Bookish Banter: Great Storyteller Vs. Great Writer

A little Bookish Banter to get us through.  Bookish Banter is a little bit of banter about our bookish thoughts as we have a friendly discussion over a nice cup of tea. 

For this bookish banter we will be discussing the differences between a great story teller and a great writer. We'll talk about which we prefer.

Jenn-

I have been thinking about this lately. I have read some really great books of late and I am not sure if its just really great books or I was away from reading for so long I missed it greatly. At any rate I read this one book that really got me thinking about what makes a great read. I mean we need the book to be written well and to have a great story. But really what makes each and can a book live on just one aspect of this partnership. I believe it depends on what you want and what you like. 

If we are honest... a great book need both to be written well and have a grand story. So what is great writing and what is great storytelling. 

Well when I think of a great writer I think of pacing, setting, tone... Are these things done well. But what some consider a well written book is technically written well. I think these things can go hand. I think a great writer can use all these things to make a great story. They can put words down that make sense and also tell the story. It is very important to have great pacing, a well done setting, and a tone that sets it all. A book can have all these elements but still lack for me. 

I have had books that had all these elements. The words were beautiful, the setting was beautiful, the tone was there to set the mood... but something was still off. I could admire the work and enjoy the story but  the story didn't take me where I wanted to go. It didn't give me all the feels I wanted. I didn't breathe and live the story. 

A great storyteller has a great story to be told and when that story is told, I feel it in my core. I not only see it all I am there. I am living it. I am so wrapped into the story that I feel a void when the story is over. This is a great storyteller. A great storyteller can tell me about their lunch date and I would be totally enthralled.  I think you can have a great writer without being a great storyteller... but a great storyteller is always a great writer too. 

I do believe one can write well and but the story lacks emotional and life.  I have read well thought out stories but the writing was just not done well. The development lacked. In both of these circumstances... the book just wasn't good. So a book needs to have great storytelling  and great writing... So really a great writer and a great storyteller are one in the same but still different. So if I haven't confused you... because apparently I am neither a a great writer or a great storyteller.... what are your thoughts?

Ash-

I still really don't understand the difference. We keep talking about it, but I don't really see a difference when I'm reading a book.

With that being said I obviously don't have a preference. 

I mean, I guess I have a few favorite authors that write really well? Or maybe they're good story tellers. I honestly can't tell the difference.

I just like what I like I guess. I don't have much to say on this subject.