Thread by @StoryLuck

You Should Probably Stop Stealing Joy... A #Storytimethread

#fiction #storytelling #storyteller #writing #writer #thread #story #writingitps #highschool #school #study #hamsterdance #dancing #teachers #nonfiction #literaryfiction #truestory #fakestory #lies #orign #girls #boys

Sitting in the cramped high school library I sat a table chicken scratching a script outline for a Western style video game.

Hampsterdance plays endlessly on loop as a bunch of freshman giggle uncontrollably at the classic meme.

The principle big bellies up to my desk and asks me to explain what I was doing.

I tell him, “I’ve got this cool idea for a video game. These rough sketches are storyboarding the major plot points… I think there’s room for deeper storytelling in video games.”

He pats me on my shoulder. And with a toothy grin says, “You will never work in the video game industry.”

Even though I don't believe him… it’s a deer in headlights, life flash before my eyes moment. And the truth is, I’m easily thwarted by negativity and bureaucracy.

[Smash Cut ::TRANSITION:: to Years Later]

I was out of college and living in Chicago when a woman told me, “You’re my favorite storyteller in the city.”

I laughed because girls who want to fuck me always say things like that.

“If only that were true.”

I listed off a half dozen other tellers who she was close to. “All of them would be very upset to hear you blaspheme.”

She shook, “You don’t think I tell them all the time? That I met this boy and he’s the best storyteller I’ve ever seen.”

She got quiet for a moment and said…

“We should start a show together.”

I channeled my best high school principle. “There’s no market for storytelling. We’d have to find a space, it’d cost money, and-and-and… it’s ridiculous to think we could do that.”

“We could! I used to run shows in San Francisco… it’s the easiest thing. If I find the place, will you do it with me? I don’t want to do it alone.”

I said yes.

And ever since that moment, I’ve wanted to be there for other people.

Do you know what's just happened, you read an entire thread!

That means, Twitter rules apply & I get a call to action.

Here it is! You ready? You're not ready.

You're not ready!

Ok, DM me when you're ready to find out what the super secret call to action is. 😁

Your dreams are attainable.

It’s literally the simplest thing. Whatever it is, you want to do... Other people have done it, are doing it, and will be doing it in the future.

Follow their steps.

Now, especially if you want to tell stories, I want to hear them.