tandtelling

Tandtelling is a collaborative storytelling practice in which two or more participants co-create a narrative through alternating contributions, prompts, or shared writing. The method emphasizes turn-taking, active listening, and mutual respect, and can be conducted verbally or in written form. Formats range from simple two-person exchanges to larger, rotating groups.

In dyadic tandtelling, two participants alternate lines or sentences to advance the story, while round-robin tandtelling assigns each participant a turn in sequence. Prompt-based tandtelling uses a facilitator-provided prompt, theme, or constraint to guide the narrative. Digital tandtelling enables asynchronous collaboration through shared documents or online platforms, allowing participants to contribute at different times.

Uses include education to support language development and literacy, therapy and social-emotional learning, and team-building or creative work in workplaces and community programs. It is also employed in performance contexts as a structured method for improvisation and collaborative storytelling, with variations that emphasize genre constraints, timeboxing, or inclusive participation.

The term tandtelling is a contemporary concept that has appeared in educational and creative-writing discussions since the 2010s and 2020s. Proponents highlight its inclusivity, adaptability, and skill-building, while critics note potential uneven participation, challenges in maintaining coherence, and the need for a skilled facilitator to manage dynamics and timing. Related practices include collaborative storytelling, storytelling circles, and improvisation-based exercises, all of which share a focus on collective narrative creation.