Now when I get asked “How can I make my stories funnier, like yours?” I’ll be able to simply tell them to read your book! Thanks Linda. Tim Gard, USA Humorist, CSP, CPAE.
In the mass world today of technology and busy schedules, humour is our saving grace. Humour feeds our souls and our cells! Linda’s book "88 Ways to Tell funnier Stories" book is a life therapy rather than just a book! It is simple fun and easy to apply to all areas of your life and business. I keep it on my desktop and flip a page a day. It will add years of fun to my lifeand business. Highly recommended genius piece of work! Dr. Theresa Dobson, Active Care Ltd, Auckland, New Zealand
88 Ways To Tell Funnier Stories
Make your stories, case studies and anecdotes funnier. For speakers, trainers, educators, writers, professionals and people who want to have a laugh with friends.
by Linda McDermott
SMASHWORDS EDITION
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PUBLISHED BY:
Linda McDermott on Smashwords
88 Ways To Tell Funnier Stories
Copyright © 2011. By Linda McDermott
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book. Inquiries should be made to Linda McDermott, P. O. Box 65-074, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0754, New Zealand.
Smashwords Edition License Notes
This ebook is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. This ebook may not be re-sold or given away to other people. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each person you share it with. If you're reading this book and did not purchase it, or it was not purchased for your use only, then you should return to Smashwords.com and purchase your own copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.
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Disclaimer
The information contained in this book is distributed without warranty. The author and publisher disclaim any liability whatsoever for any losses incurred from or damages caused by the use or application of the contents of this publication, however unlikely that is. She is not kidding.
Published and distributed in New Zealand by Linda McDermott. To obtain reprint rights contact the publisher at P O Box 65074, Mairangi Bay, Auckland 0754, New Zealand. Phone +64 21 345-074.
www.ivoiceover.co.nz
Foreword
People will remember you if you tell entertaining case studies, amusing anecdotes or funny stories. Appropriate humour for the right audience can create a close connection with people and catapult you to business success or seal lasting friendships.
In my seventeen years as a speaker and trainer of speakers from all walks of life, I can tell you that your personal stories are what make you different and make you interesting. Even technical presentations using facts and figures need proof in the form of stories to help people comprehend complex information and stay hooked.
Whether you are trying to win a humorous speech contest, engage a business audience or laugh with friends, this book will give you a head start. Linda has made it easy for us - stand it on your desk and have a go one step at a time!
David Nottage
World Champion of Public Speaking
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How to Use This Book
As a fun read
Knowing that some of it will be absorbed unconsciously and you will end up telling funnier stories in daily life.
As a workbook
Use steps 1-4 to identify your story, case study or anecdote. Then pick any steps at random and use them as tools to help you maximise the humour.
As a desk ornament
I hope the title will become an affirmation!
“Laughter is the closest distance between two people.” Victor Borge, comedian & pianist
“Creating the story is the first step to selling your ideas with power, persuasion and charisma.” Carmine Gallo, author The Presentation Secrets of Steve Jobs.
1. Know A Story’s Purpose
The purpose of a story is to elicit emotion.
Have a hero or heroine who has a goal.
Create obstacles that get in their way.
The audience should be able to tell by the end of the story whether or not your hero or heroine got what they wanted.
2. Include Story Elements
Have a plot (with a moral), characters (with quirky traits), time, setting and conflict. Have you mentioned who, when, what, why and how?
Two ways to keep the audience on the edge of their seats: Advance the plot. Reveal the characters.
At what point does your story begin and end?
3. Use Pain Or Embarrassment
Humour = Pain or Embarrassment distanced by Time.
Find your topic from your pain! A side effect is that others release their own pain by identifying with your personal experiences.
Once I rehearsed a humorous contest speech in front of Mum and Dad. They fell asleep! I was crushed but courageous enough to admit my misfortune in my speech. I won the contest – and the audience stayed awake. (Though there was a suspicious snoring sound at one point.)
4. Know Your Audience
Our sense of humour is personal to us. Much of what we find funny is based on our upbringing, age, interests and culture.
Humorous stories can help create a positive bond with people. Research your audience to know their customs or play it safe.
A funny story containing loads of references to partying and staying out late may work well for a younger audience, but less so for those in a retirement village (I imagine!)
5. Paint Vivid Mental Pictures
Movies keep audiences interested with a series of vivid moving images. Take your cue from filmmakers – capture your viewers with larger than life mental pictures.
“People don’t remember what you tell them. They remember the pictures you paint in their minds.” Patricia Fripp, Speaker, U.S.
“A joke is a picture in your head.” Gene Perret, author, Emmy winner, comedy writer for Bob Hope, Phyllis Diller, Carol Burnett.
6. Put Them In The Picture
Let your listeners in on the action. Give them a ticket to your rollercoaster and take them on a thrill-seeking ride.
Saying Harry or Sue did this or that, is like showing your audience a rollercoaster ride instead of putting them in a carriage on the rollercoaster. Try, ‘Imagine it, you’re gripping on for dear life, plummeting a hundred feet in five seconds!’
7. Incorporate Action
‘Aah… help!’
Again, think rollercoaster. Some of the funniest speeches I have heard included lots of action with physical humour like parachuting, scuba diving, surfing, skiing and jumping over a fence to escape a bull.
People laugh at out-of-control attempts at overcoming fear.
8. Pump Their Adrenalin
Your story does not have to be wildly physical, to get their heart rates up.
Believe it or not these topics had spectators falling off their chairs: organising finances, a cat shredding wallpaper, dating, viewing real estate and using a computer.
The secret in making these topics produce adrenalin is the fear, anger and frustration behind them.
9. Use Metaphors & Similes
Compare your subject to an unrelated thing or idea, to give the fun of surprise.
‘I was so high I saw an astronaut picking his nose.’
‘Buying a Burmese cat is like buying a car. You need to get ownership papers, know running costs and resale value.’
10. Make It Immediate
The present tense can be funnier. It gets you one step closer to experiencing the drama.