Tag Archives: storytelling

Tips for Writers: Always Tell the Truth, Even When You’re Lying

Posted on June 26, 2021 by mitchteemley

Photo by Thom Milkovic Most of us are familiar with the Blind Men and the Elephant story. Its point is twofold: No one has a complete picture, even if they were “there in person,” but… Everyone knows what they think … Continue reading →

Posted in Writing | Tagged , , , , , , , , | 41 Comments

Cute? Don’t Let the Picture Fool You!

Posted on March 2, 2021 by mitchteemley

My Real Memoir I’ve always lived in my head. And, although it’s undoubtedly in my nature to be that way, nurture also played a role. Or rather a certain lack of nurture, which is not to say that my parents … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir | Tagged , , , , , , , | 39 Comments

Use Your Stories to Heal

Posted on June 23, 2020 by mitchteemley

In my fantasy novel The Wishing Map, a fierce impromptu battle breaks out between two groups of naims (gnomes) in the midst of a storytelling contest. One beloved old naim, Tuber, is fatally injured while trying to make peace. His … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Movies, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 15 Comments

Telling Stories

Posted on May 18, 2020 by mitchteemley

If I was a greeting card, I’d be one of those illustrated story cards, the ones with the little built-in music tracks. I honestly can’t remember a time I wasn’t captivated by words, pictures and music. Or by wanting to … Continue reading →

Posted in For Pastors and Teachers, Humor, Memoir, Movies, Story Power | Tagged , , , , | 26 Comments

Tips for Writers: Frustrate Your Hero

Posted on January 28, 2020 by mitchteemley

Writers, I know what you’re thinking, “Well, of course. I always seek the Rolling Stones’ advice when I’m creating characters and storylines.” Or maybe not. But Mick does have a point: Instead of building a conventional dramatic arc by having … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Humor, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 26 Comments

Real Life Fairytale Places

Posted on January 3, 2020 by mitchteemley

At the beginning of every year I plan, or rather plan to plan. But unofficially I dream of escape, and having cut my literary teeth on fairytales and fantasies, it’s fairytale settings like these I long to visit, or even … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 44 Comments

I’m Not an Actor, I Just Play One on TV

Posted on July 8, 2019 by mitchteemley

Yes, I’m an actor. I even have a diploma to prove it. But that doesn’t automatically mean they let me act on TV, or anyplace else for that matter (you know how “they” are). In fact, I just auditioned for … Continue reading →

Posted in Humor, Memoir, Writing | Tagged , , , , , , | 80 Comments

Tips for Writers: Find Someone to Love Story With

Posted on July 5, 2018 by mitchteemley

“Reading makes immigrants of us all. It takes us away from home, but more important, it finds homes for us everywhere.” ~Jean Rhys Perhaps the most universal piece of advice for writers is, “Read, read, read!” Let me just amen … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, Memoir, Quips and Quotes, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 30 Comments

Tips for Writers: Subconscious Mannerisms

Posted on June 8, 2018 by mitchteemley

My high school drama teacher had a quirky habit: first he’d pull on his nose, and then he’d push on it. One day, in the midst of a discussion about mannerisms, he told us where this habit came from: As … Continue reading →

Posted in Books, Humor, Memoir, Story Power, Writing | Tagged , , , , | 33 Comments

Tips for Writers: On Universality

Posted on April 9, 2018 by mitchteemley

There may be writers who want to alienate their readers. (I can’t think of any, off-hand, perhaps because they’ve been so successful in achieving their goal.) But the rest of us want to draw our readers in. We want them … Continue reading →

Posted in Culture, Memoir, Story Power, Writing | Tagged , , , , , | 43 Comments