As the founder of the Written Out Loud storytelling and writing program, I have been besieged these past few weeks by questions from well-meaning friends, all of whom are being mind-blown by ChatGPT and these other new and stunningly powerful Large Language Models. Jaws on the floor, my friends are all asking me the same thing:

"Aren't you afraid of A.I.?"

No.

The reason why not, of course, is a story. That's today's episode of Written Out Loud.

Hosted, written, produced and edited by Joshua Shelov.

writtenoutloud.org

Why are we afraid to write?

Unlike thought or improvised speech, writing requires composition. Writing sends a message to our readers: I put some thought into this. I composed something. I chose this word instead of that word; I put them in this order, just so.

To compose one's thoughts as well as one can into a piece of writing requires courage. Because it sends the message: this is the best I can do, right now.

This episode is the best story I can tell, right now. I've been afraid to tell it for over 20 years. It's just the beginning, but that's OK. This time I intend to see it through.

Written, hosted, and edited by Joshua Shelov.

writtenoutloud.org

It took me an awfully long time, and quite a bit of failure, to break into Hollywood. 

Once I finally made it inside the studios, at every single meeting I attended, I was asked the same question.

The answer became the basis of what we teach at Written Out Loud.

Written, hosted, and produced by Joshua Shelov.

writtenoutloud.org

How did a random story told to me by a  cab driver change the course of my life?

When you think of "out loud storytelling," you likely think about kid stuff. Stories told at sleepaway camp, or bedtime fairy tales told to the very young. 

There's something deeper going on. Out loud storytelling doesn't merely connect all of us, young and old alike. It connects us to our ancestors and descendants. I am neither joking nor exaggerating. Out loud storytelling is the closest thing to actual magic I've experienced in my life.

This episode tells the story of the pivot point of my life.

Welcome to Episode 2 of Written Out Loud, a podcast about storytelling. 

Written, hosted, and produced by Joshua Shelov.

writtenoutloud.org

This is the best story I've ever heard. Period.

In future episodes, we're going to talk about what makes a story great, and how you can begin to master the craft of storytelling.

But in this episode, all you have to do is sit back and listen.

Hosted by Joshua Shelov.

Writers write words. Storytellers right the world.

writtenoutloud.org