Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling by Matthew Dicks

A five-time Moth GrandSLAM winner and bestselling novelist shows how to tell a great story -- and why doing so matters.

Synopsis - 

Whether we realize it or not, we are always telling stories. On a first date or job interview, at a sales presentation or therapy appointment, with family or friends, we are constantly narrating events and interpreting emotions and actions. In this compelling book, storyteller extraordinaire Matthew Dicks presents wonderfully straightforward and engaging tips and techniques for constructing, telling, and polishing stories that will hold the attention of your audience (no matter how big or small). He shows that anyone can learn to be an appealing storyteller, that everyone has something "storyworthy" to express, and, perhaps most important, that the act of creating and telling a tale is a powerful way of understanding and enhancing your own life.

Review - 

I am so fortunate to be a part of a book club that exposes me to great titles I hadn't heard of, like Storyworthy. As a non-fiction author, when they put this title on the list to read, I was intrigued.  I love to give wings to to the stories of others and the wisdom they share, but had been doing it totally by instinct. I couldn't wait to dive in.

From page one I was intrigued. I found myself constantly highlighting sections to return to and look at again.  Dicks talks about the 5 second moment which is the focus of a good story. He shares how to edit the story you tell and assures readers not everything needs to be included. The goal is to streamline your story in a way that holds the listener and makes an emotional connection from first line to final closing. There are tons of examples offered in support from his own work. 

Last but not least, he offers 3 different practices to incorporate into your daily routine that will help you develop a long list of story ideas. Two you'll just have to read the book to find out. The one I will share that spoke most to me personally was Homework for Life.  It is a way of slowing your life down, noticing the small things, and even stimulating memories of times past.  I am starting this today. 

A great read whether you want to step on stage, or just share become a better story telling in regular conversations. 

Buy the book: Amazon.com ~ Amazon.ca - iBookstore ~ Indigo

Meet the Author - 

Matthew Dicks is an international bestselling novelist whose books have been translated into more than 24 languages, a 56-time Moth StorySLAM champion, and 9-time GrandSLAM champion. He is the humor columnist for Seasons magazine and a columnist for Slate magazine. He has also published for Reader's Digest, The Hartford Courant, Parents magazine, The Huffington Post, and many more. 
The Connecticut Society of Professional Journalists awarded him first prize in opinion/humor writing in 2015, 2016, 2017, and 2019, 2020, and 2021. His stories have also appeared on PBS’s Stories From the Stage.

Dicks has been an elementary school teacher for 24 yeras, a storyteller, a marketing and storytelling consultant, a speaking coach, a blogger, a wedding DJ, a minister, and a Lord of Sealand. In addition, he cofounded (with his wife) Speak Up, which produces sold-out storytelling performances throughout Connecticut, Massachusetts, and New York at least once a month. He teaches storytelling and public speaking to individuals, corporations, universities, religious institutions, and school districts around the world. He is also the creator 2 podcasts - Speak Up Storytelling and Boy vs. Girl. 

Connect with the author: Website ~ Facebook ~ Twitter ~ LinkedIn ~ Youtube