The Baby Boomers understand. It was long before MP3s and digital sound. It was even before CDs, and cassette tape...and even the infamous 8-Track!

It was the age of the phonograph record. I know, some of you have never even seen one!

But when you do listen to a record played on a turntable, there's something magical about it. It's not the filtered, processed sound that comes from digitally mastered recordings these days. No matter how new or pristine the record may be, it will always have a distinct sound, a slight crackle. The background noise that makes you feel as if you are there! It can even be comforting. 

When you are practicing (or performing) storytelling, you may want to think about the way those records sounded; not perfect (whatever that is), but real, alive. Don't worry about those tiny little flaws or missed gestures. Don't worry about saying "she" when you meant "he". Don't worry about a cough from an audience member when you are going for a silent, dramatic pause.

Just give your story life. Life isn't perfect or pure or filtered. Life has crackle and scratches. Let us see and hear them. It's what makes it real.

Don't take the scratches out of your records - or your stories.