Kristin Hill Taylor

Seeking God as the Author of Every Story

  • Home
  • About
  • Books
    • Peace in the Process
    • Bringing Home More Than Groceries
  • Contact

How storytelling connects us

May 23, 2018 by Kristin 21 Comments

I’ve always loved stories.

As a kid, I befriended my neighbor with stories that quickly became intertwined throughout middle school and then high school and then into adulthood. Stories have birthed so many other friendships throughout the years. As a student, I’d always prefer a paper over a test. I’ve told stories on porches, in letters, in the gaps of working in newsrooms and while parenting. I’ve listened to others’ stories and forged bonds over words and experiences.

And, of course, I’ve read many books and strung together many words bound up in my own book and my own soul.

As I was settling into post-college young adulthood and figuring out who I was, I read “All Over But the Shoutin’” by Rick Bragg. I was a young newspaper reporter at the time soaking up a veteran reporter’s storytelling about his home. His childhood and career path were different than mine, but his words brought me home to my own experiences and places and people.

(Here’s a list of all of his books if you’re interested.)

We all have stories that connect us.

{Tweet that.}

I got to meet Rick Bragg last weekend right here in the small Kentucky town I call home that’s probably not so different than his small neck of the woods in Alabama. I listened to him tell some stories and read a few paragraphs from his newest book, got to shake his hand, and share a tiny piece of my own story.

And, of course, I bought his newest book – “The Best Cook in the World: Tales from My Momma’s Table.” Yes, it has recipes inside, but, perhaps more importantly, it has the stories from around his family’s table.

When it was my turn to get his book – okay, BOOKS, plural, because I brought my favorite “All Over But the Shoutin’” with me too – the librarian I know introduced me as a former newspaper reporter who still writes and is a stay-at-home mom. I appreciated her letting him know where our stories overlapped and his words of encouragement were a blessing. (See that note and autograph above.)

Funny story about the other book I had him sign: I bought “All Over But the Shoutin’” at a thrift store or yard sale and it was already autographed to someone else. So he changed that and obviously enjoyed doing so. I didn’t know if I was going to have him (re) sign it, but when he talked about thrift stores in his presentation, I knew he’d appreciate me being introduced to him through someone else.

I’d love to hear about a storyteller you love.

*****

Kristin Hill Taylor - Porch Stories
 Loading InLinkz ...
  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • More
  • Click to share on Pocket (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Tumblr (Opens in new window)
  • Click to print (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)

Filed Under: Porch Stories Tagged With: books, community

Comments

  1. Meghan Weyerbacher says

    May 23, 2018 at 6:10 am

    Too cool, Kristin! How neat and funny about the thrift store experience. I love them and so do my kids. I grew up going with my aunt to these little shops in their hometown and found treasures there (my imagination gets the best of me). How did you find out he was speaking?

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 23, 2018 at 7:12 am

      More than thrift stores, I really love yard sales. 🙂 I saw in the old-fashioned newspaper he was speaking. Thanks for being here, Meg!

      Reply
      • Meghan Weyerbacher says

        May 23, 2018 at 8:04 am

        I’m hoping to make time for those this year. I never was brave enough to take little kids and didn’t go for years. Newspapers!!! Love.

        Reply
        • Kristin says

          May 23, 2018 at 8:47 am

          I haven’t been in awhile (hello, toddler!), but I hope to get in the routine again soon. As a former newspaper reporter, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to totally quit newspapers. 🙂

          Reply
  2. Joanne Viola says

    May 23, 2018 at 6:29 am

    Love this story! How wonderful to see his sense of humor in his {re} signing of your book! Sometimes encouragement and affirmation come tailor made for us and this was surely true for you. You surely are a writer and should not give either of those books away. Hold onto them and pull them out on days doubt may attempt to creep in. This is just the best story!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 23, 2018 at 7:09 am

      You’re the best encourager, Joanne. I’m thankful we’re connected through our stories. xo

      Reply
  3. Michele Morin says

    May 23, 2018 at 6:59 am

    One of my favorite story tellers was a former missionary to China. I’m working right now on trying to remember and record some of the stories of her years there before WWII, and then before Communism changed everything.
    We’re so blessed to be recipients of the stories of others.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 23, 2018 at 7:08 am

      Oh, I bet that’s really interesting! We are indeed blessed, my friend. xo

      Reply
  4. Debbie Putman says

    May 23, 2018 at 8:20 am

    When I was teaching, I went to two different conferences where my hero teachers of writing were presenting their expertise. I had read their books and used their techniques in my own classroom. There was something inspiring hearing them tell their stories. I took their books with me, and each one graciously signed it. Those signed books are treasures.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 23, 2018 at 8:46 am

      Those are such inspiring moments. I’m glad you had that experience, Debbie!

      Reply
  5. SUSAN SHIPE says

    May 23, 2018 at 8:37 am

    I love the re-sign of the used book. Very cool.

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 23, 2018 at 8:45 am

      Yeah, I was glad I brought it to show him. Glad you’re here, my friend! xo

      Reply
  6. Barbara Harper says

    May 23, 2018 at 8:38 am

    Oh what fun! I love how he autographed both books and got a kick out of re-autographing the second one. One of my favorite story tellers is a Margaret Stringer, who was a single missionary to Papua New Guinea for something like 40 years. She’s “retired” now but busier than ever speaking. She’d have us rolling in the floor laughing over what was originally a scary situation. One of my favorite anecdotes was about a low time in her life when she felt alone and unloved. During the night something fell and hit her head, and when she turned on a light, she saw it was a plaque that said “God careth for you.” A unique but effective way for Him to get that message across. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 23, 2018 at 8:45 am

      Sounds like a good one! I’ll have to check her out sometime. Thanks for sharing, Barbara!

      Reply
  7. Sue Donaldson says

    May 23, 2018 at 12:22 pm

    love this story and his book – will put the new one on my list!

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 24, 2018 at 7:18 am

      His new one is one of those books that has paper and a cover that feel so good! I’m looking forward to diving in – so far I’ve only skimmed and flipped through it. Thanks for being here, Sue!

      Reply
  8. Lisa notes says

    May 23, 2018 at 12:59 pm

    Aw, I love this story with Rick Bragg. How fun that you got to meet him! So cute how he re-signed the now-yours book. 🙂

    Reply
    • Kristin says

      May 24, 2018 at 7:17 am

      I’m glad you’re here, Lisa!

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. Secret Places: Time Alone with God #LMMLinkup - Words, Photos and Art says:
    May 23, 2018 at 12:34 pm

    […] I’m linking up with: #FiveMinuteFriday, #InspireMeMonday, #SundayThoughts, #Grace&Truth, #TeaAndWord, #CoffeeforYourHeart, #porchstories […]

    Reply
  2. May days! Stories from the porch says:
    May 30, 2018 at 4:00 am

    […] I got to meet one of my favorite authors! Be sure to read about that experience, if you haven’t […]

    Reply
  3. Stories from the Porch in July says:
    August 1, 2018 at 4:01 am

    […] to “Southern Living” and remembered why I love magazines. (Plus I wanted to read Rick Bragg’s column regularly!) I also picked up a couple to read when we traveled. “The Magnolia Journal” […]

    Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Let’s Connect

  • Bloglovin
  • Email
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
  • RSS
  • Twitter

About Me

Telling stories is my therapy and I love sharing them with friends on my porch.

The main characters in my stories are my entrepreneur husband, our high school girl who never forgets, our middle school boy who has no fear, and our joy-filled first-grade girl. As we live out our stories, we seek God as the author of them all.

Learn more about my story here.

Subscribe for Updates

Recent Posts

  • From snow to sand
  • Books of 2022
  • How to enjoy winter days at home
  • How to cook new recipes
  • How to have fun as a family

Join the Conversation

Join the Conversation

On Instagram

I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by P I know, “everyone” is reading “Spare” by Prince Harry. But I also keep hearing different opinions about it. So here’s mine!

I am intrigued by the royal family and I liked watching “Suits,” just so you know my very loose interest. I had also watched the @netflix documentary Harry and Meghan released. 

Short answer: I really enjoyed listening to this book. 

An heir, then a spare. Deep grief as a child when his mom dies that he doesn’t really confront until he’s older. An institution that governs every decision in his life yet doesn’t protect him when he felt like he needed it. That’s some heartbreaking makings of a good story. And I appreciate Prince Harry telling it — even though I’m sure parts were incredibly difficult. I also appreciate why he and Meghan did what they did and are trying to establish new, different roots. 

Ultimately, this book is about death and life and all the moments in between. I’d recommend listening to it because his voice is a good one. 

One minor, silly complaint: There are 232 chapters, although they’re numbered starting with one in each of the three sections. That makes the audiobook not flow quite as well as it would otherwise because most of them are just a few minutes long. 

I give it ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ and I’d love to hear what you think because, you know, everybody is reading it! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #readersofinstagram #audiobooks #audible #princeharry
We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @ We are all in for basketball season! Tonight was @murraystateuniv Spirit Night at the @memgrizz game. We had some pre-game fun with friends, watched the Grizzlies come back from 19 down to win, and witnessed Ja Morant’s triple double.

#memphisgrizzlies #basketballseason #NBA #TeamTaylor #bettertogether #weekending #favoritethings #RacerNation #MurrayState #WeAreRacers
Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most ever Cheering for our Racers — and, really, most everything in life — is more fun with friends! What an awesome atmosphere at the CFSB Center today with a Murray State win, Ja Morant in the arena, and more memories.

#RacerNation #MurrayState #collegebasketball #basketballseason #bettertogether #WeAreRacers
I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let I’ve worn a favorite sweatshirt that says “Let heaven and nature sing” twice this week. I may not be singing Christmas carols anymore, but I still felt the depths of winter this week. The sweatshirt seemed right. 

The sun didn’t shine much this week, although seeing on Friday as we wrap up the work and school week was welcomed. It’s mostly been cold and gray. It’s felt like winter. 

A lingering tension needs resolution and understanding, but honestly the gap between seems so vast. I crave slow time at home and meals around our table. I miss some friends and was reminded of the heartache that can come with community, but I also felt the deep appreciation of friendship and remembered the beauty of sharing this life with others. I was excited for an invitation and easily accepted it. I started a new habit (hopefully) walking with a friend. 

While driving through my days, I remember how uncertainty is what makes me look up. I remember my Creator when I am slapped in the face with the reality I’m not actually in control. I remember (again) to surrender. 

Goodness happens in the gray of winter. Life may look and feel different, but new life is always preparing to break through the cracks of the ground. The gloom that tempts us to look down doesn’t last long when we believe the sun will break through the icy trees and the fog will lift. 

This is hope. Even in winter. Thank God for it all. Let’s let heaven and nature sing. 

#countryliving #latergram #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #reallife #weekending
I heard mixed reactions about this book from two d I heard mixed reactions about this book from two different friends, but I enjoyed it! 

I liked the backward timeline, although I was uncertain about how it would work until the end. Some of the twists and connections were so good! 

I also liked the bigger ideas Gillian McAllister tackles: We miss things when we are living our life at our normal pace. What if we could go back? What would be notice that would change our reality? And, of course, perhaps, there would be unintended consequences. 

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ It did get a little slow in the middle, but the end and beginning are quite good! #KHTreads #bookstagram #booklover #kindlebooks #kindleoasis #readersofinstagram
This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in This about sums up motherhood: My teenage girl in the middle rebounding and playing hard and little sister photobombing the moment! 

Honestly, parenting has been hard lately. Nothing major. But so constant and always adjusting. 

Even so, I love watching them on the court and in life. There is so much excitement and goodness among the repetition and exhaustion. 

This is real life. And those are our 10-0 Lady Lions out there. 🦁💛

@ncca.lions #momlife #reallife #basketballseason #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #girlmom #firstborn #thirdchild
I finished studying Colossians today with my Prece I finished studying Colossians today with my Precept group. Paul wrote this letter to an established church that was still growing and learning and maturing in the faith — like us all.  I really loved this study because it spoke right into my life with encouragement for knowing Christ, walking in wisdom and truth, praying continually, letting peace rule, and giving grace. Plus Paul deeply loved his people. 

“Therefore, as you received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in him, rooted and built up in him and established in the faith, just as you were taught, abounding in thanksgiving.” — Colossians 2:6-7

Too often I step out of God’s presence for two minutes while are loading up the van in the morning or I’m rushing kids to bed. Too often I don’t surrender my fleshy desires and feelings to the One who holds this whole wide world in His hands. Too often I think my plans are worth holding onto tightly. Too often I think I can bring peace to my household, minivan, or dinner table. 

But real peace passes all my understanding. It rests in God’s wisdom and knowledge alone. How amazing we have access to that, thanks to Jesus. How easily I forget where I’m rooted. 

I want to let peace rule — in my home, in my head, and in my heart. 

Today while I was driving, I noticed how lovely the road, land, and sky looked. But today was really windy, like feel-it-move-my-vehicle and knock-over-trash-cans windy. It almost felt deceptive with the beauty before me, but, really, that’s like life. 

Sometimes it seems I have it together. People know my gifts of organizing information and people. I show up on time and am responsible. But so many thoughts and feelings are swirling in my mind. I replay conversations and fight against the same insecurities from the previous day. 

I feel both lovely and like my swirling mind could knock me over at any moment. And that’s why I needed God, particularly through His words through Paul to the Colossians. 

#livingfaithfully #faithlife #churchlife #reallife #countryliving
This girl has been complaining of a sore throat th This girl has been complaining of a sore throat the last couple of days, but she hasn’t had a fever or any other symptoms so I kept telling her she was fine. Truth be told, she a bit of a hypochondriac and generally happy, so it’s hard to tell if she sick sometimes. 

The folks at Aligned Health took care of her this afternoon and are treating her for strep or whatever bacteria is making her throat look and feel rough. 

I’m thankful for access to medical care and an unexpected night at home.

#momlife #thirdchild #reallife #momconfessions #livingfaithfully #choosingJOY #sickday
I really loved this book! “Life is the stuff th I really loved this book!

“Life is the stuff that happens in the cracks between your plans and expectations.” — from “One Night on the Island” by @josiesilverauthor 

The writing is excellent, the setting works well, and the story unfolds in some predictable but sweet ways. I also think it was the right book at the right time for me. 

#KHTreads #romcom #romcombooks #bookstagram #booklover #librarybooks #readersofinstagram
Load More... Follow on Instagram

Favorites

Categories

Archives

Copyright © 2023 Kristin Hill Taylor | Design by Traci Michele | Development by MRM