Annie’s Perspective on the start of our journey together (from www.anniehart.com)

Corey’s Story Adventure

June 17, 2009

Corey Blake meet Annie Hart.  Annie Hart meet Corey Blake.  Both Corey and Annie share a love of story.

This weekend they will meet in Philadelphia so that Annie can help Corey craft an ‘emotional story journey’ that he will use to create a compelling keynote presentation.

From Annie Hart: Corey wants to use personal stories in his keynote speaking so that he can share some of the important learning’s of his life.  His stated goal is to have me help him craft “an emotional story journey which drives unexpected epiphanies.”  Wow!  That sounds fun and is right up my alley.  This is what I do best.  And Corey is definitely going to be alot of fun!

Corey and I met through the wonderful Bea Fields, who is someone we both admire.  Even though we have not yet met in person, we are assured a good time.  I can tell that Corey is a VERY fun and adventurous person.  Just take the fact that he’s flying to Philadelphia for two days to meet with me, someone he doesn’t even know!  That and the fact that he’s been totally open to all of my crazy ideas and suggestions!

Take for example the list of supplies that I sent him.  I asked him to bring the following:

• good black tea
• a drawing pad, pencils and a good pen
• red socks
• a dog bisquit
• and a suprise!

Corey never asked me about the red socks or the dog bisquit.  But I’m going to check his supplies at the airport and if he doesn’t meet the requirements, he’s back on the plane!  (just kidding).  I’ll tell you later why he needs to bring these things.  It’s all part of the structure of a story adventure.

I asked Corey how he’d feel if we wrote about his story and he said that he’s an open book.  So we thought it would be fun and even informative, if we share Corey’s Story Adventure with you.  Maybe you’re someone who wants to tell stories too?  And maybe, like Corey, you believe that you can’t.  Well Corey is going to prove you wrong on that.  I guarantee you that by the end of the weekend, Corey is going to be telling his stories so comfortably and easily that he’ll feel like he’s always been doing it.  And maybe that will encourage you too.  That’s the idea.  Corey’s adventure is a template for other courageous souls to come.

I already know that Corey is talented and gifted in many ways.  He has an amazing background and a wealth of experience.  He’s a former actor, director and creator of many successful projects.  And now he’s turning some of his creative attention towards the stories that are inside of him.

Maybe you’re wondering why people don’t believe that they can tell stories? The single biggest reason is because the real personal and deep stories that live inside of us are very tender.  They live in a soft spot inside and like a little turtle in its shell, they don’t come out easily.  They need careful coaxing and an environment of real attention and deep listening.  And when you have that, stories come out naturally.  But the key is that you need to truly listen to get the turtle to peak out of the shell.

And listening happens with more than just the ear.  You need to listen with all of you.  You listen to everything - both the spoken and the unspoken.  I’ve been listening to Corey since our first conversation, quietly taking in everything about him.  That is how his stories will come out easily.  I’m certain of it.

Corey’s reservations about telling stories are common ones.  Most people believe that no one really wants to hear our personal stories.  We ask ourselves why someone would want to hear something that is so personal to us.  Yet at the same time we yearn to tell these stories because they often contain our most valuable life learning’s.  We long to share them and pass them on.  So that is the goal of Corey’s keynote presentations, to share his personal stories in a compelling way that creates insight and learning for others.

That is guaranteed also.  Because the real and deep stories that live in us, naturally have a universal wisdom that other’s need to hear.  That’s the ancient power of story.  And when you listen carefully, it’s easy to find this inherent wisdom.  It is obvious and clear.

But point number one, in order to tell your own stories, you need a good listener.  This is the most important thing about crafting personal stories.  Someone needs to be quiet and listen!  So for the weekend, I will be putting my own personal stories aside, putting on my big ear and diving into the exciting world of Corey’s stories.

So stay tuned folks, for Friday night at 6:35 pm EST, Corey Blake, Storyteller will meet Annie Hart, Story Listener and the adventure will begin!  And Corey will be sharing his side of the journey as well.  So stay tuned for the fun!

Related posts:

1. From Annie: Corey’s Story Adventure July 2 2009
2. Corey’s Story Adventure Part 3
3. Corey Blake’s Story Adventure: June 19 9:45am
4. I Need Your Help on My Adventure
5. Corey’s Story Adventure - June 20 2:03 pm