Master storyteller Ira Glass, whose "This American Life" has come to Showtime from National Public Radio, has several mini-lessons in storytelling on YouTube. Here are the links:
1. The basic building blocks of storytelling: anecdotes, "bait" questions, and moments of reflection. Click here.
2. Finding a great story: it takes time, and "the importance of abandoning crap." Click here.
3. On good taste: the sometimes disheartening gap between our ambition and our level of skill--including a tale of his own long journey to mastering his art. Click here.
4. Two pitfalls: too much you, not enough you. Click here.
The talk is for people who aspire to making video documentaries, but most of his points apply just as much to all kinds of storytelling. Enjoy!
