Holy cow, what a night! We had over 90 people in the audience, and 16 people walk up to the mic to tell a story. I think that’s a new record for the number of stories we’ve had. Thanks so much to everyone who told and everyone who came out to support them. Most of us practice our stories alone in the car or pacing the living room in front of a confused pet. It means a lot when we finally get onstage and see so many people rooting for us.
I usually write a long thank you/wrap-up after each show where I talk a little bit about each story and what I loved about it. I often have to re-listen to the show to make sure I get the details right. I can’t do that his month because the show went so long that it would take me a week to give every story the number of words it deserves.
So I’ll start by just thanking everyone who told a story that night: David, Sean, Carmen, Brian, Kate, Bob, Colleen, Jeff, Todd, Nick, and Jamie. Extra special thanks to our first-timer tellers: Karin, Linda, Douglas, and Debbie. I also told a story that night and will post a link to it at the end of this email. I don’t think I’ve ever done that but enough people asked me about the cell phone I talk about in the story that I figure I should share the story and the name of the phone.
One important thing I was reminded of that night was the importance of keeping the show to a manageable length. We haven’t had this many tellers since before Covid, and I haven’t had to bump anyone to a future show in a long time. But two hours is too long. So, in the future, I’m going back to what I used to do pre-2020. If the show hits 90 minutes, I’ll end the show then and give each person who didn’t get to tell my sworn promise that they can tell their story at any future FGS, no matter what the theme is. And if I bumped you last month, I promise you won’t get bumped next month. Just remind me before the show, and I will guarantee you a spot on that night’s show.
I know how hard everyone works on their stories and I want you to know I value that. I’ve been bumped countless times from shows, and I’ve bumped my son more than anyone else when a show runs long. So I know how what it feels like to drive home without sharing a story you spent all month working on. But 90 minutes seems to be the perfect length for us, and I need to make sure we don’t need a vitamin B shot to get home after the end of it.
Thanks again to everyone who came out. We heard a lot of stories we would never have heard anywhere else. and hopefully talked to people we would never have met anywhere else. That’s the real beauty of FGS. If this was just a night of free entertainment, I would have stopped a long time ago. It’s the people I get to talk to before and after the show that keep me coming back. Next month will be our 15th year. I’ve made a lot of friends through this show and felt a lot less alone over the years because of that. I hope if you’re reading this and haven’t been to a show yet that you’ll come hang out with us sometime soon. You don’t have to tell a story. Just come out and listen and if someone shared a story that touched you, tell them afterward. It will mean a lot to them and a lot to you, too.
I hope to see you at our show next month on April 17. The theme is “Doing what you didn’t think you could.” I’ll get the invite out this weekend.
Don’t forget about our free monthly online workshop. It’s a great place to get feedback on a story you’re working on:
I’m also happy to work on stories with you. Write me directly at freshgroundstories at gmail dot com and we can set up a time to talk on the phone. These calls are a highlight of my week, so don’t be shy about asking for help.
Here’s the story I told at the show last week about my Starbucks cell phone adventure:
The name of the phone I buy at the end is called Sleke. I don’t want to leave a link here because it feels like I’m trying to sell you something. But if you’re curious after hearing the story, you can Google it and see what I’m getting. It should arrive in a week or two. I’m not affiliated with them in any way. I just had a great experience talking to the young man who helped create the phone.
One last plug!
I worked on my story at two wonderful open mic story shows in the area. 7 Stories and Bar Stories Live. I always have a great time at these shows, and they’re run by really sweet people. Give’em a shot if you’re free some night 🙂
https://www.meetup.com/7-stories (their next show is tonight!)
Take care, everyone. See you on April 17! The theme is “Doing what you didn’t think you could.” I’ll get the invite out as soon as I can.
Paul
freshgrounstories at gmail dot com
Fresh Ground Stories 