Storytelling
Using emotion and expression, I tell family stories, original stories, folk tales and tales from other lands. Some of the stories are "just for fun," but others include a moral or a lesson "to be learned."
I will find stories to fit your specific theme. In the past I've told stories to fit Medieval, Christmas, and Pioneer themes. In Storytelling Workshops, I also like to help children and adults learn the magic of telling their own stories.
Props may be used for some stories, but mostly the audience gets the chance to use their imagination while they listen.
What Others Say...
“Sue Ford is a wonderful storyteller!
She has performed in my 5th grade classroom several times and each encounter has been very professional and well received. The kids love her stories.”
-Bob Hodges
Elementary School Teacher
“If you are looking for some fine entertainment for a group of children,
any age, I would like to recommend to you Sue Ford . . . She has done a great job of capturing the interests of my students and activating their imaginations. Her stories just come to life through her body gestures, voice inflections and movements.”
-Leslie A. Smith
Middle School Teacher
“I liked how you used hand motions.
It made the story more imaginable, enjoyable and easier to understand. I thought you did a very wonderful job! It was such a fantastic story.”
-6th grade student
Fees: see Writing Program Fees
Preferred Audiences: any age
Did you know?
Storytelling festivals are held all over the country? People of all ages attend to hear the stories, learn more about storytelling and meet others interested in the art.
Here's why...
"We are lonesome animals.
We spend all of our life trying
to be less lonesome. One of our ancient methods is to tell a story begging the listener to say and to feel, 'Yes, that is the way it is, or at least that is the way I feel it.' You're not as alone as you thought."
-John Steinbeck
Storytelling happens all over the world. There are storytelling organizations that are local, national and international. See some organizations below.
Storytelling Links
International Storytelling Center
National Storytelling Membership Association
National Storytelling Network
Story Arts
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Speaking
Writing Programs
For Children:
From Kid to Writer
Sue shares some of her published works and what inspired them, and talks about how long it took her books to be in print. She also does writing exercises with kids on “showing versus telling,” using specific nouns, adjectives that count, active verbs, and more. (Trained in Six Writing Traits.) Kids love the interactive portions!
Program length: 45 minutes to an hour.
For Adults:
Mind Your C’s and Q’s
focusses on Query and Cover letters, inQuiry letters—including requests for guidelines and catalogs as well as manuscript status, plus a brief discussion on Contracts.
The Nuts and Bolts of Writing for Children
includes goals, planning, getting to work, how to “show don’t tell,” dialogue tips, rewriting and marketing.
Swift Fiction – the Short Story in Focus
discusses the elements of short story writing with a focus on the storyline, theme, and main character.
Writing for Children's Magazines
covers the ups and downs of Writing for Children’s Magazines, what sells, how to write for children’s magazines: including: study, research, and staying organized, how to sell to magazines, keeping track of submissions, magazine rights and what they mean, and more.
Program lengths: 1 to 2 hours, depending on audience need.
If there is a specific writing related subject you would like her to discuss, just ask.
Writing Talks
Sue can talk to small groups or all school assemblies on “Dreams Can Come True” about how she became a writer.
Fees
$100. per hour - $400. per day
(minimum fee - $75.)
mileage and housing negotiable
Preferred Audiences
Writing Programs: 4th grade-Adult
Writing Talks: Kindergarten through Adult
Equipment Needs
LCD projector or overhead projector - microphone for large groups
Speaking Experience
Sue has taught workshops at the Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators, Western Washington, Annual Conference; University of Washington extension program; Write on the Sound; the Oregon Christian Writers Conference; The Writer's Place (Kansas City, MO); Kansas Society of Children's Book Writers and Illustrators Retreat; and been a guest speaker at Northwest Christian College and Puget Sound Christian College in Washington state.
She has spoken to children at River Read Children's Literature Festival (Park University) in Missouri; Northwest ESD 189 Young Author Conference in Washington; and in a variety of schools in Washington state, Kansas and Missouri.
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