Published: February 29, 2008 12:56 am            

Every Mississippian has a story …

Yadda, yadda, yadda … we all have stories to tell. Hey, we live in Mississippi, the self-proclaimed storytelling capital of the world. So, please setback in your recliner, get another cup of coffee, and listen up.

We all know that Mississippians have a special talent for telling a good story, but occasionally we must be reminded. Mississippi storytelling was clearly stated again to me at the Friendly Beginnings for New Writers Workshop conducted last Saturday at The Meridian Activities Center. It was there that I encountered several lovely stories as shared by the workshop attendees.

One student shared, with great emotion, her heart-felt burden and concern for abused children and animals. The words poured out of her with a conviction that perhaps she could make a helpful difference through the written word. Another attendee sought to write her family history with a creative flair – that’s one lucky family. One student was a published author and gave much insight to the session pertaining to self-publishing. During the discussion, he revealed his experience through a reputable self-publishing house, and yet another student is writing her first novel. This student has innovative storylines and the ambition to pull the story together as a first rate novel. She attended the workshop in order to pursue publishing and editing sources.

This past Saturday as I worked with the class, along with my fellow writing teacher, Virginia Dawkins, I was again excited about the storytelling tradition so prominent in our great State. I remembered Eudora Welty and her story of Phoenix Jackson. I recalled Tennessee Williams as he struggled to have his work accepted in theatrical productions. I thought of Richard Wright as he truly dedicated himself to the art of creative writing, although he was plagued by more dilemmas and perils than one can imagine. How, in order to continue his creative writing pathway, and because of the lack of writing opportunities, he was forced to move from Natchez to Jackson … onto Memphis, Chicago, and finally to New York City where his work was expounded to all corners of the world. And we must never forget the best-known storyteller of all, Mississippian, William Faulkner.

Recently I read the biography of the well known, present-day Mississippi Writer, John Armistead and I exclaimed with happiness when he recalled childhood memories. He said, “Like every Southern writer of my generation, I remember sitting on the front porch and hearing my great-aunts and grandmother talk of people and events from long past days.”

Need I add that this was a Mississippi front porch with a Mississippi grandmother and Mississippi great-aunts?

I am thrilled to have the opportunity to visit elementary schools, Headstart Centers, public libraries, and private daycare centers to tell the children my stories. But the most enjoyable time during these visits is when the children tell me their stories.

Oh my, we must continue to encourage the children to tell their stories.

My storytelling teacher/mentor, Sarah Mutziger, enlightened me to the many opportunities storytelling offers, especially to someone who can tell an originally written story. I encourage all Mississippians to dust off those grandmother tales and put them on paper. You’ll be pleasantly surprised at all of the opportunities that will come your way, opportunities to share these wonderful stories of Mississippi heritage.

In the words of Malcolm White, executive director of the Mississippi Arts Commission, “We want to offer the return of arts to the core curriculum as part of a solution to our problem of losing kids in the schools. Art captures a lot of people who often fall through the cracks. It often captures the attention of a kid who has a hard time keeping focused on traditional lecture, memorization, regurgitation style of education.”

Yes, let the children tell their stories.

I must share with you, dear readers, about one precious child at the Headstart Center in Newton. She sat on the front row, curled up on her knees, and displayed sparkling eyes and a zest for life. As my partner, Richelle Putnam, and I presented our program, the little one threw her hand in the air, and with a sweet voice commanded attention. She said, “Excu-u-use me … huh, hmmm. My grandmothers name is Loretta and, uh, and … she watches Oprah everyday, and uh, hmm, she wears a green hat.”

That child had a story to tell and we allowed her to tell it. It was a wonderful time.

Once again it seems that Mississippi, storytelling, and our precious children all go together, hand-in-hand, as we continue along a pathway … a pathway of all working together to make Mississippi the best it can be.

We can do it … we must.

        

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