I have always been enamored by story. That’s why I became a writer 30 years ago. I have used story in my life in multiple ways and formats. Early in my career, I wanted to be a literary fiction writer so I learned well how to craft a story. To pay the bills, I wrote others’ stories, whether it was feature articles, press releases, or marketing materials. Then, I was “discovered” by a national training company and leveraged story to teach values, beliefs and behaviors.
My own story fell apart when I was fifty. That’s when I entered graduate school and studied personal mythology. I wanted to understand what happened to my story, why it broke apart, what I could do to piece together a new story, whether there was a larger mythology that directed my own. The result was a new story for me. It was also a methodology for unearthing story in a life, a group and a society.
Along the way, I unearthed my deeper story. Story informs who I am and how I see the world. But it is not the whole story of who I am. More so, I am a scout who travels into the interior of a subject (often my own life but also subject areas I’m researching for creative projects). Once there, I map the terrain, talk with the natives, write stories, and create tools.
Today, I leverage the power of story as a writer, facilitator and instructional designer. (See my bio.) So whether you’re an editor or organization in need of stories, a helping professional who wants to encourage clients’ stories, or an individual in need of a new story, you’ve come to the right place. I work with people one-on-one and in groups and organizations.
Are you part of my tribal story? If so, let’s talk. But first, learn my story. Share yours. Then, if you see a place where your story meets mine, let’s discuss the next chapter.