Lies, Exaggerations and Tall Tales Workshop

Lies, Exaggerations and Tall Tales Workshop Set for Aspiring Storytellers
Ever wonder if storytellers have any type of training, or are their way with words a natural talent?  After winning the 2017 South Carolina Hagood Mills Festival Liars Competition, local storyteller and former President of the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild Jeff Stratton came up with the idea to host a Lies, Exaggerations and Tall Tales Workshop for folks interested in cultivating their ability to share memories and stories.
The workshop will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Jonesborough United Methodist Church’s Fellowship Hall.  Sessions will include training in the history and definitions of tall tales, the American storytelling culture, story techniques and how competitions are judged.  The sessions will be followed by a question and answer discussion with representatives from the Jonesborough Storytellers Guild (the longest running group of storytellers in the nation), and an opportunity to create your own tall tale.
“I enjoy sharing the art of story a lot,” Stratton said. “I’ve been competing and telling stories for a while and I’m also realizing there’s no formula for telling tall tales.” People tell jokes, but they aren’t spinning them into stories.  I’ve never seen a workshop on this and want to explain necessary ingredients and steps to be successful and entertaining.”
The Lies, Exaggerations and Tall Tales Workshop is free and open to adults, but reservations are required by emailing jxx2@comcast.net or calling 423-447-7696.