Odd Salon SF: Storycraft Workshop

Polish your storytelling skills with techniques honed over six years of bringing strange but true stories, coaching speakers, and learning to edit, revise, and rile up an audience for the stage at Odd Salon

This is a hands-on, collaborative working session with other storytellers, covering the process from topic selection through identifying key story components and arranging materials to build tension, to crafting a final version.

Whether you are a seasoned speaker looking to increase your skillset, considering getting on stage for the first time, or looking into creating other story-driven media such as podcasts, this workshop will provide practical tools to make you a better storyteller.

We'll provide: workshop materials, a copy of the Odd Salon Storycraft Workbook you can take home, pens and notepads, caffeine delivery systems and afternoon snacks.

Plan on bringing: a non-fiction story you want to work on - a past talk, something new you are still crafting, or select a random interesting subject just for yourself. Bring your notes, and any previous draft, preferably in paper form. (Laptops optional - we won't be doing anything that requires one). We will also provide story starter kits from the Odd Salon library if you’d like to take a challenge round, or don't have a particular story in mind.

Led by Annetta Black, Co-founder and Curator of Odd Salon.

At this workshop, we will cover:

• Practical advice for public speakers and storytellers, including common pitfalls and traps
• The important difference between a "topic" and a "story" and how to bridge the gap
• Defining tension points, and shaping reality into stories with a beginning, middle, and end
• Various types of narrative structures , from the three act arc to six degrees of Catherine de Medici
• Openings, closings, and flourishes for public speakers
• Tips for editing, clarifying, and cutting time when needed
• Ways to engage audiences, deal with hecklers, and encourage participation
• Constructive feedback for personal improvement

Our workbook also includes resources for independent researchers, public domain images sources, and worksheets you can use for plotting out future stories.

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Coronavirus/Covid-19 event contingency policies and plans:

Updated March 9, 2020

As of now this workshop is ON. We are still planning to host our upcoming salons, workshops, and member outings. If we need to cancel for any reason, we will issue a full refund.

If we do end up needing to cancel our existing salon or workshop dates, we plan to re-schedule them as soon as it is safe to do so, and find some creative online things to do in the meantime. We will continue to update via our social channels and via our email list as the situation evolves. Please feel free to reach out with any questions or concerns. https://www.oddsalon.com/contact/