Storyworthy: Book Overview, Tips, & More (Matthew Dicks)

The silhouette of a man standing on stage in front of an audience with stage lights pointed on him

Did you know that your life is full of stories worth sharing? How can you discover, craft, and share those stories with others? In the book Storyworthy, oral storytelling champion Matthew Dicks draws on his experience telling stories on stages around the world. He offers insights on how to shape ordinary moments into stories that spark profound human connections—plus tips for memorizing, practicing, and sharing your story on stage. Continue reading for an overview of Dicks’s insightful book.

The 3 Storytelling Steps From an Oral Storytelling Champion

A cartoon image of a woman on a stage in front of an audience, demonstrating the steps of storytelling

Do you know how to tell a story successfully? When should you make eye contact? Which tense should you use? In his book Storyworthy, storytelling champion Matthew Dicks shares the three storytelling steps. He also shares tips on things such as controlling your nerves, how to immerse an audience, how to navigate the use of offensive words, and much more. Here’s how to tell a story like a pro.

How to Build a Story: 6 Tips From a Storytelling Professional

An artistic image of a girl writing in a notebook in a cafe, learning how to build a story

Do you want to know how to build a story like a professional? How can you make a story come to life in someone’s mind? Matthew Dicks, an oral storytelling champion, shares his insights on how to find, write, and deliver a story. He teaches everything from how to build toward a satisfying conclusion, incorporate details, create emotional investment, keep the action moving, lie strategically, and incorporate humor. Let’s take a look at Dicks’s lessons, along with the advice of other writers such as Stephen King, Kurt Vonnegut, Robert McKee, and others.

How to Identify the Point of a Story You’re Writing

A man sitting at a writing desk in front of a window trying to identify the point of his story

How do you choose which life stories are the best ones to share? Which types of stories are the most relatable to audiences? How can you discover the point of a story to make it more significant? Well-written stories have an underlying core message that’s relatable to audiences. However, when you’re putting together a story, it can be difficult to identify which parts of your story will resonate with audiences. Here are Matthew Dicks two strategies for identifying your most storyworthy moments.

Why Storytelling Matters: Improve Your Relationships & Career

From behind, a woman is standing on a stage in front of a faceless crowd, signifying why storytelling matters

What makes true stories so powerful? Why should everyone share stories about their lives? Matthew Dicks is a champion oral storyteller and the author of Storyworthy. According to Dicks, there are more benefits to telling stories than just entertainment. Storytelling can boost your career, allow for personal growth, and facilitate intimacy. Here’s why storytelling matters and the benefits you can gain from sharing your experiences.

How to Identify Significant Moments to Share as a Story

A man surrounded by a group of friends telling a story about a significant moment in his life

When telling true stories, how can you identify significant moments to share? What makes a moment “storyworthy”? Matthew Dicks is a storytelling professional and the author of Storyworthy. He asserts that no matter what kind of life you lead, it’s likely full of stories that are worth sharing Here’s how to identify the most storyworthy moments in your life to share with others.

How to Build Suspense and Surprise in a Story: Methods & Tips

An audience of people gasping in surprise while listening to a story be told on stage

Want to know how to build suspense and surprise in a story? How can you leverage surprise to captivate an audience? Suspense and surprise are very important when it comes to keeping an audience dialed into your story. Matthew Dicks, an oral storytelling pro, shares techniques for doing both and why they’re so important. Here are two techniques for building suspense and an explanation of how to leverage surprise.

13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do—Book Overview

A cartoon image of a woman on a couch in a living room reading a book and smiling.

Why should you let your child experience hardship? How can you prevent your child from acting like a victim? Why shouldn’t you try to cheer your child up when they’re sad? There are countless books telling parents how to give their children the best possible upbringing, but psychotherapist Amy Morin realized that there were few—if any—warning parents about what not to do. That’s why she wrote 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, describing 13 common mistakes and how to avoid them. Continue reading for an overview of Morin’s game-changing parenting book.

Why You Should Avoid a Perfectionist Parenting Style

A father giving his young daughter a high-five on a plain orange background, representing the avoidance of a perfectionist parenting style

Do you expect your child to get all As in school? Is it good to set high expectations for your child? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, Amy Morin says that a perfectionist parenting style is potentially damaging to your child. Mentally strong parents realize that everybody has different strengths and that mistakes are necessary for growth. Here’s why you should encourage your child, but not push them too far.

How to Teach Responsibility to Your Children at a Young Age

A cartoon image of a young boy standing in a clean bedroom while holding a broom, representing teaching responsibilities to your children

Why is teaching responsibility to your children so important? How early should you start? What are the benefits? In her book 13 Things Mentally Strong Parents Don’t Do, psychotherapist and mental strength trainer Amy Morin stresses the importance of instilling a sense of responsibility in your children. Responsible children grow up to be more self-reliant, empathetic, and more. Here’s how to set your child up for success.