What’s in it for me? Learn the storytelling secrets of a beloved live show and podcast.
The Moth first began in the New York City living room of George Dawes Green, back in 1997. From the start, it was designed as a space where stories are honored and shared without interruption. It's a sanctuary where individuals reveal the essence of their lives, weaving narratives that resonate with authenticity and truth.
Since then, it’s blossomed into an international endeavor, where famous authors and neophyte storytellers are treated with the same reverence. Over the years, the Moth’s producers and directors have honed in on some of the fundamental elements that make the best stories so impactful.
Those directors are now sharing their knowledge in the hopes that more people will unlock the power of storytelling. For the storyteller, it’s a process of self-discovery, and for audiences it’s one of increased empathy. In the end, we all benefit from these dynamic tools.
It’s your story to tell.
Let’s start by setting some ground rules.
For every storyteller who’s interested in being part of a Moth event, there are some rules to follow. These rules aren’t intended to limit the scope of what a story can be; rather, they’re designed to get your creative juices flowing and help generate the best kind of stories.
The first rules are that the stories must be true, and they are to be told out loud, in the first person. They are not to be read or recited. This should be your story to tell, not a piece of journalism. The stories should always involve stakes and feature a transformation of some kind.
Then there are the don’ts: Don’t use notes or props. Don’t use fake accents or caricatures. Don’t try to explain a culture that isn’t yours. Don’t use another person’s race, appearance, or orientation as a punchline or plotpoint. Don’t celebrate unwanted sexual advances. And, it should go without saying, don’t use racial slurs or hate speech.
Now, you might be asking, why does it have to be a true, personal story? The answer lies in the power of authenticity.
True stories have the power to connect us on a profound level. It’s the authenticity of the tale that captures our hearts and minds, fostering empathy and understanding. It's not just about entertainment; it's about confronting our fears, embracing our vulnerabilities, and finding catharsis in the act of sharing our truths.
If coming up with this kind of story sounds like a challenge – that’s because it is! And that’s why the Moth directors are there, to help the storytellers develop their narrative. Over the years, the directors have become experts at uncovering the essence of a story and shaping it into a compelling tale. With their guidance, storytellers can delve into the heart of their stories and identify key moments and transformative experiences.
You might think: Well, what if I don’t have such a compelling personal tale? Don’t worry. Everyone has a story to tell. It's not about grandeur or significance; it's about the human experience – the joys, sorrows, triumphs, and struggles that shape our lives. So, whether you're a seasoned raconteur or a novice storyteller, remember: Your story matters, and it's waiting to be shared with the world.
In the next section, we’ll get into the details of the story-development process and find out how you can turn your tale into stageworthy gold.
Where to start?
So let’s dive deeper into the art of storytelling and explore the process of how we can construct a narrative that resonates with authenticity and emotion.
The first step is to identify the right story. We can do this by mining for memories. You may even want to open up an old photo book to spark some old memories about those moments in your life that were defining.
Everyone’s life is a collection of defining moments. Maybe it’s one of absurd hilarity. Or maybe it involved a heartbreaking, tearful confession. Or maybe it’s a heartwarming, bittersweet encounter with a stranger.
As we reflect on our lives, we unearth turning points. This is the key. We’re looking for the moments that altered our trajectory and revealed new paths forward. From the highs of success to the lows of failure, each experience leaves an indelible mark on our psyche, shaping who we are and who we aspire to be. These are your stories.
Now, in the rules, we mentioned the importance of stakes. Stakes are the driving force. They give our tales urgency and energy, propelling listeners forward on a rollercoaster of emotions. So, when you’re looking for the right story, ask yourself, What’s at stake? Is there a desire for change, a struggle against adversity, or a quest for redemption? Stakes are the heart and soul of storytelling.
The other important thing to consider is the arc of the story. An arc is the journey of transformation, the evolution of the storyteller from who they were at the beginning to who they become by the end. It's about growth, change, and the profound impact the experience had on our lives.
When you think you have the right moment in your life, a helpful exercise is to see if you can distill the story into a single sentence – one that captures the heart and soul of the narrative.
Moth storyteller Ellie Lee presented a tale called “A Kind of Wisdom.” It was about her relationship with her fireman father, and a devastating fire that broke out in Boston’s Chinatown. The arc and the stakes of the story could be neatly described in one sentence: “It took a disaster for me to appreciate the important role my father played in our community.”
Your one sentence can serve as your guiding light, illuminating the path forward and shaping the direction of your storytelling journey.
Putting the pieces in place.
In this section we’re going to move on to the building materials of your story. We’ve identified our narrative; now let’s start the construction process.
The first thing to do is to identify your narrative stepping stones. These are key moments that are crucial to the listener being able to understand the story.
Try this exercise: create a bullet-point list of those moments that propel the story forward, as well as any bits of backstory and character realizations that are vital to understanding the story.
Think of these stepping stones in terms of scenes, summaries, and reflections.
Scenes are the compelling parts where things happen. The ending of the story is always an impactful scene. These are the real building blocks of the story; they immerse us in the action and those pivotal, emotional moments.
Summaries provide some necessary details while moving us along. You might need to tell the listener something like, “a few weeks went by while I finished my dissertation.”
Reflections tell us important internal information. What’s going on in your head? What were you thinking when this or that happened? What revelations, insights, emotions and changes are happening to you, our main character?
During this process, keep in mind any details that can heighten the experience. Was it raining? Was there a specific smell in the air? Could you hear the clock tick, tick, ticking away? These details will help you to create a vivid world that captivates the imagination and leaves a lasting impression.
Likewise, backstory can add important depth and context to the narrative. It might not move the story forward, but backstory can provide listeners with information they need to properly interpret and appreciate the events that unfold.
For example, in his Moth story “Angel,” Darryl “DMC” McDaniels provides the listener with some key bits of backstory, including the fact that he’d recently discovered that he’d been adopted. This detail doesn’t move the story forward, but it establishes his unique state of mind and colors the events going forward, making everything more impactful.
Finally, once you’ve identified your stepping stones, you can consider the structure. Is this a story best told in strict chronological order? Or is there a valuable opportunity to use flashbacks or callbacks as a framing device? The question to ask is, How best can we structure the story to guide the audience on a coherent and compelling journey of discovery?
In the next section, we’ll continue to look at these possibilities, especially as it pertains to the beginning and end of your story.
Launching and landing.
In these final two sections, we’re going to focus more on the audience, so that you consider all the ways in which your story can make the most impact.
In that regard, the beginning and the ending should be considered crucial. They are the hello and goodbye. The beginning sets the tone and expectations for everything that will follow, while the ending leaves the lasting impression.
A good beginning should do more than just drop the audience into the action. You want to hook them in with a compelling scene or moment that sparks curiosity and leaves them wondering what happens next.
Here’s a great opening from Moth storyteller Ari Handel: “‘Don’t fall in love with your monkey,’ my advisor warned me. But I didn’t listen. There are some things you have to learn for yourself.”
Doesn’t that make you lean in and want to hear more?
In those first moments, you’ll also want to avoid unnecessary setup or exposition that can drag the story and the momentum down. The best kind of start is one that unfolds naturally and allows listeners to discover the narrative alongside you.
While the beginning is a launchpad, the ending is the landing pad for your story. When you have these two parts clear in your mind, the point of your story will often reveal itself clearly, and the rest can fall into place with greater ease.
A great ending is the kind of thing that will leave the audience speechless, or make them want to cheer with delight. A bad one will make them scratch their head and wonder what the point of the last ten minutes was.
Think of the ending as a delicate balance of resolution and reflection. It should leave a lasting impact, answering the question posed by the story and providing closure without tying everything up too neatly. Endings that feel forced or contrived can sour the entire narrative, so choose your final lines carefully to ensure they resonate with the audience long after the story concludes.
The key thing here is to not leave the audience hanging. Use your final moments to illustrate the change or transformation that has taken place.
But keep in mind that a good ending doesn’t necessarily have to underline the point. When it’s true to you, it will be relatable to others. The emotions, and what has happened, will resonate with the audience. That’s a satisfying ending.
Delivering empathy from the stage.
Remember the rules? A Moth storyteller flies without a net. There are no notes, no props; it’s just you and a microphone fixed to a stand. Obviously, for some of us, this is a nerve-wracking proposition. But even terrified wallflowers have overcome their fears to deliver amazing stories on stage.
The Moth steers people away from memorization for a reason. Writing your story down and committing it to memory may seem like the safest route, but it can actually make you sound over-rehearsed or robotic. Instead, focus on familiarizing yourself with the key points. Write down a map, rather than every word. And enlist some trusted friends or family to practice telling your story aloud, and use these test runs to refine your delivery and pacing.
When sharing your story, authenticity is key. Speak in your natural voice and avoid the temptation to perform or embellish for dramatic effect. Remember, nerves are natural and even beneficial – they show that you care about your story and your audience. Embrace them as part of the storytelling experience. Many storytellers have cried on stage. It doesn’t ruin anything.
Ultimately, storytelling is a dynamic exchange between storyteller and audience, with the potential to leave a lasting impression that extends far beyond the stage. It’s a powerful tool that can change the listener by opening their heart and mind – increasing their empathy for others.
This is why storytelling can be a valuable tool at schools, workplaces, and other environments where people don’t have many opportunities to open up to one another.
Young students often feel like they aren’t heard, and they rarely get to feel like they can speak from the heart. By listening to each other's stories, students and educators alike can break down barriers, foster understanding, and create a sense of belonging. Here are a couple of prompts that can be used in a classroom.
The first one is: “I used to [blank], but now I [blank].” This is a simple prompt to get the students thinking about a transformative moment in their life, and to build a story around it.
Another useful prompt is “The Object Exercise.” Ask the students to think of an object that means a lot to them, then build out that story. Where did it come from? Why does it mean so much to you? What would it feel like to lose it? This is a good exercise to introduce young storytellers to the concept of stakes.
Likewise, employees can often feel voiceless and without a sense of belonging at their workplace. So here, too, storytelling can be a useful tool to make them feel seen and heard.
Before a meeting, you can draw names and give people three minutes to respond to a prompt such as, “Tell us about a moment when you felt compelled to stand up for what you believed was right.” Or, “When was the first time you felt that what you do for a living was important.”
It’s amazing what even three minutes of storytelling can do to make people feel closer to one another and strengthen bonds. This is the power of creating a safe space where we can open up and be a little vulnerable and honest.
Creating this kind of space is what The Moth has been about since day one. Hopefully, you’ll feel inspired to share your story. There are millions of people out there, with open ears, ready to be inspired by you!
Final summary
In this Blink to How to Tell a Story by Meg Bowles, Catherine Burns, Jenifer Hixson, Sarah Austin Jenness, and Kate Tellers, you’ve learned that . . .
Storytelling is a powerful tool that can lead to self-discovery and increased empathy toward others. Crafting that kind of impactful story begins by emphasizing the importance of true stories that have had a transformative impact on the storyteller’s life. From there, it moves to identifying key moments, building scenes, and evoking emotion effectively. Beginnings and endings are also crucial, and storytellers are urged to craft engaging entry points and satisfying conclusions. When it comes to delivering the story to an audience, storytellers are advised against reading notes or memorization and encouraged to develop a natural delivery by practicing with a small, trusted audience. Storytelling can also be used in education and the workplace, as the sharing of personal experiences can foster deeper connections and understanding. It truly is a transformative tool for communication, empathy, and personal growth.
Okay, that’s it for this Blink. We hope you enjoyed it. If you can, please take the time to leave us a rating – we always appreciate your feedback. See you in the next Blink.