Do you know how many words you need for a 5-minute story? It depends on your speaking speed and story style, but for me, it’s 500 words. Why? Because most of my stories are entertaining (or at least trying to be), and I need time for pauses—for all that laughter I’m hoping will happen.
Some people say, “Oh, I’ll just rush through it and make it on time.” To that, I say: *Please don’t.* If you speed through your story, the quality of your delivery takes a nosedive. Why would you want to make the audience suffer? Give them the best storytime experience possible. They deserve it.
Now, here’s the kicker: audiences are wildly unpredictable. Their reaction depends on so many factors—age, ethnicity, location, time of day, and even whether they’re NPR enthusiasts or die-hard comedy fans. So if your joke falls flat, don’t curl up into a ball of despair. Instead, channel your inner scientist: analyze, adjust, and try again. And again. And again. That’s the grind!
One of the most crucial storytelling elements is the pause. Some jokes need a moment to marinate before the laughter kicks in. I learned this lesson the hard way during a storytelling show where I performed the same story three nights in a row.
On Day 1, almost all my jokes landed—except for one. Was it my delivery? The audience? Mercury in retrograde? I tried the same joke on Day 2 with a new audience. *Crickets.* By Day 3, I was ready to throw that joke into the abyss. But instead, I accidentally paused mid-delivery—because I was second-guessing my own words. In that awkward, unplanned pause, something magical happened: the audience burst out laughing. Turns out, all that joke needed was an extra second to breathe.
So, here’s my takeaway: timing really is everything. A well-timed pause can transform a dud into a hit. And even when things don’t go as planned, sometimes those “oops” moments are exactly what you need to discover what works.
Now go forth and tell your stories—pauses and all! And remember, laughter is like a boomerang: it always comes back when you give it the right spin.