Marni Gillard: Storyteller, Storyteacher

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cover of Marni Gillard's audiotape, Without a Splash

Praise for Without a Splash

"Fed by these stories..."

Dear Friends,

I wanted to let you know about a new audio tape that is really worth checking out. It is a wonderful example of autobiographical storytelling.

Without a Splash: Diving into Childhood Memories, a double cassette tape by Marni Gillard is oral biography at its finest.

The five "interlocking stories" on her tape begin in early childhood and weave themes of relationship, religion, life lessons, loss and love into a journey well worth taking again and again.

Marni's masterful ability to give voice to each character and emotion brings the listener into her world, while simultaneously transporting us back into our own early lives.

Marni's honest and vivid depictions of childhood were balm for my soul, returning me to an experience of community, and reminding me of the resiliency of the soul that has been loved.

My seven year old daughter has also been fed by these stories, and asks to hear the "Marni tapes" over and over again.

Elisa Pearmain, Massachusetts storyteller

"I had to pull myself away"

Thank you so much for your generous spirit, for sharing your stories by recording them. When the package arrived I was on my way to my YOGA class. I popped in Tape #1. Twenty minutes later when I arrived at the Yoga class, I had to pull myself away from you.

Marni, what can I say...it was as though you were sitting right next to me - the stories, the images you evoked in my mind's eye were exquisite and "real..." not to mention the extraordinary quality of the recording. BRAVO!

I know what a challenge it was to put this collection of stories together on a recording and I rejoice and celebrate with you! "Without A Splash" is indeed a gift for parents, children, teachers, storytellers, story listeners, one and all.

Barbara Aliprantis, New York City storyteller

"Your words...reverberate through everyone's soul"

Dear Marni, I've listened to the first story on the tape five times so far. I can see Jimmy tapping you on the shoulder and crying with you....I love seeing your big brother acknowledge the pain you felt...that's so heartening...I wanted to listen over and over to the story and tell you something that had meaning for me.

That part where Jimmy brushed you off and gave you cursory instructions for the swan dive, and your feeling of being high over the whole town, and then falling down into such hardness and losing your breath...and Jimmy was there! Wow!...............

Now I have listened in depth to all the stories. Marni, you have the ability to touch people's minds and souls....you have such a gift...don't procrastinate any longer...get these stories written....

I didn't know that you had the gift of being able to speak in so many voices....it's as if you became the different people...you somehow did that....and I don't know how.....from the mean kindergarten teacher to the young priest to the old priest with "my pearl of a girl" to your dad's voice...to your mom's....all so redeeming...Marni, please don't be afraid or shaken from your resolve. I am shaken to hear your words, and I know they would reverberate through everyone's soul....

Johanna Shogan, 7th grade teacher, Bethlehem, NY Middle School

If you need any additional information, please feel free to contact Marni.
Marni Gillard 833 Parkside Avenue Schenectady, NY 12309 USA	(518) 381-9474 marni@marnigillard.com www.marnigillard.com

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