Rivka Willick's Simply Extraordinary Tales

A Promise Fulfilled

Rivka Willick — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 12:55:56 GMT

I landed at the Miami international Airport at 8:20 for a two hour layover. As I got off the plane I began to plan my course of action. I’d double check the gate location for my connecting flight, visit the women’s room and maybe grab a cup of coffee. As I deplaned my first plane, I realized my legs were a bit stiff so I decided to stretch my legs.

That’s when I saw it: the escalator. I didn’t need to ride the escalator. After all, the gate for my connecting flight was in the same terminal as the gate I just left. I took a few steps towards those moving steps and I suddenly remembered voices from my past.

The first voice was my mother’s. “No” she said, “you can only go one time.”

The second voice was my own 6 year old voice saying,“ When I grow up I’m going to ride the escalator as many times as I want.”

I searched for a reason to ride and I noticed a sign for Starbucks. It was located in Terminal One. I was in Terminal Four. I stepped forward and was delighted to see not one, but two levels of escalators and there was a Sky Train at the top! I got to ride escalators and a sky train just for fun.

I arrived in Terminal One with a lightness in my step and a smile on my face, but as I ordered my coffee I realized I hadn’t gone far enough. I was riding the train and escalator but I was way too adult. I still had a destination, a purpose. The six year old inside me just wanted to ride.

So with coffee cup in hand, I returned to the escalators and headed up back to the sky train, but I didn’t get on the train, instead I turned around and rode back down. I glanced around, thinking the escalator police might stop me, but I pushed on. As soon as I got to the bottom I turned around and headed for the top. This was better than red wine or a Sunday movie matinee.

Two times was nice, so three times had to be better.

It was.

Four times was sublime. I felt giddy as I rose my final time. As I zoomed back to Terminal four I realized that even as a first grader I was dreaming of adventures and extraordinary experiences.

If you are in search of really tall moving staircases to ride again and again, I enthusiastically recommend the Miami International Airport. Today I took 14 escalator rides just because I wanted to, and checked off the very first item I dreamed of when I was 6 years old from my bucket list.

Mentors & Critics: One can inspire, the other can destroy

Rivka Willick — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 16:33:04 GMT

By Rivka Willick

Many years ago, before I was a professional storyteller or story coach, my family surprised me with a very special gift. They sent me to a weeklong writing workshop at Martha’s Vineyard. They wanted to encourage me and give me energy to finish my sci-fi/fantasy novel. I boarded the ferry with a small suitcase in one hand and my lap top in the other totally ready to be inspired. All the elements were in place; late September on a picturesque island surrounded by editors and publishing experts. I spent the next five days sitting in writing workshops, attending lectures, and speaking with other writers; everything seemed perfect.

But everything wasn’t perfect, and by the second day I realized something just wasn’t right. Every participant got a 90 minute critiquing session, led by one of the workshop leaders. and fellow writers. Although my time didn’t come up until the last day, the constant criticism of the other workshop attendees began to take its toll.

Each session followed prescribed guidelines. First one or two positive points were mentioned about the writer’s work, followed by negative comments. I realized early on that every writer walked away from the sessions with their shoulders rolled forward and head down. On the fourth day I remember taking a walk on the beach at sunrise. I watched hundreds of gulls make lazy circles in the sky and I wondered why the week of workshops was so tiring. After all, everybody got some positive comments and everybody wanted to improve.

Finally the last day arrived and I sat in the hot seat. I girded myself for the negative comments and got very few. The group pointed out technical flaws along with positive elements, but I walked away tired and discouraged none the less. After the week was over, I put away my novel and didn’t touch it for years.

I often looked back and wondered why the writing workshop had such a devastating effect, and I only discovered the real reason years later when I performed Labor Daze, my storytelling show about birth, and got reviewed. The critic of the show had the same voice as the members of the critiquing circle at the writer’s workshop. The critic didn’t care about me, she had nothing invested in me; her sole purpose was to write a column and promote her own theatre company. When I went to Martha’s Vineyard, I was hungry for encouragement but only got critiques.

Criticism saps creative energy. If it comes at the wrong time it can do tremendous harm. There is a time for constructive criticism, but only after the artist has firmly established positive support and encouragement. I was lucky. My family stayed a continuous positive force. Also during that weekend, specifically during my 90 minute session, one guy broke ranks. This fellow, I don’t remember his name, suddenly discovered an aspect of my story that excited him. He broke ranks and stopped assessing the story and began to enjoy it. He told me to finish because he wanted my character to be seen. I forgot about his comments until recently and only focused on the dissecting. Today I hear his voice, the voice of encouragement.

That’s the difference between a critic and a mentor. A critic tears down and dissects only focusing on the individual work. A mentor also looks closely but encourages the artist. Mentors can be tough, but their feedback comes from a personal place that wants the artist to succeed. They want the novel, or story, or song to be completed because they are invested in the art AND the artist.

Today I coach many people both here in the US and abroad to tell and write stories. As a story coach I understand that my focus is on the artist and not the individual story. As I focus on the artist, the story gets better and better, but more importantly, so does the artist.

Act on your Artistic Potential: Become an Artist

Rivka Willick — Sun, 16 Oct 2011 23:12:24 GMT

By Rivka Willick

“Everybody’s an artist.”

A couple decades ago that popular sentiment began to take root on American campuses. I’m not sure when I first heard it, but it quickly ignited like a spark on dry prairie grass, and before long the idea evolved into a fact that was dangerous to challenge. I had a problem though, because I knew that this novel idea, this trendy fact, was not true. I knew it wasn’t true because I wasn’t an artist.

Don’t get me wrong. I wanted to be an artist, but the art stayed in my fantasies and didn’t see the light of day. When I tried to talk about it that three word phrase would just be flung back at me. “Everybody’s an artist.” If I tried to argue the point, words like low self-esteem or elitism would find its way into the discussion. I eventually stop talking about it and just got more frustrated.

My frustration however did not stop me. My art form is prose and years would pass without any real accomplishments. The stories were inside me and I decided to keep pushing. When my pen went dry, I began to create oral stories. It took a while, but I found my voice and kept going. I am first a storyteller and then a writer. Today I can say without any hesitation “I am an artist: a storyteller and a writer, but I haven’t always been an artist.”

Over the years I’ve learned that we all have the potential to explore concepts and ideas and turn our discoveries into art. We all have the potential, but that does not make us artists any more than having the ability to move, makes us athletes. Potential without action is really just an unfulfilled dream. Those of us who are artists know that it takes work, courage, and support.

When I do storytelling performances for adults or do motivational speaking I’m often approached by audience members and asked how I got started. People tell me about stories they want to tell or write. Some folks tell me about songs they want to compose or an animation projected they’d like to try. Most of these conversations end with the question, “How do I turn my ideas into art?”

Here’s my answer.

How to act on your artistic potential and become an artist.

1. Buy the Paint. You can’t paint the picture if you don’t have the paint. You can’t play your music if you don’t have an instrument. You can’t be a writer if you don’t have a pen or computer. Get the tools you need to create your art.

2. Create Something. You’ve got to start somewhere, so just start. Get something down, make the first move. Nothing will progress until you begin.

3. Get Support. Be choosey, not everybody is supportive. At this point you don’t need a critic; you need supportive people to encourage you.

4. Seek out Teachers. Look for workshops, classes, books and teachers to allow you to improve your skills.

5. Look for a Mentor. A mentor or coach may be a teacher, a sponsor, or a fellow artist. Mentors will give support along with guidance and constructive criticism. (Thoughtless or self-serving critics are very destructive.)

6. Keep Creating. Some of your work will be good, some not so good. Just keep going.

7. Hang out with other Artists. Productive artists are inspirational. Go to art events, storytelling shows, dance and music concerts, and art happenings of all kinds.

8. Don’t Stop. There will always be bumps in the road, short-stops and false-starts, but if you’ve done 1-7 the final step will always be to continue.

We all have artistic potential and when it’s acknowledged other aspects of our lives will be enriched. The artist within us takes on many forms and may choose from many different mediums, but to become an artist we all must act on our potential.

The Scary Truth About Ghost Writers-The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly

Rivka Willick — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 03:59:15 GMT

So you might wonder, just what is a ghost writer? Is it a poltergeist that causes letters to stick on your keyboard and slow you down when you’re ready to write the next Pulitzer Prize winning novel? Or is it a phantom spirit that writes brilliant prose that you occasionally find in your computer files which you have no memory of writing?

No, those spooky manifestations may haunt your office and leave impressions in your data banks, but they are not Ghost Writers.

Ghost writers are flesh and blood human beings who help others turn their thoughts and experiences into literature. Unfortunately the term ‘Ghost Writer’ has taken on new meaning in today’s internet age, some of those definitions can be scary.

A few years ago I was approached to do a writing job. I agreed to turn over the copyright upon completion, but I didn’t know the job was a “ghost writing” gig. I did quite a bit of research and created an original work reflecting many of my own thoughts. A few months after I finished the project I received an email from my client asking me pages of questions. I answered them, although many of the questions seemed simplistic and had been answered in the written content. I later discovered that my client had placed his name on the content and was speaking as an expert. The questions I had answered had come from an audience, and he needed to know how to answer them.

Wow. My innocence was lost, but my eyes were open. There are many ‘experts’ who simply are not experts. They set up websites and speaking tours sometimes ignorant of the topics they claim to be proficient in. I do not consider these ghost writing jobs, and do not except them when they are offered. These guys are just plain scary!

But if you look at my website, you will discover that I have and do take on ghost writing jobs. Actually, real ghost writing jobs are great. I define ghost writing as partnering with someone who wants to tell his or her story or put down his or her own original idea or process. I work one-on-one with clients, first hearing their voice and understanding their story or idea. Then I search for the right structure and turn these thoughts into written content.

A ghost writer is more than a stenographer or editor. A ghost writer is above all a storyteller and a writer. The ideas need to be turned into prose. Facts, dates, names, and places need to be confirmed and verified. Concepts or events which are murky need to explained, and a good ghost will gently challenge their client if something doesn’t make sense.

And then…..a good ghost disappears. After all a ghost writer writes somebody else’s story or idea. Professional ghosts offer legal contracts and agree not to divulge their client’s identity. Some ghosts however, are totally invisible. Many authors will list their ghosts as collaborators, editors, or assistants, but their names sit comfortable in the shadow of the Authors name.

Many folks seek out ghost writers to give them structure and keep them on task. Collaboration often makes their words more powerful and provide a little distant that many individuals cannot find when they try to write in isolation.

I love ghosting if the author has a unique story or original and compelling ideas. I feel a bit like a doula (labor coach) or midwife, helping with a special sort of birth. And just like a good birth attendant, when the labor is finished, I step away and let the parent enjoy their precious new bundle.

7 Applications for Healing Stories

Rivka Willick — Wed, 18 May 2011 03:07:00 GMT

Spoken word stories for individuals seeking both emotional and physical health. Lets look at 7 ways storytelling can be used to promote healing.

Communications - Many medical and health related conditions are difficult for patients to hear about and focus on. If a patient and their family close down, important information may not be heard or acted upon. Develop stories as bridges, and use them so patients can not only hear, but also comprehend, essential facts. Story-coaching and workshops help practitioners find their stories and hone their skills.

Connection – Illness often isolates, spoken word stories connect. Support groups and patient advocates successfully use spoken word stories to create common ground so individuals can benefit from the experiences of many. Presentations and workshops improve storytelling skills.

Therapy – Ancient and traditional stories tap into century old themes which can build a platform for exploration and healing. Archetypal language, often found in traditional tales, can become the language of healing in therapy; i.e., losing one’s golden ball can stimulate memories of the losses in one’s life and lead to new material shared. The ancient tales also create a road map towards wholeness and telling those stories to one who is depressed can help open a door that was closed to traditional dialog.

Physical Healing – Spoken word stories can trigger thoughts and pysical responses which can promote healing. When a person not only understands but believes in a healing or physical process, their bodies will often respond. The right healing story can initiate this process. Develop customized healing stories working 1-on-1 work with storytellers.

Joy – Most people accept that pain is often a necessary part of healing, however positive thinking and happiness is often just as essential. This is especially true for children, the elderly and patients dealing with chronic conditions. Bring performing storytellers to children’s wards, senior centers, camps, and community centers.

Self-exploration – Story as art is a powerful tool for creating a language for patients to deal with painful and embarrassing experiences. Transformational Tales offer individuals a unique language to explore and deal with physical and emotional injuries. Storytellers can create transformational tales for you or work with you as you create your own.

Community Awareness – Storytelling performances increase awareness on a wide range of issues. Since tellers can perform in both small, intimate settings as well as large venues, this enjoyable exploration of health and healing can be performed almost anywhere.

There Is No Sick Leave For The Self Employed

Rivka Willick — Thu, 14 Apr 2011 12:12:00 GMT

“You can’t get sick if you’re self-employed. “ I remember my dad saying that once, when I was just a kid. At first I thought he was kidding around, after all, anyone could get sick. Then I realized he was serious. My dad never took sick days, so after a while I began to think that people who work for themselves had some secret method to stay healthy.

Years have passed and now I’m my own boss writing web content, doing voice over work and performing as a storyteller. This year the flu and cold season came and passed. Everyone in my family caught the bugs, but I kept working. My father’s words came back to me, “You can’t get sick if you’re self-employed,” and I now know just what those words mean. I’ve discovered there is no magic pill, just my own will power and the constant desire to make the business succeed.

Of course everybody does get sick and whether you own a company of one or one hundred, it might seem almost impossible to take time off. So how does the boss deal with the occasional ailment? The fact is I’m still struggling with this issue, but here is what I’ve come up with so far.

Try to avoid working against deadlines. If you pace yourself and avoid pushing tasks to the last possible moment, taking time off won’t be as detrimental. This doesn't work with all things. For my storytelling performances, my dates are arranged in advance, but when I'm writing commerical web content, I try to finish a few days in advance and schedule deadlines with a little time to spare.

f you have to work, try to shorten your day. Viruses are detrimental to effectiveness, so if you must go into work, only do the urgent tasks then go home and rest. (It's tough to do voice over work when I'm sneezing).

Be honest with your clients, but don’t overdo it. Most people will be flexible with schedules in case of illness, but don’t push it. If you are dealing with a chronic condition, find someone to carry some of your work load.

When you’re not at work, work at getting better. A body can only take so much abuse. If you insist on working, make sure to insist on going to bed and seeing a doctor when you are not working.

Practice healthy living. When you’re self-employed it might feel like there is never enough time to take care of yourself, but you need to make the time. Make sure to get enough sleep, exercise, and eat healthy foods. Healthy lifestyle habits will keep you on the job, so it’s worth the effort to stay healthy.

One last thought, remember you can always take your laptop to bed and work from home. Stay healthy!

A Special Day

Rivka Willick — Mon, 28 Feb 2011 13:02:00 GMT

Today would have been my father’s birthday if he was still alive. He was a fine storyteller and writer, so I’m starting a new tradition. Each year I will write an annual story in honor of my Dad.

My dad was a veterinarian. When I was 6 years old we all moved from Detroit to Farmington, Michigan into a huge rambling building which was both the family business and our home. My family of seven lived upstairs in a three bedroom apartment and downstairs was the veterinary hospital, complete with waiting room, exam room, surgery, x-ray room and kennels.

Both my mom and dad spent long hours running the business. Clients brought their sick animals in during specific office hours in the morning, afternoon, and at night until 8pm. Us kids were instructed, “no running or jumping during office hours.” My dad usually stayed downstairs in between the office hours doing surgery, treating the animals, and attending to the paperwork, however we were allowed to make noise upstairs and go downstairs into the hospital when clients weren’t there.

These islands of time gave me an opportunity visit with my dad. It was on just one of these times that a tradition was born. My dad was doing something in his lab and I was just hanging out. He asked me what I was doing, and I answered like millions of kids answer every day; “Nothing.”

He stopped what he was doing and looked at me through his black plastic rimmed glasses. “Well, do you know what today is?”

“Wednesday?” I answered.

“Besides Wednesday?” he said

I shook my head no.

“Well today is make a paper hat and wear it to dinner day,” he said. I must have looked confused because he explained. “Didn’t you know, every day is a special day, and I know them all.”

And so the tradition began. Every day I would go downstairs and ask, “What day is it today?” and every day my dad would come up with a wild and wonderful day. “Today is eat spaghetti with spoon Day. Today is wear your clothes backwards Day. Today is read a book and get a quarter Day.”

One day I went downstairs to ask the question “What day is it?” My dad smiled and said it was my birthday. I shook my head and said, “no, no, what kind of special day is it.”

That’s when he stopped what he was doing, came over to me and gave me a hug. He said, “Today is your birthday and there’s no day more special then that!”

Happy Birthday Dad.

How to Clean your Laptop Computer screen or Flat Screen Monitor

Rivka Willick — Mon, 21 Feb 2011 04:22:00 GMT

I want to let you in on a secret. I have a very close relationship with my computer screens. I spend many hours every day just staring. I reflect my intellectual thoughts, my passionate yearnings, and my intense hopes on my two screens. They help me make money and sometimes they help me spend it. I use them to write web content and work on my storytelling performances, and do story coaching on Skype. I have connected with friends and business associates from across the country and around the world while I look at my computer screens. I also G-chat with my daughter who sends messages from downstairs.

My computer screens are important, but sometimes I neglect them. Today I tried to erase a period, but it just wouldn’t disappear. On closer inspection I realized it wasn’t a period; it was dirt. Both my lap top computer screen and my flat top monitor screen were grimy and speckled with all sorts of goo. I couldn’t put it off any longer. It was time clean each computer screen.

Somebody told me a special solution is available at the office supply store, but you really can do a great job using basic stuff from around the house.

Here’s a step by step way to clean your computer screen.

Mix a solution of white vinegar and distilled water. I did about 1 part vinegar to 9 parts water.

Find a worn out white cotton t-shirt and tear it in to a few pieces. I cut off all the seams and hems so there weren’t any seams that might scratch the screen.

Dip the cloth into the solution and squeeze it out so that it was just damp. DO NOT apply the solution directly onto your screen.

Wipe the screen with a dark background up. This will help you see the dirt.

Do not close you laptop if the screen is even a little bit damp.

It’s amazing how much easier it is to focus on my web content writing and storytelling work after both my screens were cleaned. Now I just have to work on the rest of my office!

Looking for a Logo Artist in all the Right Places

Rivka Willick — Thu, 10 Feb 2011 20:50:00 GMT

My to-do list is slowly becoming my ta-done list.

I’d been intending on getting a logo for a long time, but I kept putting it off. I didn’t know any logo artists and I didn’t know where to look for one. A couple weeks ago I was having lunch with my friend Liora Farkovitz who gave me a little nudge. Liora is a marketing wiz, so she caught my attention when she she told me to look into logo contest sites. Suddenly I discovered new ways to find an artist, so I began my search for the perfect logo.

I was surprised to find I had lots of choices. There are several sites that allow you to design your own logo. They offer a selection of colors, fonts, images, and designs. It’s a low cost way to create an image, but I wanted something that stood out and presented my multi-level business as a single image. The make-your-own-logo sites didn’t fit my needs.

I could have gone to one of the many Freelance Sites. I’m familiar with Elance because I sometimes bid for writing jobs there. Guru and ODesk are two other sites. These sites attract a wide range of providers. My bid could attract anyone from a high school student to a seasoned professional. Unfortunately some providers use images they do not own. If they are outside of the US, I really don’t have any protection. Even US providers may outsource their work.

I decided to follow my friend’s suggestion about the Logo contest sites. These sites allow buyers to post a contest. I answered several questions about the look and content I wanted in a logo. Then I set a prize amount and began the contest. It ran for 10 days. I got 16 different artists to submit one or more designs and I chose an American Artist. I took my time and asked for several changes. He designed the logo 7 times, until it had the look I was after.

I ran my logo image through www.Tineye.com. This site has millions of images in its data base. If the image was not original, Tineye can often detect it. I also asked my artist to confirm in writing that all of his work was original. There have been cases of companies that were sued when the logo artist embedded an image into the logo which they did not own. My artist drew the images and didn’t use any stock images; that made me a little more secure.

Here’s my new logo.

One more thing off of the “To-Do” list. My business is growing step by step. If you’d like to connect with my logo artist or find out more about this process, please drop me an email or leave a post.

If you want to know more about Liora and her marketing services, check out her facebook link. http://www.facebook.com/pages/status/#!/pages/Legacy-Strategic-Development/84719723784?sk=wall

The Name Game: Picking a Pen Name

Rivka Willick — Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:20:00 GMT

I spend a fair amount of my writing and storytelling time searching for names. I work on titles and character names. I’m also hired to come up with product names and brands. I’ve even helped people find Pen Names. Today it seems like everybody has lots of pseudonyms; different names on Facebook, emails, Skype, and Blogs. Most people just take a few minutes to pick a user name, but if you want to establish a web presence, choosing a name takes on new meaning.

People pick pen names for different reasons. Sometimes they don’t want their writing to be connected with them. Others have names that are difficult or dull. Still others want to create a new personality. I got curious and decided to look up the pseudonyms of famous writers. I was in for a surprise. I thought I’d only find a few, but I discovered dozens of famous writers had them. Some used their pen names for just a little while and in the end kept their original name. Others are known by their pen names, and a few legally changed their names to their pseudonyms.

Here’s a few of my favorite pen names. I knew a few, but not too many. How many do you know?

1. Samuel Clemens

2. Theodor Geisel

3. Alisa Zinov’yevna Rosenbaum

4. Marian Evans

5. William Sydney Porter

6. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson

Now check to see how many you got right.

1. Samuel Clemens pen name was Mark Twain. (This one is easy!) He chose the name because it was connected to his time working on river boats. Mark Twain is a phrase used to announce the water’s depth.

2. Theodor Geisel’s pen name was Dr. Seuss. Seuss was his middle name.

3. Alisa Zinov’yevna Rosenbaum’s pen name was Ayn Rand. I suppose her real name was too long, too foreign, or too Jewish?

4. Marian Evans used George Eliot for her pen name. She probably chose a male name to be taken more seriously and to cover up the fact that she had a long running relationship with a married man.

5. William Sydney Porter was short story writer O. Henry. He started writing when he was in prison. Once he got out, he legally changed his name to O. Henry.

6. Charles Lutwidge Dodgson’s pen name was Lewis Carroll. Maybe Lutwidge doesn’t work in Wonderland.

Ready for Round 2? Here are some pen names that were rejected? Can you match the writer to the rejected pen name?

1.    Ellis Bell
2.    Boz
3.    Paul French
4.    John Lange" and "Jeffery Hudson"
5.    Clive Hamilton
6.    Mary Westmacott

Need some help? Here’s a list of the authors who decided to use their real nameA

A. Agatha Christie

B. Emily Bronte

C. Michael Crichton

D. Charles Dickens

E. C.S. Lewis

F. Issac Asimov

I’m putting the answers at the end. If you have a favorite pen name, famous or not yet famous. Let me know.

Here’s the answers to the second quiz.

1-B 2-D 3-F 4-C 5-E 6-A

Why Do Heroes Wear Masks?

Rivka Willick — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 02:56:00 GMT

By Rivka Willick

I’m a storyteller and I create oral stories, but I also write website copy to generate income. Last year I worked with a costume company and created fun descriptions for kid’s costumes. I wrote dozens of little costume stories everyday. One day Leonardo, the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle, was next on my list. I began to type, when I suddenly stopped. I stared at the screen in disbelief.

Leonardo was wearing a mask.

He’s a giant, bright green turtle with super human intelligence walking around the city and he wants to hide his identity with a mask. Right! Does he really think people won’t know it’s him because he’s covering his eyes with a blue cloth?

Then I got to thinking. Comics and super heroes are the myths of today. We need them; they reflect what we are presently going through. So I started thinking about other Super Heroes. Superman doesn’t wear a mask when he’s super but he hides his identity with a pair of glasses when he becomes Clark Kent. ONLY GLASSES. And the glasses work! I stopped writing and began to pace. Almost all the superheroes try to hide their identities, some are successful, others aren’t but they all wear masks or disguises.

I kept pacing. Questions kept flying out of my brain. Do we all wear masks? Probably.

Do I? Yes. Is my mask like Clark Kent’s. (Do I disguise myself when I’m not facing challenges which require super powers?) or like Leonardo? (Do I try to hide myself when I’m challenged but everyone knows who I am?)

I’d like to be like Superman, but I think I’m more like that funny looking giant turtle. I got to work on that. I’ll be back next week.

writing with your lips

Rivka Willick — Mon, 17 Sep 2007 20:26:00 GMT

I've just started a book called The Warrior and the Priest by John Milton Cooper, Jr. It's a comparative study of Teddy Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson. Cooper starts off saying they both had disabilities as children. Most everyone knows Teddy had severe asthma which at times caused his parents to fear for his life. Wilson's "disability" was different; he was slow to read--didn't read until he was eleven. And, he had difficulty writing--all of his life. He preferred giving speeches with few if any notes. Writing was belabored--he'd first compose in his head before committing anything to paper.

NOW WAIT A SECOND.

HE WASN'T DISABLED--HE WAS A TELLER!!!!

JUST LIKE ME.

I went to college to become a journalist. I was great at creating stories, but when it came to composing on paper I froze up. Everything was a gargantuan struggle. I went on and did other things, but never stopped creating stories. I finally discovered there were two ways to express ideas, two ways to create stories. You can write them or tell them. You can take your ideas and let them flow from your mind into you hand and onto paper (or a computer screen), OR you can let the ideas flow from your mind to your lips.

I verbally "said" this blog before I "wrote" it.

And it's a two way street. Some folks find it easiest and most enjoyable to read, others prefer hearing. And most folks find it easier (and a lot more fun) to hear a telling as opposed to hear a reading. The creation of the story is fresh and is a shared creation between Teller and listener.

Woodrow Wilson did OK.

He went on to become President of Princeton, then President of the USA.

I bet he gave a good speech.

I'm doing OK too. I'm a Teller. I tell to adults (they need to hear stories even more than the kids). I tell to teens and kids too.

ME and WOODROW-- both lip writers.