60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey: Power of the Pause Invites Your Audience to Listen
- 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey: Power of the Pause Invites Your Audience to Listen 2:59
Hello to you listening in Buenos Aires, Argentina!
Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds for Wednesdays on Whidbey and your host, Diane Wyzga.
Willy Claflin is one of the most clever, insightful storytellers I know. He was a remarkable teacher. Here’s what he said about the “power of the pause” to create the very best stories:
“When I told stories I would just rocket along to the end! But one day I taught a workshop in Texas. A woman wrote a story which began with this sentence: “Snake wanted to learn to play canasta.
Only she didn’t say, “snakewantedtolearntoplaycanasta!”
She said, “Sssssnnnnnaaaake . . . . . . . wanteeeddddddd ……..to learrrrrrrrnnnnn . . . . . . . . . .to plaaaaaaaayyyyyy . . . . . . . . canasssssssstaaaaaa.” It must have taken her 20 seconds.
I had time to see Snake’s desire, the deck of cards, and realize the problems Snake might have holding or dealing the cards. I began to dwell on the spaces – between the words – and eventually – to connect the empty space with the silence of Meditation. I came to understand that inviting silence into stories created an opportunity for teller and listeners to rest, live and breathe inside the story. Instead of rocketing along to the end we would sit – quietly – inhabit the world of the story – together.”
Practical Tip: As a speaker, litigator, podcaster, or platform teller use the Power of the Pause to invite your audience into the story you are telling them! That’s the world you’ll inhabit together. That’s where the call to action takes place.
You’re always invited: “Come for the stories – stay for the magic!” Speaking of magic, would you subscribe and spread the word with a generous 5-star review and comment – it helps us all – and join us next time!
Meanwhile, stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website to:
✓ Check out Services I Offer
✓ For a no-obligation conversation about your communication challenges, get in touch with me today
✓ Stay current with me as “Wyzga on Words” on Substack and on LinkedIn
Stories From Women Who Walk Production Team
Podcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story Arts
Music: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron Music
All content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.
