Stories Add Value!

Do you have a junk drawer at home? We do. It's in the kitchen, and it's where we put everything that doesn't have a place. We also fill it with those items we're too lazy at the moment to put away properly. Recently, I cleaned out the junk drawer, and stuffed in the back of it was a broken, clear, pink ruler loosely held together with some tape. Before I tossed the ruler into the waiting trash bag, I asked my 16-year-old if she knew whose it was. She snatched it from my hand and told me I could not throw it away. I astutely pointed out that the ruler was broken and she could use one of the others.

Smiling she said, "You don't understand the story behind it." She then told me the story of the ruler. Now, I understand: my daughter wasn't interested in the ruler. She was interested in the people behind the ruler ad the fun they had being silly.

What's your broken ruler? The story prop you just can't let go. A good story adds value to what appears at first glance to be junk. A story can turn a trinket into a treasure.

Trinkets are lost or forgotten; props are remembered and shared. What's the story behind your broken ruler?

Let me know in the comments.

Tell Me a Story!

Story. It's everywhere. If you spend any time online, chances are you've seen articles, videos and blog posts about "Story" or "The Power of Story" and its uses in business, marketing, education, medicine, etc. Maybe you've seen all this and thought  "What's the big deal?" or "I don't have time for stories." After all, you know what a story is. You've heard them and told them all your life. So, what do stories have to do with the real world or the bottom line?

Just about every family has stories they tell and re-tell when they get together. When my family in south Louisiana gets together, they love to tell stories about the trouble my cousin and I got into as kids. My children can't wait to hear those same stories they heard at last year's Christmas. Now, my children know these stories by heart, but they thrill at hearing them told again by grandparents, great-aunts and older cousins. Why? Because these stories connect with them emotionally. They tell them something about who they are. In my kid's minds, these stories are about them! These stories create a bond between the teller and the listener.

That's the power of a good story: connection. Your students and your customers want connection, not information. Stories invite, information bores. If you've ever sat through a bullet-ridden Powerpoint presentation, you know what I'm talking about. You don't remember statistics or mission statements that sounded like they were plagiarized from Dilbert. You remember the stories shared, whether they applied or not. Your customers are the same way. They won't remember features and benefits as much as the connection shared through a story.

That's what this blog is about: Stories - how we use them, share them, tell them, find them, nurture them and create them. Whether you don't think you have any stories to share or you have so many you can't pin one down, join us as we build a community powered by our own stories!

7 Ways Stories Are Like Halloween Costumes!

I remembered it was Halloween today when Darth Vader passed me in front of Berry College. As I thought about the costumes I wore as a kid, I recognized some similarities between Halloween costumes and Story that I wanted to pass on to you.

1. Costumes reflect on you. A costume says something about you, good or bad. A good one fits who you are. A bad story doesn't fit you or your brand. It doesn't match up with the values you project as an individual or a business. A bad story reflects poorly on you.

2. Costumes say you just want something. A pirate and a princess at the door indicates kids want candy. A poorly chosen or poorly told story gives your customer the same idea -- you just want something from them, and you are not that interested in getting to know them as people. You just want what they have. This is the exact opposite of an axiom we taught our kids, "People are more important than things." Don't confuse the two with a poor story.

3. Costumes represent your level of  planning and/or interest. Take a good look at the older trick-or-treaters at your house this year. Their costumes often tell how much time and effort went into its creation. A memorable costume reflects planning, just like a memorable story does. Telling a effective story for business reflects thought about its message, emotion and audience.

4. Costumes reflect you. At the end of the evening, the best costume you saw today will stand out in your mind. Its creativity or execution will push it beyond average into memorable. An effective story stays with the listener, because it is compelling. It's not just another vignette told to get a laugh or a sale. It has a purpose that is in keeping with who you are, and it develops your relationship with your client.

5. Costumes hide who you really are.  Small children use the plastic masks with the elastic around their head to hold it on. They're able to slide it up easily to see better or to show you who they really are. Easy enough. The large latex masks are different; they conceal the wearer's face completely, so you can't see who they are. Your use of poor stories can hide who you are to your customers, and that's dangerous for business. To the listener, it comes across as disinterested or worse yet, dishonest. Stories should enhance who you are, not hide you.

6. Costumes inhibit communication.  Often when children wear masks, the mask makes it difficult for the candy-passer-outer to understand them. Fortunately, on Halloween, you still know what they want. It's not that easy for your clients. If you choose the wrong story at the wrong time, you might actually get in the way of good communication, and that's not easy to rebuild.

7. Costumes don't help you stand out from the crowd.  I expect to see a number of Thor's trick-or-treating tonight; I saw the costumes on sale at Wal-Mart and Walgreens alike. It is true, however, that once you've seen one store-bought Thor costume, you've seen them all. Poorly chosen stories can effect people the same way -- heard one, heard them all. That's why it is so important to tell YOUR stories, not stories you've heard or read somewhere else. Tell your story, not someone else's.

Which of these apply to you? Leave a comment and join our community!

Stories Are Universal!

‎"The story — from Rumplestilskin to War and Peace — is one of the basic tools invented by the human mind, for the purpose of gaining understanding. There have been great societies that did not use the wheel, but there have been no societies that did not tell stories."
                                                                     ~ Ursula K. Le Guin

Audio Book Review - "The Bride Collector" by Ted Dekker

Sick, twisted, creepy - all of these terms have been used to describe Ted Dekker's books. Come to think of it, they've been used to describe Ted Dekker.  I must confess, Dekker is one of my favorite authors. I enjoy his explorations into the mind.

I just finished listening to the unabridged version of Dekker's novel The Bride Collector. This book will give you the creeps. A serial killer is killing women so they can be God's brides. The FBI special agent in charge of the investigation  but I can't imagine it being better without the voice acting talent of John Glover. He played Lex Luther's dad on Smallville, and his narration of Dekker's novel is superb.

It's a deep exploration into how we see value, beauty and worth.

In an interview at the end of the audio book, Dekker says the theme of the book is "what if every person is the most important person in the world?"

Everybody Has a Story!

One of the most memorable scenes in the movie Pretty Woman was that of a man walking down the street asking each person he saw and nobody in particular, "What's your dream?" Something about the way he says it, though, makes you wonder, "What's my dream?" I don't know if everybody has a dream, but I know everybody has a story!

CBS reporter Steve Hartmen believed that too, and in 1998 he set out to prove it. To find a story, Hartman would toss a dart over his shoulder at a map of the United States, and then travel with his cameraman, Les Rose, to wherever the dart landed. Upon arrival, he would find a phone booth with a phonebook, and then, after choosing a name at random, would call that person, hoping to tell their "story." He produced more than 100 episodes of the award-winning series, and his adventures took him around the country. And while each episode was a testament to Hartman's talent as a storyteller, he first had to have a story to tell. Those came from the people he met. Each episode I saw was fascinating; Steve Hartman proved everybody has a story!

Everybody's got a story! What's your story?

Book Review: I'll Make You an Offer You Can't Refuse

Wanna bet!

I looked forward to reading this book, yet once I started reading it, I kept putting it down. The cover of the book communicated something totally different than what was inside. Don't get me wrong, Franzese writes a lot about how he made the mob millions engaging in illegal commerce. But it comes across as, “Hey, kid! Look at me! I'm a made man!” It seems just a little too Scorsese. I kept looking around the room for Michael Corleone.

This is a little book at 152 pages; it should have been easier to read. Franzese writes nothing in the early part of the book to make the reader care about learning the principles he lays out. There is something slimy about looking to a former mob boss to get business principles. Somehow, I can't see Joel Comm or Dan Cathy turning to this volume searching for nuggets of truth related to business.

While I did not care for this book, I think I would enjoy reading Franzese's other books about life in the mob. The subject is always fascinating, as mystery envelopes anything related to organized crime.

Without a doubt my favorite thing about this book was Thomas Nelson's experimental program, Nelsonfree! When you get the hardback version of the book, you also get access to a free ebook and an audio version of that book. I love this idea! I hope the Nelsonfree program extends to their other selections as well. I'm just bummed I had to learn about it with a book I couldn't bear to trudge through.


Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher through the BookSneeze®.com <http://BookSneeze®.com> book review bloggers program. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 <http://www.access.gpo.gov/nara/cfr/waisidx_03/16cfr255_03.html> : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”

Unplugged - For a Little While

The weather here in north Georgia has been so unusual over the last week, it actually made the national news. We were snowed in after only 4” of the white stuff. (Cue Yankees laughing) The snow, sleet and freezing rain, followed by a week of freezing temperatures made roads impassable. 

Now that the weather is back to normal in north Georgia; life is also returning to normal. The Winter storm of 2011 is a memory . . . almost. Yesterday was one of those blue sky days that begs you to go outside and have some fun, so we answered the call. We went over to a local college (the largest college in the country) to walk along one of its many trails. The sky was clear, and the wind was crisp; it was one of those days when the temperature is fine when you’re standing in the sun, but really cold when you move into the shade. It seemed we had the whole place to ourselves. . .  us, and the deer.

Following the trail and enjoying the warmth of the sun, we snaked across a field and made our way to the woods. From there the trail turned to mimic the line where the woods met the field and we rounded a corner into the shade. We were thrilled! On this beautiful, fifty-something degree day we traipsed into four inches of snow still clinging to the shadows. My kids threw snowballs, climbed snow-covered hills, and made snow angels. They chased deer in the field, in the woods, and through the field. Our dog tried to run from the snow, only to find out it extended far beyond her leash. The winter storm was extended in our world at least for a little while, and we were thankful. We finished our little adventure as the sun fell below the trees, thankful to God for the blessing being outside together. 

Sometimes it's good to be unplugged.

More People are Catching On!

Audiobooks are used by people all over the place, yet it isn't too hard to find someone who doesn't listen to them at all. Some might say that finding audiobooks is too cumbersome, but in truth, it's never been easier. In Georgia, where I live, you can download books from the public library web site, and I'm sure it is the same in most other states. The good people of the Kentucky Public Library Association wanted to highlight its audiobook rental program, so they created this spot to tell everybody about it.

If downloading an audiobook is that easy, you might have time to read all those books recommended to you. In fact, you might find that you enjoy it so much, you invent reasons to run errands so you have more time to listen to it in our car. Excuse me, I need to go to the store to get some milk. (I've got the newest David Baldacci book in the car.)

Benefits of Audiobooks #3: Increased Intimacy?

You know that feeling you get when that special someone leans close and whispers in your ear? That comes  from intimacy, that deep, familiar knowledge or connection you have with someone else. Most of the time, we relate intimacy with romance, but it doesn't stop there.

When you listen to an audiobook, you are most often listening in the car or through headphones. In that moment you allow the narrator's voice to become the primary sound you hear. Hearing only his or her voice for hours quickly increases your familiarity with the reader's style, cadence, and way of speaking or acting.

Unlike actors in movies or television, the narrator works alone. There is no set, no props to aid the listener's experience. The narrator must bring to life the written word. In doing so, he creates a kind of trust with the listener. An understood agreement that exists during the time they spend together; something like, "I'll do my best to make this book really interesting, and if I do, you'll search for time to finish listening to the book."

During the time you are listening to a book, you are giving the narrator permission to speak directly to your mind for hours. Out of that familiarity grows intimacy between the narrator an the listener; and for that reason, you will often search out those voices that become familiar to you.

When you listen to audiobooks, you'll find there are certain readers/ narrators you prefer over others because of the quality of the voice. Some, you will find, have the ability to connect with readers in the first chapter. Some are able to overcome poor writing, and make the story better than it is.

Hearing another voice read a book is a great way to make reading fresh. It makes the reading experience more intimate. Try an audiobook today; you won't regret it. Or so says the voice in your head.

Who is Our Audiobook Audience?

A consistent question I've heard since our launch has been, "Who are your audiobooks good for?" The quick answer is everybody over eight! They were originally written for young boys, more what we would call Young Adult readers. That doesn't leave out adults though! Don't forget, Harry Potter, Artemis Fowl,  Twilight and The Inheritance Cycle (Eragon, Eldest and Brisingr) all fall into the Young Adult category! Henty's books take place in history, though. In the Heart of the Rockies embraces Lonesome Dove-kind-of-adventure rather than fantasy, and tells the hair-raising story of a young man's experiences in the American West.

So who enjoys this kind of story? Homechoolers know Henty's works and have loved them for years. What a great tool to supplement your homeschool curriculum! (The books come with a .pdf of the entire book at no extra charge!) Henty creates tales that faithfully recreate defining, often overlooked,  moments in history. He weaves stories that cover the globe, yet they teach values embraced by all.)

These stories help the roadtrip miles go by quickly and are sure to be enjoyed by your whole family. Instead of "How many miles before we get there?" your ears will be surprised to hear, "Are we there already?" Ahhhh. . .

Or do you know someone whose vision is impaired? Audiobooks make great gifts for the vision-impaired and provide hours of entertainment for the elderly.

Heading into this Christmas season, take a minute to listen to an audiobook. Turn off the negativity on the radio, and listen to a story of adventure, endurance, bravery and excitement. It will make a difference in your outlook as well as your day!

If you haven't yet, go ahead, click the BUY NOW button to the right, and purchase In the Heart of the Rockies to listen to this holiday season. See if you don't find yourself enjoying the story and sharing it with others!

Audiobooks can be for everbody! Give them a chance today!

We're Live!

At least I hope so . . .

Testing . . . 1, 2, 3. . .

Ok, we are definitely on here for real. Yet, some aspects of our launch are being adapted due to technical difficulties.

Please join us in celebrating our first day of business by investigating our site:

• Notice the "About Us" page that tells you more about why we're here and our purpose in having an online business in the first place.
•  Check out the blog posts that expand on our heart for the genre of audio books and the benefits found in listening.
• Most importantly, check out that "BUY NOW" button in the upper right and order yourself a copy of the first Darbonne Audiobook. Order some for your friends. Order some for Christmas gifts now, heck . . .  order some as coaster sets!

 *** The major adaptation is that we will be sending you this first of our products on a CD-Rom with discussion questions enclosed for you to use with your family as you listen.

For future selections, you will be able to purchase and download your audiobook right here on our site. Until then, purchase In the Heart of the Rockies today and be looking for a package from us that just might include a Lego or two -- if Brock has anything to do with it.

Join us on this first day of being . . .

On His Adventure!

Benefits of Audiobooks #2: Expanded Vocabulary

This benefit of listening to audiobooks seems obvious, doesn’t it? It stands to reason that if you listen to an audiobook, you’re bound to pick up some words or phrases you didn’t know, understand, or use before. So, “Why the blog post about it, Captain Obvious?” you might ask. The answer is pretty straight forward: things aren’t always what they appear to be.

Expanded vocabulary is a good thing, right? You want your children to be able to communicate intelligently, using an expansive vocabulary that demonstrates a depth of understanding and a broad education. The ability to communicate well works like a key that opens doors to possibilities previously unknown. Placing good audiobooks in their hands is one way parents can equip their children for such opportunity. And therein lies the rub.

Notice I said good.  I’m not here to convince you my idea of good should be your idea of good. However there are some principles we can employ to maximize the benefit of audiobooks for our children. I don’t think many would argue with the idea: garbage in, garbage out.
In the coarsening of our culture over the years, books have not been left out. The language and the themes of young adult literature have often served to rob youth of their innocence, substituting sophistication for maturity. We, as caretakers of our youth, must seek out content which would benefit them; not tear them down.

Reading is a good thing, but not all books are worth being read. Reading still must be monitored. With younger children the content itself must be monitored in order to protect them.
As children grow older, parents, teachers, and caretakers have the responsibility to discuss challenging ideas, being careful to teach them how to process information that doesn’t line up with one’s values. In this way children are molded into capable and responsible thinkers, able to reject those themes or ideas with which they don’t agree.

Too often as a teacher I heard parents tell me, “at least they’re reading.” No! That’s not the answer! Find good literature, not those filled with the “grit of real life.” Reading should lift them to higher ideas. Ask a librarian, search the internet for reviews from respected sources, not just bookcreature137.

Be on the lookout for a good mix of fiction and non-fiction. Look for stories that teach about human character, warts and all. Look for stories which focus on triumph, not trouble.

If your child listens to those stories, his heart will be strengthened. His heart will be expanded by powerful stories of overcoming obstacles and true self-esteem. And you will hear a change in the way he speaks. Audiobooks have the power to change lives, for good or bad. Choose wisely, and you will reap the benefits long after you hit “play”.

On His Adventure~
Trey

Benefits of Audiobooks #1: Greater Fluency

I love to read! Books, blogs, magazines, newspapers, websites — you name it, and I enjoy reading it! I taught literature in schools for 18 years, and in that time I observed a growing trend. (Most of those years were spent teaching 9th grade.) My college-prep students came to me with low-level reading abilities. I don’t mean to say they could not read; on the contrary, they could read. They just could not read well.

Reading is its own field, and I do not pretend to be a reading expert, but the major problem my students’ experienced was one of fluency. Reading fluency includes both the speed of reading, and the ability to read with expression. My students could read the words on the page, but the vast majority of them  were unable to read with expression. As we struggled to listen to one read aloud one day in class, it dawned on me the reason they hated reading so much was that it bored them. Not the subject matter, but their listening to themselves reading in their own heads. Unable to read with any expression or effectively follow a written conversation, my students were boring themselves to death and didn’t realize it.

I knew they needed to have good reading modeled for them. I tried to read to them at times and they enjoyed the process, but I couldn’t go home with each one. That’s when I turned to audiobooks. Using audiobooks, students could follow along with a good reader. Over the years I noticed some students demonstrate marked improvement in their reading fluency, but that wasn’t the most interesting thing observed. Many students related to me they just enjoyed listening to the story. The narrator made it more interesting than they thought they could.

I began to listen to a few audiobooks to pass the time while on long car trips, but the more I listened, the more I was hooked. Now, I listen to both fiction and non-fiction, and it is rare you do not find me listening to an audiobook if driving down the road. This summer I read 68 books, 53 of which were audiobooks.

Obviously, I love audiobooks! But  I have seen first-hand one of the biggest educational benefits of audiobooks — greater fluency. In coming posts we’ll take a look at other benefits of audiobooks.


On His Adventure,

Trey

Power Tools for Parents

When I walk into Lowe’s I am automatically drawn to the power tool area, even if I am only there for wasp spray. There is something about power tools that turns men into kids in a candy shop. Can I have this drill? Oh this router Can I have it? If I can get this drill AND this router, I can build you those bookcases you have always wanted! Please!  My wife knows I can’t put together  Legos, but being around the power tools makes me feel as if I can handle any home improvement job if I only have the right tool. But I digress.

 Darbonne Audiobooks wants to provide Power Tools for Parents in the form of audiobooks. GA Henty wrote adventure stories for boys for the purpose of teaching godly virtue to young boys. We are working to produce audiobooks complete with discussion guides to help parents reinforce those virtues included in Henty’s stories. Stories are like a drill to the heart; they cut through all the stuff in the way to get to the heart of the matter. It’s easy for boys to lose their way in our culture, and we want to provide parents with another way to connect with their children and teach them, without being preachy.

We are excited that our first audiobook will be ready to ship soon!  We look forward to partnering with you as you teach virtues and morals to your children. Who knows, maybe we’ll see you in the Power Tools section at Lowe’s!

On His Adventure,

Trey

Defining Moments

In the original “Star Wars,” when Luke realizes Uncle Owen and Aunt Beru have been killed, he moves forward with a much different future than he had envisioned. In that moment his life is changed, forever.  What makes story such a powerful means of communication?

Compelling stories work their way past our minds into our hearts. They communicate a type of character to which we are drawn or from which we are driven, based upon our values.  That character is revealed in defining moments like the one Luke faced. Defining moments spark an instant paradigm shift. I suspect for most of us, however, our defining moments are less dramatic, but no less important.

June was such a day for On His Adventure as we took our first step toward recording GA Henty’s adventure tale, The Heart of the Rockies. I have dreamed about recording these stories for well over a year, and I am thrilled to have the opportunity to share them with you. Henty’s books mark the intersection of adventure and wisdom, of daring and commitment.

Our desire at Darbonne Audiobooks is to pass on these stories to a growing generation of boys who do not believe in their hearts Beaver’s description of Aslan in The Chronicles of Narnia,

“Safe?” said Mr. Beaver. “Don’t you hear what Mrs. Beaver tells you? Who said anything about safe? ‘Course he isn’t safe. But he’s good. He’s the king I tell you.”

We want to tell these stories in a way that moves beyond a young boy’s mind and reaches his heart. Meeting the King is a defining moment for anyone. Using the power of story to communicate timeless values marks a defining moment for us. What are the defining moments in your life? How did it change you? Leave a comment below and let’s build a community powered by our own stories.

On His Adventure,
Trey

The Adventure Outside Your Front Door!

Well, we’re finally here on the web! There is still much to do, but this day has been a long time coming. This blog, On His Adventure,  will serve as the home for Darbonne Audiobooks, a new media company dedicated to teaching timeless values entwined in the power of a good story. We seek to use powerful stories to partner with parents in teaching forgotten values grounded in truth.

Remember what Bilbo said to Frodo at the beginning of Fellowship of the Ring

“It’s a dangerous business, Frodo, going out your front door. You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.”

In a day and age where it is difficult to find those willing to accept responsibility for their own actions, we seek to provide a community experience and learning resources for you who want to “keep your feet” as you journey out On His Adventure!


On His Adventure,

Trey