Joan Didion once said that we tell ourselves stories in order to live. From first date stories to the well-practiced dinner party anecdote, stories are ways of forging a connection with others—and having fun while we do it. Kentucky native Bobette Buster—an author and storytelling virtuoso whose skills are enlisted by Hollywood heavyweights like Pixar—has built a career on deconstructing this age-old art. She shares advice on how to craft a story with emotional resonance, how to walk the delicate line between sharing and over-sharing and how the requirement for a gathering to “entertain” can become a pleasure rather than a burden if the responsibility is shared equally among guests and host.

As a guest, how do you ensure that you’re an entertaining addition to a party?
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