Troy White has just posted a blog which I think is both very good because it encourages people who don’t think they are storytellers to have a go and practice, yet I feel doesn’t go far enough because there is a chance readers will not get to a story based on his list of triggers. Mind you I think Troy’s story prompters are a great place to start. I would like, however, to make some additions to each one to make doubly sure people tell a story rather than just express their opinion. My additions are in red.

• Pet Peeves and when was the last time you felt peeved by them
• Physical Characteristics (Uniqueness) and the times they helped or hindered
• Core Beliefs and how they unfold in practice
• Politics – when have you felt angry, let down or felt like giving them a standing ovation?
• Birthplace – how did you end up being born there?
• What Are You Pathological About? And where do they emerge? What happened last time?
• Religion – has there ever been a time or moment where you were truly thankful for your beliefs?
• Significant Childhood Events
• Beliefs – have they ever got you in trouble?
• Hobbies – when have you felt proudest of your hobbies?
• Education – has your education made a big difference? What happened?
• Skills – Have you ever had a moment when you were surprised by the skills you have or dismally lack?
• Interests – What’s your most boring interest and when have you really bored someone with it?
• Family – What are you most fond of about your family? What’s an example?
• Talents – Has a talent ever really made a real difference? What happened?
• Life Events You Remember Most
• Adventures You Will Never Forget
• Incompetence At? Share a time when you were a real klutz.
• Anything You Are A Legend Of? When did your legendom shine?
• Successes – What are the three most memorable successes you remember? Take us through what happened.
• Likes – Tell us the last time one of your real likes jumped out and grabbed you?
• Curiosities – What is the weirdest thing you have ever heard happening?
• Failures – What’s your biggest stuff up?
• Dislikes – Have you ever felt repulsed by a dislike? Tell us about it.
• Are People Amazed By Anything You Do Or About You? If yes, what happened?
• What Are You Ambitious About? What Fires You Up? When have you been really fired up? What got you going?
• Self Disciplined About? When have you displayed a monk-like discipline.
• People Are Envious Of You Because _______? When has someone been envious of you?
• Do People Desire What You Have? When have people desired what you have?

To get to a story you need to get to a time and a place. When and where questions are good. Asking what happened works. Just asking for an example can work if you can get people to provide a detailed example. Troy’s prompters point us in the right direction for finding our own stories. My additions hopefully will increase the chances that a story will be told.