The first element is Point of View<\/strong> \u2014 it\u2019s about reflecting who we are, what we want to convey, and from which perspective. Next comes Starting with a Dramatic Question<\/strong> \u2014 the kind that grabs attention right away and makes the audience want to keep listening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The third is Emotional Content<\/strong>, because when something makes us feel<\/em>, it stays with us. Emotions help us connect and remember. Fourth is the Gift of Voice<\/strong>, which lets the reader hear not just the words, but the personality, the mood, maybe even the age or gender of the narrator.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Then there\u2019s the Power of the Soundtrack<\/strong> \u2014 music sets the tone and brings an extra layer of meaning to a story. The sixth is Economy<\/strong>, which reminds us to keep things simple and intentional \u2014 using images, words, and sounds that matter. And finally, there\u2019s Pacing<\/strong> \u2014 the rhythm of the story. A good pace holds the audience\u2019s attention and draws them through the highs and lows, just like a heartbeat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Later, I watched a TED Talk about the power of digital storytelling. The presenter, Emily Bailin, shared a beautiful poem called Where I\u2019m From<\/em>, inspired by George Ella Lyon. I loved it so much that I wrote my own version.<\/p>\n\n\n\n I\u2019m from a place where cornbread and collard greens are sweet, I\u2019m from where four seasons seem rolled into one, I\u2019m from a place where the Caribbean is close, I\u2019m from a place where plantains come with beans and rice, I\u2019m from a city of liberty,
\n\n\n\nWhere I\u2019m From<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Where the sun beats down on my feet,
And the thick air doesn\u2019t quite cool you off from the heat.<\/p>\n\n\n\n![\"Food](\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/54788263273_68c9f63da0_z.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
And all year long it feels like summer fun.
It\u2019s one-and-done.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where coffee serve cold is our morning toast. Where Rasta is in my pasta.
When we play dominoes, the winner brags and boasts,
And everyone laughs like they\u2019re doing the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Where rush hour traffic is anything but nice.
But you can take a back road, once or twice,
And find a view that\u2019s never boring.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And one that was once named Carol,
But the dolphins came to play, and now the name feels hollow.
It\u2019s Gardens now \u2014 though I miss the old name.
Forgive me, but it feels the same \u2014 disheartening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
![\"Rasta\"](\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/54788263278_e47161aa07.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n![\"Ice](\"https:\/\/live.staticflickr.com\/65535\/54788263283_bd002b9eaa_z.jpg\")
<\/a>\n<\/div>