Thursday, May 6, 2010

Storytelling in Ptown. Or not.

I wish I could write. I mean, I can write, but I wish I could write well. You know what I mean: the kind of writing that inspires and entertains. Some of my favorite blogs to read are by gifted writers. These blogs are more than simply records of events. They are stories of events. I wish I was a storyteller.

Here's an example.
HokieBoy was in the tub the other day with his hand on his manparts. So I ask him if he needs to pee. He says no. So I asked why he was holding himself. He says, "I love my penis. My penis makes me happy. My penis makes pee. I hate pee. But I love my penis."

See, there's a record of what happened. Funny, but not terribly gripping. (Get it? He was gripping... nevermind.) How can I make this into a story of what happened? I want to tell the truth without exaggerating, because the truth is funny enough. Maybe I should find a class or something in all my extra time.

2 comments:

Cheryl in AZ said...

Oh yes, ALL that 'extra time' - where is it hiding in your world? Love the story. As they say... out of the mouths of babes... I think kids are around to provide wonderful fodder for great stories. They do it so well.

Heidi said...

I'm a little late on reading this post, but how freaking hysterical! They are like that from birth, I swear! The way I try to make "records" into "stories" is to find an angle and use that story to get to a deeper or funnier truth either about me, the boys, or the situation. Usually it ends up combining all three!