3 minute stories for storytelling
Featured - 3 Minute Storyteller
“Our salvation is in our imagination,” says Sue Monk Kidd, the #1 New York Times best-selling author of books like The Secret Life of Bees. As we grapple with the viruses of racism and COVID-19, we’ve run out of time to tinker around the edges. Our best response is to “bless our largeness” which is what Kidd calls the stamp of our unique genius.
At the heart of 3-Minute Storyteller is a deep desire to share stories that help us understand one another, accept one another, and inspire one another. We believe that conversations can bring us together and change the world.
Learn More About Our Mission
Creativity & the Arts, Podcast, Self-Discovery & Intentionality, Spirituality & Mindfulness, Video
Sue Monk Kidd on Blessing our Largeness
When we create our stories each week, one of the most agonizing decisions is what to call people. How do you distill a life—in the case of our storytellers, an otherworldly life—into the three or four words of a title scroll?
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Podcast, Self-Discovery & Intentionality, Video
Celeste Headlee on creating empathic bonds through true listening
When we create our stories each week, one of the most agonizing decisions is what to call people. How do you distill a life—in the case of our storytellers, an otherworldly life—into the three or four words of a title scroll?
Listen To This Story
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I wasn't going to be judged by the success I had but the success that I helped other people to have.
The fear that I had and we all have . . . is that we realize that we aren't complete. And so we have to have these projections of thoughts into the future that will make us whole, for fulfillment and hope, when it's not necessary.
When I get really close to my core and do my work from there, that's when it touches other people the most. It's a paradox in a way because, when I give up the ambition to help other people, it seems I'm helping them even more.
I don't look at anything like 'this is my work life and this is my personal life'... It's just life and I put everything I have into everything and that's it... It's so much more meaningful when everything touches.
"I didn't go to the page with words that rhymed in mind.
It came from a deep place and it traveled to my fingertips and I started to write it. And write it and write it and write it... And that's when you know you've done justice to your gifts: when you have emptied out your soul full."
When you go on a hike, do you hike down to the lowlands or do you hike up to the highlands? ... I think every human wants that perspective from a little higher.
By helping people, you are helped.
We are addicted to holding on to stuff and it just becomes one more ‘thing’. It’s wonderful to create this beautiful thing and then just let go of it.
Art is just an extension of who you are as a person.
About - 3 Minute Storyteller
Now that we’re 80 stories in, our sense of what is possible with 3-Minute Storyteller has evolved. When we started, we were hungry to explore what it means to be fully human with inspiring people.
Our storytellers—a wildly eclectic bunch of artists, scientists, leaders of all stripes—are legendary change agents—some you may know and, hopefully, many you don’t.
In the beginning, the idea was to briefly introduce you to brilliant and inspiring people in hopes that those stories would help urge you to live your own inspired vision.
But a funny thing kept happening: we got really caught up in the conversations we were having and the connections we were seeing. Our 15-minute chats started turning into hour-long, deep dives. People opened themselves to us in ways we hadn’t imagined, and it ended up opening us up too.
Over the past three years, things have gotten so topsy-turvy and polarized, especially here in America. We’ve found that people need the timelessness and universal connection of stories more than ever. Not only do they connect us to our essence and shared humanity, these conversations hold a deeper power that, quite honestly, we didn’t see coming:
We’ve learned that when these stories touch us, they activate this indescribable, but unmistakable current. This current courses between us. It transforms many distinct us into one collective we, enlivening each one of us as it flows.
We’ve learned that our stories at 3-Minute Storyteller are sacred containers for this current.
And maybe the craziest thing we’ve learned? The more awareness we bring to this current, the more powerful it gets! As we’ve plugged in, we’ve discovered just how many of us are out here working for love. We’ve found the most unbelievable love army: partners, collaborators and conspirers who are shaping the kind of world we want to live in.
You may have noticed that though our videos have held fast to our original mission of telling fascinating stories in just three minutes, our intro blurbs have become more like essays. And we let that happen. Because, to be honest, our thoughts on the people we talk to just couldn’t be contained.
In fact, the most common request we get from people is: “I want to hear the whole conversation—not just three minutes of it.”
We’ve been utterly transformed, and we want you to join us. That’s why we’re so excited to kick off the new year with more ways to connect with you:
- A new podcast called For the Love of Conversation where you’ll be able to hear the full expansive and intimate conversations with our storytellers.
- This new glorious website that provides the container that these stories deserve.
- A new (old) ’74 VW Bus named “Scarlet” that we’ve been painstakingly restoring into a mobile storytelling unit so we can take this show on the road and meet more of you.
And best of all, deepening relationships with you and with this community, as we connect together into the current of love.
Thanks for loving us back,
Mike and Shannon
Short stories for children. Read online with pictures.
This section of our site contains short stories Russian writers for children of all ages.
Small works are more easily perceived by young readers. The child can listen to short stories to the end with pleasure. A little later, he himself will begin to read these small masterpieces of literature.
Parents often do not have enough time to read long books. For example, before going to bed or on the road. In these cases, our selection of short stories will be very useful to you.
In addition, short stories will help the child learn to retell texts :
— Before reading the story, explain to the child the meaning of all incomprehensible words and situations;
- After reading a short story, ask questions to find out the degree of understanding of the text. If the child is not ready to retell the text in full, then you can start with a partial retelling. For example, you tell the text, and the child completes individual words or sentences.
- Then ask them to retell the text on their own. If difficulties arise, then your tips and leading questions will help to master the retelling!
- You can tell the text in turn. So you teach your child not only to talk, but also to listen carefully.
A well-known story about two friends and a kitten whose hat fell off a chest of drawers. The boys at first thought that the hat had come to life and were very frightened. But soon the secret of the hat was discovered.
.. The story The living hat read The hat was lying on...
Dragunsky's funny and instructive story about how Denis imagined himself as an adult. The boy dreamed about how he would scold his father, mother and grandmother for misbehavior: being late, walking without a hat, talking at dinner, etc. This ...
Grade 2A funny story about a boy who didn't want to eat semolina. Mom promised to take him to the Kremlin if he ate all the porridge. Deniska adds sugar, salt, water and even horseradish to the porridge to make it more…
Grade 1Dragunsky's story about three guys who didn't pronounce the letter Sh. It all started when a truck with a Christmas tree drove into the courtyard of the house. Alyonka says: “Look, there are detectives hanging on the Christmas tree.” This is where it started…
1-2 grade A story about a boy and a girl who read the fairy tale Three Little Pigs and decided to build a house out of blankets and chairs. And suddenly it seemed to the boy that a gray wolf grabbed his leg .
.. The story of the Entertainer read We and ...
An instructive story about shame, about not taking other people's things, about the fact that a misdemeanor will be punished. Read the story about Lyola and Minka, who ate candy from the New Year tree and opened presents… Christmas tree read…
An instructive story about the blacksmith's son Vasya. The boy was very fond of riding a cart drawn by his father's horse. The blacksmith did not approve of this. Once Vasya took a cart and went to the forest. A branch got into the wheel and started whipping the boy…
Grade 2A story about a boy named Bobka, who had wonderful khaki pants. Climbing over the fence, the boy tore his pants, and his mother got angry and did not sew them up. Bobka decided to put the patch himself... The story Patch to read U...
One day Deniska and Mishka played hockey and were late for the lessons. They came up with a good reason, but never agreed. As a result, the deceit came out.
A fire in an outbuilding or a feat in the ice read We…
Pyotr Terentyev, going to war, received from his son a beetle, which he found in the garden, as a gift. Peter put him in a box, fed him and let him fly. The beetle went through the whole war with the soldier. Adventures of a rhinoceros beetle…
This story is about a four-year-old boy, Petya. Mom took great care of him, fed him with a spoon and dressed him. One morning, mother put Petya on his feet from the bed, and he fell. Mom was terribly scared and even called ...
A funny story about how two friends dreamed of driving a car. Once a car drove into the yard and the boys began to find out what brand it was. And then Mishka sat on the bumper and offered to ride it... Story...
Dragunsky's humorous story about two friends, Denisk and Pavel, who met on the last day of summer. The boys ate watermelon and talked about how they spent their holidays. And then Pavel began to brag that he had been studying English all summer.
Deniska…
A story about Mishenka, to whom his mother promised a lollipop for his good behavior. While mom was not at home, the boy climbed into the sideboard, found a lollipop in the sugar bowl and began to suck it. After eating all the candy, he decided to put the sugar bowl on ...
Grade 4A story about two brothers who came with their mother to Moscow to visit their aunt. When the adults left home, the boys also decided to see the city and ride the subway. Yes, but the brothers are underground...
A story about Lyola and Minka, to whom their grandmother came. Grandma brought cakes. But Lele wanted something else and she asked her grandmother about it. The grandmother was angry with the girl, depriving her of a gift - new coins. They are all…
The Four Wishes tells about the delights of all seasons. The boy Mitya did not want winter to end, then he really liked spring, then summer ... And all because every season is beautiful in its own way! Four desires to read Mitya .
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A short story about how dad taught Mitya to be neat. The boy quickly planed the stick and it turned out not very smoothly. Papa said that the knife was in a hurry and he had to be taught patience. A hurried knife read Mitya planed his stick, planed it...
A story about a boy, Alik, who was very afraid of policemen. Once Alik got lost, a policeman approached him, but the boy started to run. Then he was caught, but he still did not want to talk to the law enforcement officer ... The story of the Policeman read More ...
Grade 2A story about a girl Tanya, who herself grew currants from cuttings. To do this, she had to work hard: pull out the mugs, dig up the sod, plant cuttings and take care of them. But the work was not in vain. Already next year…
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❄️ About winter for 3-4 years old ⛄ About winter for 5-8 years old 🎄 About New Year for 5-8 years old 🧑🎄 About Santa Claus 5-8 years old0018
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Mysterious bag
Tatar fairy tale
There was an old bathhouse on the edge of the village.
People were afraid to wash in it - they said that an evil spirit lives there. One day, young men and women gathered for a party in the same house. When it is time to go to bed, the girls… -
An owl named Yabalak
Tatar fairy tale
One day an owl named Yabalak caught a small bird. He holds it in his beak - he is going to eat it. And the poor bird asks: “Oh, owl, you are strong and smart. But please tell me your name. Before I die, I want ...
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Zilyan
Tatar fairy tale
A fairy tale about how three clever and skillful brothers saved their sister from the hands of a terrible diva giant. "Zilyan" read They say that in ancient times there lived one poor, poor man. He had three sons and one daughter. They made themselves a boy out of dough. The son began to grow by leaps and bounds: in one month he grew as much as another and in a whole ...
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Geese in the polynya
Astafiev V.
P. A story about how a goose and her goslings got into a polynya on the Yenisei. The hero of the story and his friends saved the geese from death, they risked themselves. "Geese in the polynya" read Freezing on the Yenisei comes gradually. First…
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The smell of hay
Astafiev V.P.
Two boys, cousins, are eager to help their grandfather and uncle bring hay from distant mowing. However, they are not taken with them, the road is hard, the work is difficult. But in the evening, when the hay is already in the yard, the guys are willing and ...
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Autumn sorrows and joys
Astafiev V.P.
Autumn is a hot time. It is necessary to collect and prepare the entire crop. A story about how a large amount of cabbage is salted for the winter in one of the Siberian villages. It is in some way a mystical and interesting ritual and process….
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A photograph where I am not present
Astafiev V.
P. A story about true friendship, sincere love for the native land and shows what a real teacher should be like. It is important to remember those who were with you as a child. These people can be an important part of your life. And together…
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Russian women
Nekrasov N.A.
Contents: ♦ I. Princess Trubetskaya ♦ Part one ♦ Part two ♦ Princess M.N. Volkonskaya ♦ Chapter I ♦ Chapter II ♦ Chapter III ♦ Chapter IV…
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Tam Glen
Burns R.
Ah, aunt, I ask for advice! I prefer Tam Glen. With such a young man, I don't need to be afraid of the fate of change.0018
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Lines about war and love
Burns R.
Robbery covered with laurels, Both land and sea It's not worth glorifying. I'm ready to give my blood In that life-creating battle That we call love. I glorify the triumph of the world, Contentment and prosperity.
It is more pleasant to create one Than to destroy a dozen! -
What's a girl to do
Burns R.
What's a girl to do? What shall I do, little girl? How shall I, little girl, live with my hubby? He is grouchy and sick, always dissatisfied. There is coldness in his chest, ice in his hands. He groans, ...
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1 - Little Red Riding Hood
Charles Perrault
A short story about a trusting girl and a cunning gray wolf. Disobeying her mother, the girl turns off the road and talks to a stranger - a gray wolf ... "Little Red Riding Hood" read Once upon a time there was a little girl. Her mother loved her without memory, and her grandmother…
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2 - Three little pigs
Mikhalkov S.
A fairy tale about three pig brothers who built houses for themselves. One brother built a house out of straw, another out of twigs and twigs, and a third out of bricks.
"Three Little Pigs" read Once upon a time there were three little pigs in the world. Three brothers. All… -
3 - Kolobok
Russian folk tale
The tale about Kolobok is found in Russian and Ukrainian folklore, and also has analogues in fairy tales of many other nations. Our site presents a version of a folk tale in the processing of A.N. Tolstoy. "Gingerbread Man" read Once upon a time there was an old man with an old woman. Here ...
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4 - Turnip
Russian folk tale
Turnip is a well-known fairy tale for the smallest with a large number of repetitions. The child quickly remembers the sequence of presentation and a simple plot. "Turnip" read Grandfather planted a turnip and says: - Grow a turnip, sweet, sweet! Grow big, big! A turnip has grown, sweet and big, big….
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5 - A wolf and seven kids
Russian folk tale
The tale tells about an evil wolf who changed his voice, made his way into the goat's house and ate the little kids.
But the mother goat will be able to save her children and get rid of the wolf. "The Wolf and the Seven Kids" read Once upon a time there was a goat with kids .... -
6 - The Tale of Tsar Saltan
Pushkin A.S.
The tale of Tsar Saltan, of his son, the glorious and mighty hero Prince Gvidon Saltanovich, and of the beautiful Swan Princess was created on the basis of the folk tale "Wonderful Sons". Alexander Sergeevich Pushkin enriched the folk work with new plot twists, ...
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7 - Bremen town musicians
Entin Yu.S. and Livanov V.B.
The story of the animals and the young Troubadour who went to the city of Bremen to become street musicians. In the city they stopped in front of the royal castle. The king and the princess came out onto the balcony of the palace, the townspeople came running to the square and it began…
A fairy tale about a girl Zhenya, who was presented with a magic seven-flower flower.
It had seven petals and could grant any seven wishes. Zhenya spent the first six wishes, but did not receive any pleasure and only made her last wish ... -
9 - The Snow Queen
Hans Christian Andersen
The Snow Queen is one of Hans Christian Andersen's most famous fairy tales about love that can overcome any trial and melt even an icy heart! "The Snow Queen" read Table of Contents: ♦ The first story, which tells about ...
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10 - Three Bears
Russian folk tale
Three Bears - a fairy tale about a girl who got lost in the forest and ended up in the bears' house. There she behaved very rudely: without permission, she ate from every cup, sat on every chair, lay down in every bed, ...
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11 - Geese-swans
Russian folk tale
Geese-swans - a fairy tale about how a boy was carried away by geese-swans and his sister went to look for him.
The stove, apple tree and river helped the girl save her brother. Read the fairy tale in the processing of A.N. Tolstoy. "Geese-swans" read There lived a man and a woman. U… -
12 - The Wizard of the Emerald City
Volkov A.M.
"The Wizard of the Emerald City" - a fairy tale by Alexander Volkov written at 1939 based on the fairy tale by the American writer Frank Baum "The Wise Man of Oz" with some changes. In 1959, a new edition of the book was published, significantly revised ...
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13 - Winnie the Pooh and all, all, all
Alan Milne
A cheerful and beloved fairy tale about Winnie the Pooh does not obey the laws of the fairy tale genre. The tale is devoid of negative characters, the struggle between good and evil forces. The main characters of the tale are the toys of the boy Christopher, with whom funny situations happen in a magical ...
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14 - The Frog Princess
Russian folk tale
The Frog Princess is a Russian folk tale where the main character, Ivan Tsarevich, married a frog by the will of fate.
Ivan had no idea that his wife was Vasilisa the Wise, turned by Koshchei into a frog. Ivan hurried, burned the frog's skin and had to ... -
15 - The Fox and the Crane
Russian folk tale
The Fox and the Crane is a fairy tale about friendship between a cunning fox and a clever crane. The crane could not eat the semolina porridge, which the Fox smeared on a plate. He invited her to his place and treated her to a delicious okroshka, which he put ...
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16 - Masha and the Bear
Russian folk tale
Masha and the Bear is a fairy tale about a girl who got lost in the forest and ended up in a bear's hut. The bear did not let Mashenka go home, however, the girl came up with a way to return to her grandparents. Masha and ...
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17 - The Tale of the Fisherman and the Fish
Pushkin A.S.
The tale of a poor fisherman who caught a golden fish in his net.
The old man took pity on the fish, released it into the sea. For this, the fish promised to fulfill his every wish. The old man didn’t ask for anything, but when he returned home, he told about… -
18 - Hen Ryaba
Russian folk tale
Hen Ryaba is the first fairy tale-parable that mothers read to their babies. Children quickly grasp a simple plot and remember it by heart. Hen Ryaba read Once upon a time there was a grandfather and a woman. And they had a Ryaba Hen. The hen laid an egg, yes…
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19 - Thumbelina
Hans Christian Andersen
The fairy tale about Thumbelina is loved by children all over the world. A tiny girl born from a flower goes through many trials on the way to her happiness. Fate rewards Thumbelina for her kind heart. The swallow she rescued earlier endures...
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20 - The Little Mermaid
Hans Christian Andersen
A touching tale of the Little Mermaid's strong love for the prince.
The little mermaid is ready to give up everything that is dear to her for the sake of the human soul and the love of the prince ... The fairy tale formed the basis of the plots of many films, cartoons and musicals. The Little Mermaid read In the open… -
21 - Puss in Boots
Charles Perrault
The tale of an unusual cat, which was inherited by the younger brother from the miller's father. The young man was not very happy at first with his share of the inheritance, but the cunning and intelligent cat made him the richest man and son-in-law of the king ... The cat in ...
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22 - Sleeping Beauty
Charles Perrault
A fairy tale about a beautiful princess who was cursed by an offended fairy at a party in honor of her birth. The old fairy predicted the girl's death from a spindle prick, but the good fairy was able to commute the sentence. The girl did not die, but fell asleep on…
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23 - Porridge from an ax
Russian folk tale
Porridge from an ax is a short fairy tale about a witty soldier.
The greedy old woman did not want to feed the soldier, but he outwitted her and got porridge with butter ... Read porridge from an ax The old soldier went on a visit. Tired in… -
24 - The ugly duckling
Hans Christian Andersen
A fairy tale about the miraculous transformation of an ugly duckling into a beautiful swan. The duckling was born unlike his brothers, the inhabitants of the poultry yard disliked him for his dissimilarity to the others. The duckling had to leave the house and go through many trials before he…
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25 - The Princess and the Pea
Hans Christian Andersen
A short story about how the prince wanted to marry a real princess. One day, a girl knocked on the gate, who was soaked to the skin, but assured that she was a real princess. She was allowed to sleep, and the old queen gave her a check…… 9Sister Alyonushka and brother Ivanushka -there was an old man and an old woman, they had .
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27 - Fear has big eyes
Russian folk tale
Fear has big eyes - a short fairy tale about the fact that from fear you can see what was not really ... ( from the collection of M.M. Serova) Fear has big eyes to read Once upon a time there was an old grandmother, a laughing granddaughter, a chicken-klokhtushka and a mouse-leaf. Each…
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28 - Bean seed
Russian folk tale
The cockerel and the bean seed is a Russian folk tale about a rooster who was always in a hurry when he pecked at the seeds. The hen warned him all the time and asked him to peck more slowly. One day he choked on a bean seed and fell down. But the chicken...
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29 - Sivka Burka
Russian folk tale
Sivka-Burka is a fairy tale about the adventures of Ivan the Fool and his gallant horse. Sivka Burka read The old man had three sons: two smart ones, and the third Ivanushka the Fool; day and night the fool is lying on the stove.
The old man sowed wheat, and it grew ... -
30 - Crocodile Gena and his friends
Uspensky E.N.
The tale of the lonely crocodile Gena. Coming home from work from the zoo, he was left alone and bored. Crocodile Gena decided to make friends with someone. He wrote an announcement that he was looking for friends, hung them around the city and ...
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31 - Baba Yaga
Russian folk tale a cat… Read Baba Yaga Once upon a time there was a husband and wife, and they had a daughter. The wife fell ill and died. Grieved, grieved ...
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32 - Twelve months
Samuil Marshak
Do you know how many months there are in a year? - Twelve. And what are their names? — January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December. As soon as one month ends, another immediately begins. And…
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33 - Teremok
Russian folk audio fairy tale
Teremok is a short fairy tale for kids about a house that sheltered many animals.
However, the tower could not accommodate a huge bear and broke. -
34 - The tale of the priest and his worker Balda
Pushkin A.S.
The tale of the stingy priest and resourceful worker Balda. Somehow Balda was hired for the service for three clicks on the forehead of the priest. When the time of reckoning was approaching, the priest decided to give Balda an impossible task in order to get rid of him. But Balda…
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35 - Little Humpbacked Horse
Ershov P.
An old man lived in a village and had three sons. They grew wheat and sold it in the market. But then someone got into the habit of trampling wheat in the field at night ... Table of contents: ♦ Part one. Starting…
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36 - Alice in Wonderland
Carroll L.
A captivating story about a girl Alice, who met a talking White Rabbit and ended up in amazing worlds where she met very unusual characters .
.. Chapter 1. Down the rabbit hole Alice got bored of sitting with his sister on the shore… -
37 - The Little Prince
Antoine de Saint-Exupéry
A fairy tale about how a pilot, who remained a child at heart, met the Little Prince in the desert, who arrived from another planet. Dedication I ask the children to forgive me for dedicating this book to an adult. I’ll justify it: this one…
3 Principles of the Pulitzer Laureate Jackie Banazhinsky
3 Principles of Storitelling from the Pulitzer laureate Jackie Banazhinsky
Byyasi 9000 Svoyasiat the conference under the conference under the conference under the conference under the conference under coffee with Pulitzer Prize winner Jackie Banaczynski.
Thursday, a quiet cafe and a small table where we gathered. There were not many of us, and everyone had the opportunity to talk about the text that they are currently working on.
There were journalists at the table, a writer, a PR man, a photographer… and everyone was interested in storytelling.
We talked in detail, discussed ideas. But sometimes Jackie made generalizations and gave universal recommendations. Three of them I want to share with you today.
1. Write Like a Photographer
"Many writers in the US will tell you they've learned more about storytelling from photographers than anyone else," says Jackie.
First, because the photographer knows how to choose the focus. Secondly, because the photographer knows how to see the scene. Thirdly, because photographers are well aware of where and how to look for a character. And yet ... photographers can masterfully predict the action.
Jackie says that when she was a reporter, she was constantly paired with a photographer. And each of these photographers helped her learn to write better.
“They know how to see the whole situation and how to see the essential details.
And all this is necessary in order to write well, she adds.
I love watching sports photographers. The best of them are so good at anticipating the action that they pre-select the best position for the perfect shot.”
Turn your notebook into a camera. Let each page become a lens.
2. Show the unusual to the ordinary — and vice versa
That Thursday, our narrow circle gathered both authors who write about famous people and authors who want to tell the story of a small person.
Both have difficulties and doubts. How to tell about a famous person without turning him into a boring bronze bust? How to portray the neighbor Aunt Zoya in such a way that it would be interesting to read also a rock star?
“You're looking for the same thing,” Jackie replied. - You are looking for something universal, something that makes the reader relate (it will be close to the reader).
It should be something that shows a famous person - a person like me.
And something that will make a completely unknown person important.”
That is, if you are writing about something distant and not very clear - for example, about string theory or about stars exploding in space - you will have to find a way to make it simple and understandable to the reader. For example, tell how you fell in love with the stars and how your routine life is now built around them.
If you are writing about the ordinary, the well-known, then the opposite is true: you need to make it exciting. You have to show how something ordinary becomes very, very interesting and important.
When you write about people, the same thing happens.
“Who is Bill Gates? Jackie asks. - The richest man in the world. His family is so well guarded that no one, except for people close to her, knows what kind of people they are. I would really like to know the details of their ordinary, human life. How do they communicate with children? How do they refuse a child if they are the richest people on earth? A child comes and wants an iPhone.
How do you say "no" to him if you own Microsoft? It would be interesting to read about this! Right?
At the same time, if I read about a working mother who has three children and who is not remarkable by anyone in terms of social standards, I need you to show her at the moment of an important choice or, for example, a feat of love.
It turns out that a story touches the reader if it has both of these planes: the ordinary (what we can identify with) and the special (what makes the character a hero).
3. Ground your story
Have you ever heard the term “storytelling physics”? Don't worry if it's not: Jackie's friend came up with it 🙂 Here's what it is:
The more detailed, specific, intimate a story is, the more universal it is.
The more you can ground your story (again, it's a lot like a photograph), the more specific it is, the more people will feel it's about them.
“So your goal when you tell stories is not to preach or explain what it all means…because the reader wants to figure it all out for himself.
Your goal is to ground the story so that I, as a reader, can project my own experience into it.”
Jackie works with complex topics. In the early 1980s, AIDS was just beginning to be talked about. He had just come to America, and everyone was terrified.
The story for which Jackie won the Pulitzer Prize is about this. She wrote about a gay couple who were both diagnosed as HIV positive. It was a long work, and Jackie lived with the heroes of the publication until their death.
“I'm from a tiny village,” she says, “my parents are very, very old school people. And I never really showed them what kind of stories I write. But then - Boom! - Pulitzer Prize. And, of course, they are eager to read what they gave me it for.
"Okay," I tell them, "I'll send it to you, but you won't like this story." Of course, how can they like a text about two men who have a lot of sex and then they die.
In general, I gave this text to my mother.
