Storyteller Harlynne Geisler
http://storyteller.swiftsite.com
858-569-9399 storybag@juno.com
Storytelling in San Diego, Southern California, and the World
Especially Storytelling School Assemblies in San Diego County

These are the questions that I am often asked, and my answers. Harlynne Geisler


What is a storyteller? Do you mean that you read books out loud?

No, I don't hold a script or book in my hand as I tell. I am the narrator of the story as well as portraying all the characters. I am a one-woman show with a cast of thousands. The San Diego Tribune described what I do in this way: "Without props, she creates an imaginary world, telling the story and becoming the characters. Her eyes and expressive hands move from this imaginary world to the audience, weaving the two together. "

How did you become a storyteller?

Well, like all of you, I have been a storyteller all my life without realizing it--sharing incidents of my life, jokes, the plots of movies that I enjoyed, etc. But I was lucky enough to see a freelance storyteller and realized that I wanted to learn more. I read every book I could find, attended classes and workshops, helped found a storytelling group and festival, practiced on everyone I met, and finally put out my first business card. That was in 1980, so my adventure has lasted for a long time.

Where do you find your stories?

Most of them come from research at the library into traditional tales of the world's cultures, but I also collect supernatural occurrences from people I meet, create improvisational stories with audiences, and sometimes write my own. I have all kinds of programs from "Hauntingly True Ghost Stories" to "Encounters with Truth: Stories for Adults" to "Multicultural Folk Tales." If you're looking for good stories, I recommend browsing through the folk tales and short story collections. Try reading the story out loud several times, drawing stick-figure pictures of the story, and then sitting back and visualizing the tale in your mind's eye. These are just some of the techniques I use to remember.

How many stories do you know?

That's not an easy question to answer. I have three types of tales in my memory: 1) stories that I have shaped and rehearsed until I am proud to perform them, 2) stories that I could tell if pressed for a particular type on short notice, and 3) stories that I can summarize the plot of but couldn't tell without more practice. These three types comprise several hundred. I'm sure that I could find a story that's just right for you!

Do you just tell to little children?

Stories are for all ages. Just as there are narratives that would only be enjoyed by preschoolers and stories that would only enchant older children, there is also longer and more thoughtful fiction that captivates adults. Nowadays that fiction is available to you in many different forms: books, movies, TV, theater...and storytelling. I have stories for every age, starting with three year-olds who are just beginning to understand what a story is, through older adults (who are always surprised at how much they enjoy listening to stories).

Where do you tell?

Where don't I tell? I prefer not to tell in venues where there are visual and auditory distractions that make it hard for the audience to concentrate. I have told and taught storytelling-related workshops for clubs, businesses, museums, libraries, schools, colleges, churches, temples, conferences, festivals, storytelling guilds, and private parties for every age imaginable. I have performed from Aurora, New York, to Alberta, Canada, to Austin, Texas, to Anaheim, California.

How much do you charge?

It depends on what type of stories you want, whether I have to do special research, how long I am to tell or teach for, how far I have to travel, how large the audience is, what your budget is--many factors determine a fee. I no longer have time to donate my services, preferring instead to donate money to my favorite causes.

How do I learn more about storytelling?

One way is to hire me to teach storytelling to an organization that you belong to. I occasionally have classes. I'd be happy to put you on my mailing list.

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Email this information to me at storybag@juno.com or print out the form and send it to me at 5361 Javier Street, San Diego, CA 92117-3215.

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