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Hello friends,

Happy, happy, happy summer! At least if you're living in the northern hemisphere.

My wife, Elysha, and I have officially begun our summer vacation this week. Though all of our travel plans were cancelled, we're look forward to long summer days at the beach, the golf course, and the backyard.

It also means lots of writing, consulting, coaching, and teaching workshops to adults, which I will enjoy.

In a couple weeks, Elysha and I will be producing our 100th episode of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast. If you'd like to play a part in this episode, we're inviting listeners to send us their own storytelling tips or stories about how the podcast has impacted your own storytelling or your life.

You can email these tips and comments via text or an audio file to speakupstorytelling@gmail.com. We'll share your ideas as a part of the podcast!

Last Saturday, Elysha and I produced our first Speak Up virtual show. Storytellers from Atlanta, Chicago, Seattle, Northampton, and Singapore joined Elysha and me on the stage to tell stories to a sold out audience on Zoom. The show went spectacularly well. Though Elysha was worried and grumpy about the whole endeavor, she came energized, enthusiastic, and excited.

We also donated our half of the proceeds to COVID-19 relief.

As a result, we're planning our next show. Details soon!

I've also launched brand new workshops for those of you interested. Details below.

A busy summer ahead!

THIS WEEK'S LESSON

Sometimes talking about what is absent from a story, a scene, or a moment can be just as powerful (or even more so) than describing what is actually present.

Knowing that the Thanksgiving table is bereft of a turkey might say more to an audience than if you took the time to list what food was actually on the table.

Explaining that your mother didn't attend your birthday party might be more important than listing the guests who did show up.

Saying that you didn't attend sex education in high school might be far more critical to a story than telling the audience what classes you did take.

Absence is often an indicator of stakes. It's often through the absence of something that a story is born. When thinking about crafting a scene, first ask yourself what is missing from the scene before asking yourself what was actually present.

Oftentimes this will produce better results and spare you the time it takes to list the things that were there.

STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS

July 11: Advanced storytelling workshop in collaboration with MOPCO Improv Theater (11:00-6:00 PM EST)

Over the course of the day, participants will have the opportunity to observe Matthew craft a brand new story in the moment, modeling all of the strategies and decision-making required to prepare a story for the stage.

Participants will then be taken through a process of finding and crafting their own story through a step-by-step process of modeling, crafting, and sharing with other participants in a safe, no-stakes environment. Participants will be taken through the process of identifying the right stories to tell, effective framing, the development of thesis and goal statements, storyboarding, humor, tone, endings, and more.

Participants can plan on a one hour lunch break at 2:00 EST and several 10-15 minute work sessions throughout the day.

Participants will also receive link for free admission to Matthew's storytelling show that evening.

ENROLL HERE.

June 15, 22, 29, and July 6, 13, and 20: Advanced storytelling workshop (8:00-9:30 PM EST)

This is a six week, virtual storytelling workshop that blends direct instruction with storyteller participation and critique, along with the opportunity to perform in a virtual storytelling show at the end of the workshop series. Storytellers need not be experienced or have taken a workshop before, but they must be prepared to tell stories in at least half of the workshop sessions.

ENROLL HERE.

July 6, 13, 20, 27 and August 3 and 10: Advanced storytelling workshop (10:15-12:00 EST)

This is a six week, virtual storytelling workshop that blends direct instruction with storyteller participation and critique, along with the opportunity to perform in a virtual storytelling show at the end of the workshop series. Storytellers need not be experienced or have taken a workshop before, but they must be prepared to tell stories in at least half of the workshop sessions.

ENROLL HERE.

Looking to learn more about storytelling through something more than a weekly email lesson?

Try my book on storytelling:

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

Available in paperback, Kindle, and audio, which I narrate myself!

On episode #98 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling!

In our follow up segment, we share emails from listeners and discuss our first Speak Up virtual show. We also discuss upcoming shows and workshops, all online!

In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about a moment that happened just prior to the recording and how to handle it.

Next we listen to a story by Kat Koppett.

Amongst the many things we discuss include: