The Story Frame

Short and funny personal stories and thoughts on how to write them.

(Video Included) I Slipped on a Banana the Night Before My Biggest Performance

Life happens before, during and after art-making I was there for the Story Grand Slam. A grand slam is an annual competition where the monthly winners of a story slam get together to compete once more. I checked in with the show's producers, said hello to the other storytellers, and then went fo...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 22, 2025 creativity life parenting performance productivity

I Survived a Tornado in Dallas But Barely

Becoming a storm chaser for a night Living in Texas is not for the weak of stomach. Sure, property is cheap there. Sometimes, you go to Buc-ee's for gas, a Slurpee, and some Venison jerky. When you walk outside, you realize the clerk stuffed the title to a giant ranch right under your armpit. ...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 21, 2025 culture relationships satire society travel

Writing Without an Audience in Mind

Publishing platforms are not created to improve your writing Photo by Rahul Mishra on Unsplash Social media and content platforms create a problem for artists they didn’t need to deal with before. The same place where artists publish their work is also where they go to check for the wor...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 15, 2025 creativity productivity storytelling structure writing

You Eat Chinese Food at a Chinese Restaurant

The Virgin Can Be Scarier Than an Atomic Iguana (3/3) For the celebration of my first communion, my dad took us to the fancy Chinese restaurant, Jardines de Confucio, or Confucius' Garden. My younger sister, Rosy, came with us to celebrate my first wafer-cookie-eating event. When the waiter came...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 14, 2025 coming of age culture growing up intercultural relationships

My First Communion Party and the Many Glories of Being a Kid of Divorce

The Virgin Can Be Scarier Than an Atomic Iguana (2/3) I was under no delusion; the Virgin could still walk into my mom's room and ruin the plans I had for the rest of my life. I was pleased when the Virgin decided not to talk to me all night. When the sun came out, I took a 12-minute nap. I don’...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 13, 2025 coming of age culture intercultural satire society

The Last Night I Lost Sleep and My First Communion

The Virgin Can Be Scarier Than an Atomic Iguana (1/3) I still remember the last time I lost sleep. September 14, 1994. Okay, I made up a date, but I remember the night. It was the night before my first communion. After six months of memorizing prayers and passages from the Bible, I was finally ...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 12, 2025 coming of age culture family intercultural satire

Waking Up Early to Write Might Not Be for You

Ramit Sethi, the financial guru from I Will Teach You to Be Rich, is one of those writers I have been following for a long time. I first learned about him from the chapter he wrote for Tim Ferriss' book "The 4-Hour Workweek" in 2009. I bought my first course from him in 2012 and have continued to...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 07, 2025 creativity productivity routine storytelling writing

Transform Your Writing: Six Practices to Discover Endless Stories

“Si no viene hoy las musas, tendré que ir a verlas yo.” (If the muses don't come today, then I must go see them myself.) - Estopa, Un Rincon Del Mundo You do not feel motivated or inspired to write or do anything at all, really. And you are not alone. The last few years (decades) have been exhau...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 06, 2025 creativity editing productivity storytelling writing

Does Everyone In The World Need a Writing Practice?

The answer might kill you. Okay, fine, the answer won't kill you. But I was hoping to heighten the tension by imitating how the media delivers almost every single piece of news imaginable. But the answer might surprise you. At least, I think my answer will surprise you. And the answer is no. I d...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 05, 2025 creativity editing productivity writing

You Don't Have Writer's Block. You Have the Opposite Problem.

Artificial constraints and mindset shifts to overcome story paralysis There are probably more than one million and one articles on how to overcome Writer's Block. Typically, the essays or listicles are a variation of "How can I overcome Writer's block? Oh, I know, write about Writer's Block...

by Carlos Garbiras — May 01, 2025 creativity editing productivity storytelling writing

Strewn Out Musical Instruments and a Shady Record Deal

A Screaming Goat Wins Four Grammy Awards (3/3) I am hyperaware of those things now with my daughters, especially with my oldest. I am complimentary of anything she does because I truly believe that kids (and adults) need less feedback and more encouragement. If you pursue any craft long enough, ...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 30, 2025 creativity education music productivity

My Family's Genetic Musical Gift Skipped Me

A Screaming Goat Wins Four Grammy Awards (2/3) What strikes me most about this story is how often it repeats itself and how some teachers who are supposed to encourage little ones make unsupportive comments about their students' pursuits. However, it is not only teachers who make these comments;...

by Carlos Garbiras — Apr 29, 2025 creativity education family relationships storytelling

1 2 3 4

The Story Frame

Short and funny personal stories and thoughts on how to write them.

The Story Frame

Short and funny personal stories and thoughts on how to write them.

Join Our Free Trial