My Live Storytelling Journey

I Thought I Was a Gifted Storyteller

Now I know perspiration trumps inspiration

Then I wanted to win. Now I just want to learn.

My first Moth performance — December 2021 — was a birthday challenge to myself. I enjoy listening to live storytelling and thought, “Hey, maybe I could do that!”

The piece I told was my favorite story of wisdom gained as a first-year teacher. I had been advised by a veteran storyteller to “have fun up there” and reminded myself I needed only to survive the experience to count it a success.

I was called to be the 5th storyteller, right before intermission, which I considered perfect. The audience was amazing and the evening magical.

And I won!

So of course I wanted to do it all again.

When the theme for February 2022 was announced — Love Hurts — I decided to tell a story where I hurt someone by denying we had been on a date. Worried the audience would feel sorry for the boy, I made it clear that this person was embarrassing me to death, that I was…