"Put down everything that comes into your head and then you're a writer. But an author is one who can judge his own stuff's worth, without pity, and destroy most of it."
- - Colette
Think about what the differences are - how we feel those differences when we read something. Textbooks are created by writers. Newspapers and most magazine articles are written by writers. But good books, the ones that make us want to savor them and delay that last page, are written by storytellers.
Check out Elana's article (if you're one of the FEW people who doesn't already read her blog every single day). It's thought provoking.
Draw your chair up close to the edge of the precipice and I'll tell you a story.
- F. Scott Fitzgerald
Do you think there is a difference?
I read that post too! It was very thought provoking. There really is a difference, and the difference is amazing.
ReplyDeleteI do think there is a difference. I think people assume all writers are storytellers. Thanks for the link, heading over now.
ReplyDeleteBlessings,
Karen
Absolutely!!
ReplyDeleteGreat contrast. Thanks for the link! :O)
ReplyDeleteThere's definitely a difference.
ReplyDeleteI thought her post was great! And yours too :) That's a great way to describe the distinction.
ReplyDeleteThere is a huge difference between writing and storytelling.
ReplyDeleteDefinitely! I like the imagery of students in your class versus J.K. Rowling.
ReplyDeleteMaking Life a Work of Art!
YES! I love her post too.
ReplyDeleteAnd if you want some beautiful storytelling, read this:
ttp://www.amazon.com/Where-Mountain-Meets-Moon-Grace/dp/0316114278/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1286481429&sr=8-1
Now wonder it won an award.
Yes, absolutely! The words aren't synonyms; they have different meanings. So of course the action of writing and storytelling are different!
ReplyDeleteGreat post!
Shannon, good question!
ReplyDeleteI'll keep this in mind as I revise...AGAIN!!!
Great point! Storytellers make you feel like you are in the story not just an observer of the story...
ReplyDeleteGood issues were made, enjpyed the post very much.
ReplyDeleteYvonne,
I definitely think there's a difference. I did a post a loooooong time ago about the power of storytelling- it's more that just conveying information. You have to capture your audience!
ReplyDeleteOh, I totally think there's a difference. Elana nailed it, IMO. =] Love the quotes!
ReplyDeleteI was just talking about this the other day. I think there is a difference, but I think there is also room to be both. The best authors are ones who do both. But I think I'll have to read Elana's definition before I make any final decisions!
ReplyDeleteHUGE difference. It's a totally different skill.
ReplyDeleteElana's awesome - she always makes me think :)
Ooh, how true! This was a great post. Will saunter over to Elana's for the full read. =)
ReplyDeleteEdge of Your Seat Romance
I think I'm a writer : (
ReplyDeleteYep! Definitely a difference. I hope to be a storyteller. Still working toward that goal.
ReplyDeleteYes, huge difference. Storytelling is more than just conveying something by stringing words together- it is about really engaging the heart and the mind.
ReplyDeleteI couldn't agree more. I really think there is a difference. I hope I'm a little of both. =)
ReplyDeleteOkay, yeah, there's totally a difference. I love the example you gave of your students vs. the authors. I think most of us start out as students. Some of us succeed as students, even. Because not every novel is done in storytelling.
ReplyDeleteBut I want to keep learning and getting better and become a storyteller.
Never thought of it like that. I couldn't imagine putting in your heart and then scrapping half of it. CRAZY
ReplyDeleteDefinitely a difference.
ReplyDeleteOne of my big fears is that I'm a good writer, but not a good story teller.
Yeah, Elana's post was great. There really is a difference. I see one with more freedom, more emotional. The other is more technical. Combining would be great.
ReplyDeletethis is interesting! I've missed this post, but good point! I'm heading there now. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteA difference? Yes and No. A writer may not be a storyteller, but a storyteller is - and has to be - a good writer. You can have all the best ideas in the world, if you don't know how to let the words do the talking, you won't get that great story accross to the reader.
ReplyDeleteI'm a sucker for a fab story!
You're right. I think there's a huge difference. Being a good writer does not mean you're a good storyteller, or vica versa.
ReplyDelete