Summers End

Comi-Con 2008

So after and between all of the storytelling, what do Stortellers do? Well last week, James and Patti joined 125,000 other people at Comi-Con, the world's largest Science Fiction Convention, held every year in San Diego. (James in his favorite kilt)

What is Comi-Con? It is everything from teenagers to grandparents, people dressed up like Storm Troopers and fans of Hello Kitty. It is intellectuals and nerds and librarians and scientists and movie buffs. Throw in some movie stars and directors and comic book artists and you are starting to get the picture. Across the street this year form the convention center, there was a display of the Terra Cotta soldiers from China which are featured in the next Mummy movie.

James has been attending regularly since about 1978, while Patti is a recent convert. We both enjoy hearing what's coming next in the movies and on TV, the latests thoughts on using comics for literacy and helping kids to become lifelong readers, and chances to hear such great thinkers as Deepak Chopra. Not to mention just the people watching. You've never seen anything quite like it.

We also love the free giveaways and came home with bags filled with t-shirts, posters, strange offers for things we don't know about on-line. We also got the chance to get our photos taken in front of a green screen and printed with Family Guy and the cast from Bones. How cool is that?

Wanna go? Better buy your tickets early. This year they were sold out in advanced and had no tickets available at the door. Go to www.comic-con.org/ to learn more. See you next year at Comi-Con 2009

Now for your storytelling tip:

That is the BME: Beginning, Middle and End. It sounds so simple, but it can be difficult to execute. Especially when relating personal stories. The end is often forgotten. The beginning sets up the conflict or lesson to be learned. The middle is 'what happens next. The end is the resolution of the conflict and/or the lesson to be learned. Take for example Goldilocks and the Three Bears. Initial conflicts; the Bears are not ready to eat their breakfasts. Goldilocks seeks food and shelter. The middle; Goldilocks breaks into the Bears house, avails herself of food and rest. End; the Bears return and chase Goldilocks away. The lesson learned for Goldilocks is not to commit larceny. Beginning, Middle and End. Look to those tools in your storytelling and you will move a step forward.