most amazing storytelling experience I ever had took place in Haiti. I visited the country not long after the devastating earthquake and stayed with a Haitian family. I was told that the grandmother was a storyteller, and I begged to hear her tell! Though she spoke in Haitian Creole and I couldn’t understand the words, the experience was so rich. She danced and sang and her family members would join in on the refrains in her stories. Then they would beg her to tell their favorites. I remember thinking, “That’s the kind of grandma I want to be!” The feeling of love and togetherness that the storytelling evoked was palpable and unforgettable.
You can invite Lindsay Bonilla to come to your school, event, and read or tell stories. Catch her athttps://lindsaybonilla.com/
If you are author who uses stories or a storyteller and you want us to have a close look, contact Kevin at www.kevincordi.com
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