Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life through the Power of Storytelling

Why to Read This Book:

"Storyworthy" by Matthew Dicks is an exploration of the art of storytelling that is a must-read for anybody interested in becoming a better storyteller or understanding the power of storytelling. Dicks offers vital insights into what makes a story truly fascinating, highlighting the significance of narrative change, authenticity, and connection. This book will provide you a thorough grasp of the craft and why stories important in our lives.

Key Ideas from This Book:

The Element of Change: Great stories are not just about a sequence of extraordinary events but about change happening to someone or something over time. The book digs into the transformative power of storytelling, where personal experiences builds real connection and resonance.

Your audience wants to hear about something that happened to you, rather than to your best friend.

The Five-Second Moment: Every great story ever told is essentially about a five-second moment in the life of a human being, and the purpose of the story is to bring that moment to the greatest clarity possible. These five-second moments are the moments in your life when something fundamentally changes forever.

Finding the Beginning in the End: You should find the beginning by examining how the story ends. By identifying the transformative five-second moment, it encourages storytellers to craft narratives that demonstrate change over time, ensuring a satisfying and meaningful arc.

Your story’s beginning needs to be the complete opposite of its end. This opposition is vital because it helps to construct a satisfying arc within your narrative

Engaging Your Audience: Dicks advises using the present tense and avoiding rhetorical questions, as they can distract from the narrative's flow. Addressing the audience directly is discouraged, as it disrupts the immersive experience.

Don’t start with, 'I was on a train last year...' but with something like 'I am on a train, and my whole body is shuddering from its forward momentum.'

Swearing and Vulgarity: The author highlights the importance of steering clear of swearing and vulgarity in your stories. By doing so, you can make your stories more accessible to a wide range of audiences, increasing their mass appeal.