You might notice that I’m trying to relate why I love storytelling with aspects of the holiday season as well as the end of the year. Although you may relate ‘giving’ to ‘gift giving’, that isn’t what I’m really focussing on. Storytelling allows us the opportunity to give something. It could be a feeling, a moment, or even an experience someone may never have. Storytelling has an unbelievable power to give things that aren’t of a physical nature. It can help us give mindfulness, emotions, a release, or a moment to reflect.
 
I must admit, the physical act of receiving a book has always been something I love. It’s like receiving a new world. Then, whenever I’ve given a story, may it be a book, film or anything else, I’m giving them the same opportunity—to experience a new world. There is something to be treasured about the giving of stories. They could be in the physical or material sense, or it could be a story by someone at the dinner table. It brings people together. It’s a moment to be shared, which is why I think this is very appropriate for this time of year.

It's time to talk about metaphors and similes! When I grew up, I always got metaphors and similes confused. It got to a point where I would give up on metaphors and just stick with similes. Now, after years and years of studying, I feel confident that I know the difference! So, if you're like how I was, maybe this will be the video you've been waiting for!

Although there are reindeer antlers in the photos, when I write ‘joy’ I don’t mean just the Christmas kind. I do think that people are more joyous over this holiday period, which is why I wanted to focus on it for this instalment. I don’t know about anyone else, but the feeling of joy when planning, concocting, creating and finishing a story is addictive. Well, it is for me. Yes, there are times when it’s painful. Yes, there are times we want to burn what we’re creating because we don’t think it’s good enough. I know, I’ve been there. But the joy is still there, deep within the stress, pressure and tears.
 
Then, there’s the joy we feel when we are experiencing a story. I love finding a great story. I’ll open a book, put on a movie or play a video game, and usually I know I’ve landed on something great in the first few moments. I feel immersed and I fall in love with the events that unfold. It could be the language, the plotline, or just how original the story is. I’ll find myself smiling and feeling all giddy like a kid on Christmas day. I’ll stay awake at night for a little longer because I want to keep experiencing it. It’s what feeds my passion to tell stories. It’s what makes me who I am!

Today's activity for Writing Wednesday is one of my absolute favourites. It helps to ground me and focus on something other than what is going on in my life. It's a time for us to step back and become a witness for everything happening around us, and to try and transport others into the moment we are trying to capture.