ABSTRACT
At a recent conference, I met a woman who spoke about the power of narrative in writing. As we discussed briefly the human need to tell our stories, it occurred to me that conferences-all oral and written texts, really-represent a legitimate and formalized vehicle for all of us to tell our stories. Some stories are personal, some professional, some imaginary, but all of them allow for reflection that moves us forward and beyond the events toward insights as we hear ourselves tell them. We need extended and blended stories, sometimes whole new ones, if we are to develop as individuals, as educators, as writers, even as a culture.
