Plotting a Persuasive Story? Better Have a Happily Ever After

All stories are purposeful. They’re meant to entertain or inform or inspire to action. If you're a storyteller for a placemaking initiative, Ben Brown says you'd better have a happily ever after.

1 minute read

October 19, 2017, 6:00 AM PDT

By Hazel Borys


Before I die

Elvert Barnes / Flickr

"On my PlaceMakers business card, my job title is 'Storyteller.' I figured a graduate degree in English and a two-decade career in journalism gave me a certain amount of credibility in that department. What I didn’t count on, however, was what the title seemed to imply to most folks. To them, I was the spin doctor."

“'We’ve got some great ideas, a really cool project,' potential clients might say. 'But people just don’t get it. Time to educate them. Win ‘em over. Go work your magic so we can get back on track.'”

"Was I wrong to be reminded of the lopsided negotiation in Cool Hand Luke?"

Brown provides a fascinating cliff notes to placemaking storytellers.

Tuesday, October 17, 2017 in PlaceShakers

portrait of professional woman

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching.

Mary G., Urban Planner

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