Small Reflections: tagged

Make Time for Small Reflections
If you're looking for Camera Critters see Saturday's post.
Photo Hunt is at Sacred Ruminations
Scroll down for my 'mutterings'

I was tagged by Mary, the teach at Work of the Poet for this one.

It seems fun and simple enough ... so here goes.

The rules: All you have to do is Google your first name with the word needs behind it and post the first 10 results. Don't forget to tag people (if you are the tagging sort)!

My results may differ from most folks because I don't capitalize 'storyteller' since I see the term as generic rather than specific. Google listed the following 10 things for the query 'storyteller needs' ... I found & used the graphic below a while back for a Photobucket Meme and the one at the top left at Google Images. Lavender Addendum: I initially published this without adding comments, but (alas) I couldn't leave it alone. Feel free to ignore the purple italics if in a rush ;--)

1. Children's Storyteller Needs a Catchy Name (maybe so ...)
2. storyteller needs to make the subtle distinction between what a story is about on a deeper, foundation level, from what's at stake for its characters ... (perhaps this helps explain why I stick to personal narrative rather than fiction?)
3. storyteller needs to remember that most communication occurs via nonverbal transmissions (stories are meant to be told, not read) ... rather challenging in a 'verbally oriented environment' like a blog & may be why I tend to use pictures and 'asides' such as this to add more information?
4. every storyteller needs (in order to have a successful & satisfying telling experience) to know the story ... and know that you know the story ... I count on (meaning trust) my fingers to know the story when I sit down to write it because I often have no clue what's about to show up ... seriously.
5. storyteller needs to be a master of spontaneous verbal composition ... Yup, I have the 'spontaneity' down pat ;--)
6. storyteller needs to be sensitive to his audience and may need to regain their attention before continuing. (I do my best with this, but again ... in a blog this becomes a bit more elusive & challenging)
7. storyteller needs to select a story which will meet the needs of the situation and then must tailor the story to fit the time ... (and this may be why I continue to blog mainly for myself, feeling surprised & blessed by whoever happens by and whatever comments you all opt to leave behind)
8. storyteller needs to bring the words to life! Each character needs to have a distinct voice ... (since I'm the only 'character' there seems to be only my voice ... but it does show up in different forms now that I stop to think about it)
9. storyteller needs to be a wordsmith, a master magician, a swift editor ... (perhaps I can 'own' these skills after years of practice both in and out of the classroom)
10. storyteller needs to draft a one page (500 words or less) personal narrative unfolding a defining moment in their life (methinks that limiting myself to 500 words is asking the impossible, so don't hold your breath on this one)

I don't usually 'tag' anyone (preferring to invite anyone who wishes to play) ... however, perhaps the following bloggers might be interested in participating? (no pressure intended, just encouragement). Note: the parenthetical lavender 'asides' aren't a requirement in the rules ... simply an obsessive addition of my own. I always enjoy spreading around a little link-love to introduce bloggers to one another. If you do play (or already have done so) I hope you'll leave a comment and/or add a link back here to I can read yours too.

Betty of Betty's This and That

Chuck at Foster Me Up
Eve of Adamswife's Weblog
Greatfullivin at Gratitude Journal
Joyce at Mom's Musings
Karen at Journey to Authenticity
Mary of Mary's Writing Nook
MPJ and A Room of Mama's Own
Phyl of Scrappy n Happy in Ohio
Raven of Raven's Nest
Sandy at Momisodes
Tina of Tina's Odds and Ends

Vixen of Vixen's Den
Yertle at Smile, Play, Dream

~ ~ ~

I'm participating for the 17th time today.
How about you?

What comes to YOUR mind?
If you'd like to play here, copy and paste the clues in comments along with your responses ... or post on your blog and let me know so I can visit ;--)

Here are MY responses: I say ... and you think ... ?

Crankiness :: reminds me of my 'ex' who consistently seemed 'on edge' ... as if waiting for 'the other shoe to fall' no matter how good things were going
Backpack :: a handy thing to carry 'toys,' snacks, water, etc. and in which 'stow leash & shoes when Molly & I visit Dog Beach, making it a 'hands-free' experience for me
Clone :: Copy
High ground :: where my mom & dad used to sit when they drove me and my siblings to Long Beach as kids. They sat on benches in a grassy park area overlooking 'Cherry Beach' while we got wet & sandy. I remember how Dad would 'whistle' when it was time to leave for home.
Dreams :: Field of ... (the Kevin Costner film)
Lovingly :: Tenderly
Mistake :: 'Opportunity' ... to learn something new
Carson :: Here's Johnny!
Errand :: things on my 'to do' list that require me to leave home ... preferably on weekdays (rather than weekends) because choose to avoid crowds whenever possible
Dozen :: Cheaper by the ... (a book about a BIG FAMILY that I read & enjoyed as a child)