Engage Your Followers With Backstory
I've blogged a lot recently about story. And the part of story that I love the most is backstory–the story behind the story.
I ran across blogs for two artists, one a chorale composer and the other a photographer, who go beyond just showing their wares. They give the backstory.
Ken Kaminesky is a photographer who I found on Twitter (@kenkaminesky). Take a look at his blog post about a photo he took of Times Square on a rainy night.
Eric Whitacre is a "rock star" of the chorale world, who my husband had seen in concert earlier this year. His music is stunning, even if you aren't a fan of chorale music. Listen to The Seal Lullaby and then read the story behind the song.
Judging by the comments on both sites, when you provide the backstory, people respond. Backstory engages. In the case of Kaminesky and Whitacre, backstory not only exposes more about the creation. It also exposes the creator. (Okay, I know what some of you are thinking right now. Try not to cringe with the thought of being in the spotlight.) With Kaminesky, we see his patience in waiting and waiting and waiting, just to capture the absolute right moment on his camera. With Whitacre, we see his creative process as well as his heart. The result is a greater appreciation for each artist's talents and who they are as people.
How can you use backstory in creating conversation with your community? I'd love to hear your thoughts.
I recently spoke to students at Loyola University about preparing resumes, interviewing, getting ready for the job market, etc. It was amazing the breadth of experience many of them had and how important their stories would be as part of finding their first job. Sharing such experiences is definitely part of my story.
On to Eric Whitacre: (since seeing Eric at Alice Millar conducting his music a few years ago I’ve been a big fan and my band has performed band arrangements of several of his pieces over the past years). One of my favorite stories about the creative process and music is regarding Eric Whitacre’s “Sleep”. After setting Robert Frost’s “Stopping by Woods on a Snow Evening” he came to find out that the Frost estate was vigorously protecting their copyrighted work and refused to let him perform this piece. He covers the rest of the story here – http://ericwhitacre.com/music-catalog/satb-choral/sleep
A reminder that the creative process is not linear and we need to remain flexible when faced with challenges.
Thanks, Bill, for sharing your observation of how students have rich stories to tell. That’s the great thing about story–everyone has a story, even if you are at the beginning of a formal career.
And thanks for sharing the story of Whitacre’s Sleep. After reading the backstory, it makes me appreciate the song even more. The idea of creativity borne of constraints is one that I find fascinating. I think the French have a word for that–bricolage. It’s that thing of making a great meal from leftovers in your fridge. It forces something new that otherwise would not have occurred.
Hi Carol,
I like the idea of a backstory…
Although I am not sure that when you have a strong and clear story you still need a back story…
A good story shoudl have ‘the big why’ incorporated, no?
I believe storytelling is all about connecting your story with that of peers.
Why do many people use social media? Because so many other people do. People want to be with other people. It’s that simple. Because they want to be connected. To a group of like-minded people.
Why do people around the world clamour at the doors of bookstores each time a new Harry Potter comes out? Why did 200,000 people want to see the Champions League competition in Copen- hagen against Barcelona with Lionel Messi, Xavi Hernandez and Andres Iniesta, when there were only 35,000 seats in the stadium? Why do hoards of people gawp at Jessica Alba or George Clooney when they dare to show themselves in public?
Because we feel at our best when we are connected with other people. If we can show that we belong to the same group. Loads of manufacturers and advertisers play on that. What are Millet jackets. What are Paul & Shark sweaters, Jimmy Choo shoes or the sandals of the members of ‘Groen’, other than the outward symbols that allow the wearers to say: look at me, connect with me, I belong to your group. Compared with these outward symbols, stories have the advantage that you don’t have to keep quiet about them, they can be told.
More in my Manifesto ‘The New Trade: about peer-to-peer storytelling.
Raf
Thanks, Raf, for your wonderful comments. Agree that the best stories already have the “why” built into it. And backstory brings to mind the use of story, when no one expects it but everyone loves that you took the extra step. I think it’s the aspect of “extra” and “bonus” that makes it doubly appealing.
I’ve checked out your manifesto on peer-to-peer storytelling–marvelous! I really resonate with the idea that people want and need to belong to something larger than themselves and that story is a way to connect people together. Great stories are universal–I see some part of my own experience in someone else’s story. Look forward to chatting more, live time…..