It is a true pleasure to lend my blog space to Author Jacqui Murray so that she can tell you about a new release!
Am I a storyteller? Are you?
By Jacqui Murray
Storyteller vs. writer. It took me a long time and a lot of experience to realize the difference between these two. They both describe authors who create fiction but one makes you want to curl into a comfortable chair and get lost in the tale while the other encourages you to find a better you from what you’re reading. Do you know which one that is?
When I read one, I am awed by the beauty of the words chosen, how they flow together, the emotions they evoke from somewhere within me. The other–I don’t think about the artistry of the writing because I’m too lost in the characters, plot, scenery, and drama.
One is serious writing–where you are expected to learn something, grow within yourself, rigorously examine your thoughts and beliefs. The other–all that’s expected is that you forget the world exists for a period of time and immerse yourself in a different reality created by the author.
One is designed to make you a better person as you travel the journey with the main characters. The other–the goal is to entertain. You will probably come out a better person but the purpose is something else. I don’t think Hemingway wrote Old Man and the Sea as much to entertain as to examine an issue. Which was he–storyteller or writer?
One covers a vast swath of authors, from novice to well-seasoned. The other–you really can’t award yourself that title. Readers do it for you, by their love of your fiction, their eagerness for the next story.
Serious people–authors and readers–have different connotations of these writing styles, often judgmental, sometimes wrong, at least in my worldview. I found this one online. I’ll leave it anonymous but you can click the link and find out who it was. The article resonated with a lot of readers–he has 396 comments!
Writers speak in low, thoughtful tones, and everyone gathers around them at parties as they spontaneously leap into a wine-heightened progression of playful prose and insightful social commentary. Storytellers are generally at the same party, twitching in a closet as they fumble about with an over-willing partner, or, more often, by themselves.
I thought XXXX was pretty accurate about writers’ opinions of themselves and in the end, when I finished the article, not too far off about storytellers (though I objected to the hypercritical nature of the initial description).
Which are you?
A boy blinded by fire. A woman raised by wolves. An avowed enemy offers help.
Summary
In this second of the Dawn of Humanity trilogy, the first trilogy in the Man vs. Nature saga, Lucy and her eclectic group escape the treacherous tribe that has been hunting them and find a safe haven in the famous Wonderwerk caves in South Africa. Though they don’t know it, they will be the oldest known occupation of caves by humans. They don’t have clothing, fire, or weapons, but the caves keep them warm and food is plentiful. But they can’t stay, not with the rest of the tribe enslaved by an enemy. To free them requires not only the prodigious skills of Lucy’s unique group–which includes a proto-wolf and a female raised by the pack–but others who have no reason to assist her and instinct tells Lucy she shouldn’t trust.
Set 1.8 million years ago in Africa, Lucy and her tribe struggle against the harsh reality of a world ruled by nature, where predators stalk them and a violent new species of man threatens to destroy their world. Only by changing can they prevail. If you ever wondered how earliest man survived but couldn’t get through the academic discussions, this book is for you. Prepare to see this violent and beautiful world in a way you never imagined.
A perfect book for fans of Jean Auel and the Gears!
Book information:
Title and author: Laws of Nature
Series: Book 2 in the Dawn of Humanity series
Genre: Prehistoric fiction
Editor: The extraordinary Anneli Purchase
Available print or digital) at: Kindle US Kindle UK Kindle CA Kindle AU Kindle India
Author bio:
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular prehistoric fiction saga, Man vs. Nature which explores seminal events in man’s evolution one trilogy at a time. She is also the author of the Rowe-Delamagente thrillers and Building a Midshipman , the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. Her non-fiction includes over a hundred books on integrating tech into education, reviews as an Amazon Vine Voice, a columnist for NEA Today, and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. Look for her next prehistoric fiction, Natural Selection, Winter 2022.
Social Media contacts:
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jacqui-Murray/e/B002E78CQQ/
Blog: https://worddreams.wordpress.com
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jacquimurraywriter/
LinkedIn: http://linkedin.com/in/jacquimurray
Pinterest: http://pinterest.com/askatechteacher
Twitter: http://twitter.com/worddreams
Website: https://jacquimurray.net
Great post! That was an interesting article on writer vs storyteller. I like to think I’m a combination, but I tend to avoid a label. I just started this story and can’t wait to see what happens:)
Thanks for hosting, Jan.
I think most of us are probably a combination of the two, Denise. And like you, I hate to put a label on my work. Congrats on starting a new story!! I can’t wait to see what happens too, because I know it will be awesome!
Interesting point of view. I hope you’re doing well on the tour.
Thanks for stopping by, Craig!
Thanks, Craig. It is going well. I’ve met a lot of new folks and reconnected with people I haven’t talked to in a while. I call that a victory!
Congratulations to Jacqui. Thanks, Jan, for hosting.
My pleasure, John! Thanks for visiting!
😊
Thanks, John. And to Jan for sharing her blog with me!
😁
Interesting question! I think we all are story tellers… this skill makes us write. Congratulations to Jacqui for such a wonderful book blast. Thanks for hosting Jan.
Thanks for stopping by, Balroop! I loved Jacqui’s comparison of writers and storytellers. Thanks for leaving a comment!
Thanks so much for visiting, Balroop!
Wonderful showcase, Jan. I’m so intrigued by Jacqui’s book. It’s a must-read for me. 😊
Thank you, Gwen! You’ll get to learn a lot about the life of your ancestors. They were amazing folk.
Thank you, Gwen! I agree about Jacqui’s book. Thank you for stopping by!
I think authors could be wonderful storytellers with the writer’s artistic writing skills whereas other authors write beautifully without the intention of building a story but the art of writing and the word pictures tell a different kind of story. Wonderful article, Jacqui! Thank you for hosting, Jan.
You are exactly right. I wouldn’t call most literary fiction writers or character-driven writers storytellers. Thanks for adding that.
Absolutely, Miriam. Thank you for stopping by!
My pleasure, Jan!
Thank you so much for hosting me, Jan! I had a few computer glitches this morning but got everything worked out. Love the coffee and biscuits!
It is my pleasure, Jacqui! I am thrilled to have you visit my blog today and wish for lots of sales!
This post reminded me of my great-grandfather. I’ve heard the tales from my mom and grandmother how he was gifted with the ‘touch’ of a true storyteller. Wonderful post, Jacqui! All the best with your new release. It sounds intriguing!
Then that apple did not fall far from the tree, Mary, because you are a truly gifted storyteller! Thank you for stopping by and for sharing!
I am going over to check that out, Jan. Thanks.
OK, I can’t find the link. Do you have a link to your blog, Mary? Thanks!
I can always tell when I am in the presence of a storyteller. Their first draft is as good as my last. They know the perfect balance between character and plot. It is a wonderful experience.
Jacqui, here is the link to Mary Morgan’s blog. I just finished reading the second book in the Wolves of Clan Sutherland series, and it was riveting, as was the first! https://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog
Great post today, Jan! Thanks for sharing Jacqui’s words and book with us. After reading this, I’d rather be more of a storyteller than a writer. The way I look at it, the storyteller must also be a gifted writer in order for a reader to lose him/herself in the story. It’s the storyteller that leaves me wanting to find my way back into the author’s world, and that’s the type of author I want to be. 🙂
You make a great point, Yvette. I think to be a gifted writer, the storyteller aspect has to be present. Thank you for stopping by and leaving a comment today!!
I have one guy I adore who is a Western storyteller. I’ve read all 105 of his books, a series. And will read the next 105. He never gets stale.
105! Wow! I have an author with 20+ books, and I thought that was a lot. I have read almost all of them and can’t wait to get to the ones I haven’t read yet. 🙂
Jan, this was a fascinating post from Jacqui. I clicked on the link and read the whole blog and it’s true that a combo of the two is dynamite! Can I add that storytellers need not use the written word at all? So, I part ways with the description of the storyteller hiding in a closet. My Dad was a natural storyteller and was the center of any party, keeping everyone spellbound (a trait I, sadly, did not inherit. I am the one in the closet, downing my drink so I can get the nerve to mingle). Lots of food for thought from Jacqui. Jacqui, your book sounds fabulous and you have surely melded the two! Lots of luck to you. Jan, thanks for another great post!!
I’m so glad you enjoyed the post, Maura Beth. I totally agree that Jacqui has for sure melded the two in a really great way. You made me chuckle at the comment about you hiding in the closet downing a drink to gather the courage to mingle. I think writers are by nature introverts. 🙂 Have a great day!
Excellent addition, Maura. Yes–oral is almost better than written. I have seen them at conferences and they gather an audience that never leaves. I can see why they were so valuable in medieval Courts.
Thanks for hosting Jacqui today, Jan! I loved her latest book, Laws of Nature. I enjoyed the article on Writer vs. Storyteller…that was great!
Thank you, Jill! I appreciate you stopping by to support Jacqui! Happy Saturday!
It’s a bit of a fine line but that storyteller, I’d follow them anywhere.
🙂