Narrative Moth
Narrative Moth Consulting
Hi, I’m Jocelyn F. Tatum. I help make stories human.
I think listening and storytelling is the most loving way we can bring each other’s gifts into the world.
I once profiled a photographer who also said the most loving act is to listen. She listened through her camera lens as she brought forth her subject’s authenticity in photographs. I believe this too. In fact, she took this picture when I interviewed her as she set up for a photoshoot. She was “testing the light,” but really, she sought to bring out my light. We became each other’s subject. I was nervous, but she was listening.
To get quiet and listen … to people, to nature, to the world around you is the greatest act of love. The way your story is told can make all the difference in the way you are seen and heard in the world, so I believe this is a sacred endeavor, and one I take very seriously.
Photo by Rambo.
I often get asked to speak to advertising, marketing and public relations departments about narrative news writing and how the craft can benefit their clients. I also speak to journalism students and reporters about this craft because they hope to practice this compelling way of sharing the news. It gets people to care. It makes stories human.
From these speaking engagements over the years, I saw a need to bring this out into world beyond the gatekeeping in our media systems. Narrative Moth was born out of this need. I have loved every minute of passing along what my narrative mentors gave to me so many years ago, so I launched this consulting business to bring narrative journalism into the marketing world and onto the streets through writing workshops. I work with individuals and nonprofits coaching them how to apply these tools as self-advocacy.
How can I help you tell your story? I have made a career of transcribing people’s stories to the page. Illustrating what you or your business does through narrative writing techniques helps people to see you.
I have an innate sense of wonder about the world that keeps me asking all the questions a toddler does: Why, why is that, but why? It made me a lifelong journalist and storyteller. I love attempting to understand people and all the things that keep the world turning.
My stories express compassion, craft and care. I know good stories, told well, have the potential to translate beautiful truths about you and me.
How I can serve you using these gifts and skills.
Maybe you have a creative project to share with the world but don’t know how to tell your story. Maybe you need help writing the story of your beloved nonprofit and sharing exactly the ways they elevate the community. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story can make all the difference. And as a professional journalist, editor and educator for 18 years, I can help.
This all started when I reflected on my career and realized how much I have learned in my kaleidoscopic journalistic journey, and how much value that enables me to bring to organizations. So why not help more companies with their specific writing needs by starting Narrative Moth?
Why a moth? Click here.
YOUR STORY IS THE WAY YOU ARE SEEN AND HEARD IN THE WORLD. LET'S MAKE IT GOOD.