See a photo of Penelope, her bio, and Part 1 of this Q&A, and Part 2.
Q&A with Penelope Starr, Questions 3 and 4:
Q: The storytelling movement seems to be growing explosively. Why now? What is it about this moment in human history and culture that makes storytelling so resonant with so many people right now?
A: With people plugged into their own personal electronic devices, eating meals in their car, using the TV as a babysitter and turning to pharmaceuticals to control their moods, we have a desperate and truly human need to connect. And what better way than telling our stories? The time for community storytelling is now before we forget the stories, the skills and our basic humanness.
Q: How important is it to you and your work to function within the framework of a particular definition of “story?” (i.e., What is a story?) What definition do you espouse?
A: A personal story at Odyssey Storytelling is an individual’s narrative from their life that they have crafted into a 10-minute oral presentation. The stories are not read or memorized; they are told from the experiences and creativity of the teller.