Speak Up Storytelling

On episode #116 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss our return to posting new episodes and our upcoming shows and workshops. August 18: Speak Up at Hill-Stead Museum (6:00 PM EST) August 20-21: Storytelling Workshop (Phoenicia Playhouse, Woodstock, NY) August 21: Speak Up at the Phoenicia Playhouse, Woodstock, NY (7:00 PM EST) October 23: Speak Up at The Wadsworth Atheneum (7:00 PM EST) Tickets available soon! December 4: Speak Up at The Connecticut Historical Society (7:00 PM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding stories through contrast. Next we listen to a story by James Bengiovanni. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Authenticity of voice Capturing secondary characters in meaningful ways Raising the stakes The art of "the pause" Powers of location Alternatives to the impulse to play jokes loudly The importance of ending in the heart of the storyteller Next we answer questions about using stories in cover letters and job interviews. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Crip Camp Documentary (Netflix) Matt: How Walking Can Build Up the Brain by. Gretchen Reynolds (NYTimes) _________________________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

On episode #115 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and special guest Thomas Krafft talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops. April 21: Humor in Storytelling (8:00 PM EST) (4 weeks) April 24: "School Days" (7:00 PM EST) May 15: Storytelling workshop (beginners) (9:30 AM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the way that a simple statement, when given enough thought and consideration, can produce a story. Next Matt and Thomas discuss strategies for remembering content for the stage, incluidng: Memorizing versus remembering Strategies for practicing aloud Strategies for recording Active listening The reverse memory palace Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Thomas: Geocaching Matt: Photo rotation _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

On episode #114 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! And answering your questions! In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops. April 21: Humor in Storytelling (8:00 PM EST) (4 weeks) April 24: "School Days" (7:00 PM EST) May 15: Storytelling workshop (beginners) (9:30 AM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Elysha explains to Matt how one of his Homework for Life entries can make a great story. Next we answer lots of listener questions! Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Wandavision on Netflix Moby Dicks in Pictures by Matt Kish _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog Two Little Jewish Dicks: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xIrItw1hsSI Shoe Thief: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tl_gQhsPqXA

On episode #113 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss new content on our Patreon page and upcoming shows and workshops. March 20: "Weddings Behind the Scenes" (7:00 PM EST) April 21: Humor in Storytelling (8:00 PM EST) (4 weeks) April 24: "School Days" (7:00 PM EST) May 15: Storytelling workshop (beginners) (9:30 AM EST) In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about the way that Homework for Life can help illuminate a story that took years to complete. Next we listen to a story by Donna Shubrooks. Amongst the many things we discuss include: Humor strategies in storytelling Dispensing information without leaving the confines of the story Spooling Openings Avoiding describing scenes after the fact Next we answer questions about subtle stories and storytelling introductions. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: https://www.cookingwithshereen.com Matt: Speck of Dust by Sarah Silverman (Netflix) _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog

Steve Brouse, an elementary teacher and storyteller who performs live, and Matthew Shepard, an English-major who produces nonprofit communications and served as an early reader, talk about becoming real people in a novel. They discuss cameos, list-format storytelling, how real friendships shape fiction, the surprising places lists were written, and casting fun for a possible film.

They unpack creative stumbling blocks encountered while writing a novel told entirely in list form. They describe using beta readers and a chapter-by-chapter feedback process. A tricky plot problem about a low-risk crime and its surprising real-life solution is revealed. They discuss writing chronologically, revising as they go, and other hurdles from past books.

In this special episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matt and designer Kerri Resnick talk about the creation of Matt's novel, "Twenty-one Truths About Love," a book written entirely in list form. In this series of 5 episodes, Matt, along with Elysha, several friends, his editor, and the illustrator of the cover, will pull back the curtains on publishing. They'll talk about the writing process, creativity, collaboration, stumbling blocks, and more. "Twenty-one Truths About Love" is now available in paperback and can be purchased wherever you get books.

Hannah Braaten, a book editor at St. Martin's, shares her role shaping Twenty-one Truths About Love. She discusses how she came to edit the book, the decision to publish the list-format novel first, and the nuts and bolts of acquisitions, scheduling, blurbs, and championing projects inside a publishing house.

They trace how silly list-making in dull faculty meetings evolved into the book's central format. They describe discovering a fictional voice named Dan and ordering lists by timestamp to create narrative flow. They talk about turning personal hardship into emotional stakes and weaving real people into Easter-egg characters. They preview conversations with the editor and cover artist about bringing the book to life.

On episode #112 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks are back, talking storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss Elysha's recovery from COVID-19, a public service announcement on birds, upcoming shows and workshops, and more. In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about finding stories through contrast. Next we listen to a story by Sue Huggans. Amongst the many things we discuss include: The chronology of storytelling Controlling your audience's wonder Description without adjectives The powerful combination of surprise and vulnerability Avoiding describing scenes after the fact Next we answer questions about our podcasting equipment, Charlie's finger, and creating a family legacy. Lastly, we each offer a recommendation. RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: Thekitchn.com Matt: Springsteen on Broadway _______________________________________________ Support Speak Up Storytelling through our Patreon page: https://www.patreon.com/speakupstorytelling Speak Up merch at Cotton Bureau: https://bit.ly/3gc1h35 Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling: https://amzn.to/2H3YNn3 Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks Matthew Dicks's blog: https://matthewdicks.com/blog