What's the best way to plan and execute a storytelling strategy?

You should also consider the characters in your story. Identify those with the most compelling stories on the timeline of their lives and let them carry the narrative. The themes you want to highlight will interweave with their lives or experiences.

I am a panster when it comes to writing. I have an idea and I know where it should end up. Most of my ideas revolve around issues no one wants to talk about. How a death in a small town impacts more than just the family. It affects everyone who knew the person. I have addressed bullying when kids are doing things that are actually in real life illegal. I have addressed spousal abuse and child abuse and how there are people who can help you escape. I have addressed stalking. PTSD, obsession, arson, and narcissism. In one of my middle grades books I addressed helping those in need. I write books to start the conversations. I do my research so nothing I address is inaccurate. When I sit down to write I create my characters as they go.

Most of my stories are short and used to convey information. Be it a product or concept, stories help make the point memorable. The characters are usually people like them or that are familiar to them and that is key. I don’t have time for detailed character development so if I don’t start with something familiar the story gets discarded. So yes I need to have that clear idea in mind.

Like the point above about clear purpose I have to set the scene and use descriptions and words the audience would use or again I lose them.

Have a person in mind for whom you are writing the book. Know the person well. As you write for this person, remember the age group and who else you might know who would enjoy the book or story you are writing.

Whatever the audience, your story needs to go for the heart. Appeal to feelings, emotions and everything else that makes us human. good storytelling transcends stratified audiences.

Everyone has a story to tell. It's your job to discover it and then help the target audience connect with it. This is where relationship-building comes into the process. For the people behind brands to share their stories, they must trust you with that information. The only way to develop that level of trust is by building rapport.

I like to gauge my audience by sharing different stories at different times and with distinct lessons. I watch which one connects best and, based on that, I: a) Know which way my future storytelling will go b) Have an idea of what content they best connect with, and c) I'm able to determine which stories I'll expand upon in the future. Know your audience and let them know you. It's how you build not just an 'audience', but a community.

Since my stories are short I have a 4 step structure. 1. Introduce hero in a similar situation and the problem they faced. 2. What their life was like that forced them to change. 3. What they did to change 4. What life is like now.

Your story needs a logical sequence and there should be no loose ends. I never think of my book in three acts. I start with something that introduces one or more of the characters and something is generally wrong. After that, I craft scenes which propel the story forward and brings it to a conclusion.

I love the idea that storytelling should be “circular” and deliver on promises via foreshadowing of what’s the come or that the author leaves hints/crumbs along the way to keep the reader interested and also highly engaged. A story should always be building up to something and offer a hook in the beginning to draw the attention of the reader in the very beginning. I also personally love stories that not only deliver on their promises, but also share a lesson, a deep thought/concept or philosophy at the end that ties the whole story together and gives it purpose.

In addition, ensure you have a thread that ties together all aspects of your story. Your beginning should be tied to your middle and your middle to your end.

"create a logical flow" - here I have to disagree! Yes, a story must have a structure. But this structure does not have the purpose that it should or must be logical! Rather, we have to keep in mind what a story should or can actually accomplish: A story is a condensed form of human being! And the human being consists not only of rational components, but also of colorful emotional moments, which together result in something wonderfully unique! Therefore, the structure of your story must rather be based on your BASIC EMOTION and on a FOLLOWABLE LOGIC! Only both together, as a symbiosis, will create a compelling story!

Most of my books are written in a conversational tone. It allows my readers to shadow the characters and identify with them. One of my readers once told me they could imagine walking down the street and seeing my characters there. This is the reaction I want. I want them to keep turning the pages to see how my characters are able to solve the problem they face and a grow as a person.

In my experience, having a conversational tone in writing helps you carry your audiences along. If it is a live storytelling event, consider using your natural voice. Often, we are tempted to use a voice that does not come naturally to us. Take pauses. Use gestures and look directly at your audience.

Feed back is king. It will help you improve your craft and actually know what the audiences want to hear. A good critic will make your next story better.

I am always looking for feedback. It helps me to know what the reader is thinking. I have someone who points out every mistake my editors and I miss. I have beta readers and editors who give me feed back. I can't improve if I don't know what my readers are thinking.

For storytelling, conversational qualitative feedback always works the best. Real insights are not in words and numbers ( in the form of the feedback) but in unspoken fillers between the spoken words.

This article has an interesting angle on what people have to know about storytelling. It all resonates, and here three more angles to add juice to the storytelling aspect: - Know what you don't know: You don't have everything clear ahead of you. Sometimes it's important be clear about the parts of storytelling you don't know enough about or want to research further in order to open your perspectives. - Know your unique angle: A lot of storytelling is about the perspective you bring to your audience. The unique angle that might spark something special onto someone to act or think differently. - Know your tone of voice: The style here is key. It's a conversation at the end of the day, you're talking to humans, treat them as such.