I'm working on an orginal story for an organization and it has many names both of people and places. (My fear for today is I'll switch first names with last names. Other then writing on my hand, which I'm not above, anybody know some good tricks?

Rivka
SimplyExtraordinaryTales.com

Hi,
I borrow a trick from learning foreign languages. Attach simple images that the words sound like. Draw the images while saying the name aloud. Images don't have to make sense to anyone else, just to me., e.g.

Joe Smith = a cup of coffee + a blacksmith hitting anvil = man standing by anvil with cup on top

Images don't have to make sense to anyone else, just to me.

Tim Ereneta = tin can + air + net = can labelled "ravioli" floating above net with lines for wind blowing.
The "ravioli" makes me use a pretend Italian accent so I get the final "a".

Of course, it's best if I make sure I've got the correct pronounciation; which may not be the case when I imagine Tim's last name.

_________________
Yvonne Healy, storyteller
www.YHealy.com
810-225-2204

I resemble that remark.

_________________
Tim E
http://www.storyteller.net/tellers/tereneta
http://www.myspace.com/storiesbytim
http://storytelling.blogspot.com
http://storytellersunplugged.wordpress.com

A simple cheat sheet can help - I am not above using a podium.

_________________
Brother Wolf is the host of the Children with Storytelling show a national conversation for storytellers, presenters, festival organizers, educators and parents.<a>Read more about the Podcast.</a>

Here's a tip for visual thinkers: cast your story with old time movie stars.

The movie stars iconic faces, if linked in your mind, will keep them distinct, and may help your memory with keeping names distinct.

Failing that, name your characters after the characters in the movies or even the movie stars.

Granted, in might be hard to justify having characters in ancient Mesopotamia running around with names like "Clark" and "Rita" and "Garbo," but...

anyone under the age of 30 won't know what you're doing.

_________________
Tim E
http://www.storyteller.net/tellers/tereneta
http://www.myspace.com/storiesbytim
http://storytelling.blogspot.com
http://storytellersunplugged.wordpress.com

I ended up using a cheat sheet.

I had created a story to celebrate and chronicle historic preservation in NJ. The crowd was made up of historians and history buffs. There was no tolerance for mistakes. Although I brought up a cheat sheet, I hadn’t intended to use it….until I inverted a date and was immediately corrected by 3 audience members. (The story was playful and fun and they still wanted everything right.) After the audience correction I had no problem looking down at the cheat sheet once or twice, (mostly for reassurance) It did not take away from the story or my telling at all.

Rivka
Simply Extraordinary Tales
862-268-4989