Book Review: StoryWorthy

Title: Storyworthy
Author: Matthew Dicks
Length: 368 pages
Genre: Nonfiction

Summary: Matthew Dicks, a professional storyteller and multiple Moth StorySLAM champion, shares his expertise on the art of storytelling in this comprehensive guide. The book is divided into three main sections: Finding your story, Crafting your story, and Telling your story. Dicks provides practical tips and personal anecdotes to help readers understand how to identify, develop, and effectively communicate compelling personal narratives.

Review: This book is less a universal writing guide and more a specialized manual for personal storytelling. While Dicks offers intriguing insights, his self-congratulatory tone can be distracting. (Honestly, it was really off putting.) The most valuable takeaway is his concept of finding the “five-second transformative moment” in any story – a technique that can genuinely elevate storytelling. Additionally, I appreciate the tip about writing in the present tense instead of the past tense, as it helps create a sense of immediacy and engagement for the audience.

Rating: 2/5