Are you curious about story slams? Do you want to learn how to put a compelling story together and deliver a winning performance?
If so, St. Albert writer-in-residence Margaret Macpherson is at your service. She will deliver Set-up, Knockdown: How to tell a Fabulous Five-minute Slam Story, a 90-minute workshop next Wednesday at the library.
With the traditional StArts Fest story slam set for Sept. 27, this workshop is geared for people interested in learning how to build an exciting story, said Macpherson.
“I will instruct them on how to tell a good five-minute story and give feedback. It’s to give them confidence,” she said. “It’s about finding the story, shaping the story and presenting it. And that all comes with trust and confidence.”
Macpherson will guide participants through a series of exercises that include discussing the makings of a strong story, writing a draft or two and attempting a first read.
“I want participants to come to the workshop with ideas, but nothing written down, and I’ll try to give hints on how to break a story down in manageable pieces.”
Macpherson, who entered the story slam scene by accident, was crowned the 2010 Edmonton Story Slam Society’s Story Slam Queen.
“They had story slams every month and there was a winner for each. At the end of the year we all competed in a slam-off. To win, you have to have a finely-crafted story. You’re up against the best storytellers in the city.”
For the veteran writer, slamming is risky, fun and a good way to share her experiences with others to create a sense of community.
“It’s like sitting around a campfire. It conjures closeness and there’s a certain intimacy because people share things that happen to them or things they think about with strangers. The more vulnerable you make yourself, the more potent it is to the listener.”
Slam workshop numbers will be capped at 12 participants. To register for this interactive workshop, call 780-459-1682.
“I’m at the library and I would love to see people. I’m booking into the third week in September. If people want to talk about their writing or discuss the slam, I’m happy to see people.”
Macpherson’s library hours are Monday to Thursday from 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Wednesday from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m., and every second Saturday from noon to 4:30 p.m.
