Does anyone have advice on telling in folk clubs (apart from Don't!)? I'm a learner storyteller who has been actively telling for 18 months. I'm being supported by a traditional Scottish storyteller and also hope to be mentored by a leading English one. I attend festivals regularly, go to as many events as I can get to and go to workshops. Have recently been to two masterclasses and the appraisal from the leaders was all positive. I do occasional voluntary work with more on the way. Currently amateur but hope to work professionally eventually.

My big problem is the lack of a storytelling circle in my area - I do hope to start one eventually when I feel there is sufficient interest locally. So I tell stories at local folk clubs occasionally. Difficulty is that some of the audience are not very story-oriented. One gentleman recently told me that he had difficulty "getting into stories". Stories do in general seem to be regarded by folk club audiences as something people do if they can't sing or play an instrument. They are certainly regarded as inferior.

I am a learner storyteller, but a promising one, not a poor one. I am also a singer and do sing occasionally. My singing voice may well be why I am accepted. I am actually at the stage of integrating my singing into my stories now.

Does anyone have any ideas on how I may improve the acceptance of my material?