Are you sitting comfortably? Then I'll begin.
Nicola Morgan
Positive Psychologist MSc, Champion of women writers, I co-host the podcast She Wrote Too. I also co-host Happiness is Easy. Bibliotherapist and creativity specialist. Tutor and Mentor. Was a lawyer and a teacher.
Hale knew, before he had been in Brighton three hours, that they meant to murder him.
This is the opening line from Graham Greene’s Brighton Rock.? It begs the questions - why are they going to murder him?? What is he doing in Brighton?? Who is Hale?
Our brains love a puzzle and, according to the brilliant book by Will Storr The Science of Storytelling, they are also obsessed with change.? Telling stories is deeply embedded in human nature and we use stories to make sense of the world and construct both our identities and reality.? The brain, he suggests from his research, constantly seeks cause-and-effect relationships preferring ‘because’ to ‘and then’.??
At the core of stories is the idea of character - people (normally) who are seeking something but are held back by a conflict or flaw within them.? Storr labels this the ‘sacred flaw’ which limits a character’s actions in some way.? The challenge of storytelling is to confront and change these flaws.
The brain, he suggests, pays attention to solving problems - to use one of my favourite openings (above) as an example -? what will Hale do to avoid being murdered?? What would you do???
We look for patterns, we seek to create meaning from chaos and what resonates for us is the meaning that we will make of a given situation - believing ourselves to have found clarity and sense while others remain mistaken - maybe foolish, mad, ill-informed or confused.? Lucky us.? Lucky us being so incredibly right.
Storytelling, he explains, is grounded in evolution as it is an effective way to pass on information, build social bonds and navigate group dynamics.? They teach us about risks, rewards and morality.? The provide meaning when we do not understand or have evidence - particularly to really big questions: why am I here?? What happens when I die?? Am I important?
Interesting and engaging stories subvert expectations and make the events more memorable for us.? Metaphor and symbolism grasp particular attention, he compares the level of brain activity when presented with imagery in a story.? It allows audiences to understand complex concepts intuitively.? Sometimes, people will have a strong emotional response to the words of a poem, for example, and they may not even be able to explain or pinpoint why.??
Stories resonate with human psychology and if we learn to use this to help ourselves, well, that’s a very good thing.??
This is an introduction to a new series of articles about storytelling and what it can mean to you, your community, your work, your family…..and the story of everything.? So please, come along and join in.??
In the meantime, just incase the word ‘metaphor’ terrifies you, here is a fun activity to have a go at so that you can see just how easy it is to create them.? I have deliberately chosen very random unassociated objects to show how it is possible to make connections (however tenuous) as connections is what our brains like to make:??
Step 1: Choose Two Objects
Write down two unrelated objects.
Example:
Your objects:
Step 2: List Characteristics of Each Object
For each object, list its key characteristics.
Example:
Your characteristics:
Step 3: Find a Connection
Look for a shared characteristic, function, or symbolism between the two objects.
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Example:
A microphone and a lemon can both be used to add layers, one of flavour, the other of sound.
Both have an element of preservation about them, a microphone captures a moment of sound, a lemon can prevent an apple going brown..
Your connection:
Step 4: Craft the Metaphor
Combine the objects into a single sentence to create a metaphor.
Examples:
The microphone is a lemon, preserving a moment of time.
The lemon is a microphone, adding layers of interest to the ordinary.
Your metaphor:
Step 5: Reflect on the Meaning
Write about what this metaphor reveals about the relationship or concept you’re exploring.
Example Reflection: The metaphor of a lemon as a microphone reminds us that there are ways of preserving, of capturing moments and keeping things for a time.
Step 6: Apply to a Personal Narrative or Abstract Concept
Use the metaphor to explain an idea, feeling, or personal experience.
Example: I've always seen my life as a way of recording experience, of preserving moments, adding flavour and depth and layers.
It's not great is it, go on - you can do better.
Your application: