MY STORYTELLING

Why do I tell stories as well as write them?

I’ve been a writer for much longer than I’ve been a traditional storyteller, and I became an oral storyteller at first because my own children kept asking me to tell them stories. So I got involved in workshops and mentoring at the Scottish Storytelling Centre, and after listening to a lot of fabulous storytellers, and practising on lots of audiences, I got accepted onto the Storytelling Directory. So now you can invite me to come and tell you stories too.

Even though I am a fiction writer, there are so many wonderful traditional tales out there, which are perfectly shaped for telling to audiences, that I prefer to spend my time as a storyteller passing on the old tales. However I will occasionally create new stories for specific sessions (for example working with audiences with special needs).

My favourite stories and my favourite places to tell them:

I love stories about dragons and wolves and magic and heroes (and heroines). I’m always on the look out for kickass heroine myths and legends. Do you know any? Do let me know! There aren’t enough heroine stories, which is why I stop telling old tales and head back to the computer every night to WRITE new books!

I love old Scottish stories, from Orkney, Skye, Moray, Perthshire, the Borders, to name just a few Scottish places I visit in my favourite stories. But I also love stories from anywhere and everywhere else. I love bloody Viking warriors and vengeful Greek gods and tricksy coyotes. I also love riddle stories, and am very fond of a story about wellies, and another story featuring a pigeon and a pile of horse jobby.

I also enjoy using history to create stories that are true but have perhaps never been told before. I have researched a lot of Leith history stories, but I also have some North East and St Kilda ones, and I’d love an excuse to find more from your area!

The best ever place I’ve told stories was the ruins of Melrose Abbey, at the Borders Book Festival, on midsummer’s night, in the dark, by candlelight. But I’ve also loved sharing stories in tents of all sizes, a stand up comedy club, forests, gardens, classrooms, gymhalls, canteens, cafes, pubs, and in my own living room in the middle of a powercut.

I love to find new stories to tell to new audiences. And I believe that anyone can enjoy and benefit from stories.

So if you want to invite me to share stories with you, wherever you are, please get in touch.