Five Tips for Telling a Great Campfire Story

Sharing a story around a campfire is a time-honored tradition among many, and it's a great way to share favorite adventures or treasured childhood tales. What's even better is scaring the pants off of your friends with a scary legend. Some people aren't so great at sharing stories, however, so here are my top five tips for telling a great campfire story:

1. Speak Clearly

Nobody can understand your story if you speak too quickly, quietly, or don't enunciate. Speak loudly enough that all of your listeners can hear you, pace your speech so your words don't run together, and make sure you're pronouncing words correctly.

2. Know Your Story

Nothing-and I mean nothing-is worse than a story that never gets finished because the teller forgot the ending. Know how your story starts, what happens in the middle, and how it ends, and make sure you go in the proper order. You're only free to experiment with the telling after you know the original story and can remember the storyline with no problem. If you're not sure about your story, don't tell it-wait until next time.

3. Tailor Your Story to the Audience

One of my favorite stories, the infamous legend of the Taily Po, can end in several different ways, depending on what age group I tell it to. The gristly ending is reserved for older audiences, while the gentler ending is reserved for the younger. Know your story in advance and tailor it to your audience-if the audience is younger, make sure you're kid friendly. If the audience is older, make sure you're not going to unnecessarily offend somebody. Be appropriate for the situation.

4. Tailor Your Story to the Moment

This goes along with number three. Stories can change with every telling, and some stories can even be changed mid-sentence to suit the moment. If you hear twigs snap out in the woods, work it into your story. If somebody is getting too scared, tone it down. Tailor your story to the moment and it will be truly unforgettable.

5. Maximize Your Visibility

This is a big one-make sure everybody can see you! People are more likely to hear and understand what you're saying if they can see your face. Use a flashlight, stand near the campfire, or stand up. Make sure everybody in the audience can see you.

There are several ways to make a great story, but these five tips make a solid foundation that can help anybody tell a great campfire tale. Remember, speak clearly, know your story, tailor your story to both the audience and the moment, and maximize your visibility. And, more than anything, have fun! Audiences hate a bored storyteller.

Happy storytelling!