There is an art to storytelling.
One of the simplest measures is to write out your story in long hand. It creates and causes all kinds of chemical, emotional and physical reactions that filter into your fingertips.
Sounds crazy but it happens!

And there is evidence out there for the non-believers.

Writing by hand, does set your system on fire.
It somehow activates corners in our brain that trigger thoughts and emotions otherwise not reached.
The only downside for me, is I often think faster than I can write!
But apparently that is also one of the advantages – it slows you down to think more.

By writing out our story and our ideas, we connect with all the details, the bigger picture, the other influences.
We start to see what is the core and the centre.
And learn what is really needed to be revealed.

-There is no greater agony than bearing an untold story inside of you. – Maya Angelou

There is also another practice you can utilise: speak it out loud

I remember the days when I was giving talks. I would first write out my script to jot down the main points. Then structure it according to the audience I was speaking to.
That meant, using more questions, more story or less. After I had the speech written out, it was time for reading out loud and turning it into the magic of the colloquial style.
During this process, I would also edit, add pauses, change the questions or the order of the sentences. By telling it to myself in a vocal manner, I could hear what was working and what wasn’t.

-All the real work is done in the rehearsal period – Donald Pleasance

Rehearsing your story, repeating it over and over, listening to the nuances, adding tone and dynamics shows you where and what needs emphasis.
It informs you of the powerful moments. The sections that needs more space, more emotion…or less.
This technique is an excellent way to develop your story, your book ideas and of course, your speech.
Write your story, then tell it!

As you know my motto is:

Our voice and our pen are our two most powerful (and profitable) tools of communication.

And they work together so well. In fact they have an intimate relationship. As you repeat your story using this rehearsal fashion, you also revise and improve it and memorise it too.

It is one of the areas I have much experience in – writing and speaking and share generously with all my clients.
Speaking is such an integral part of our daily lives that we can easily disconnect from the benefits.

With my clients, my budding authors, I suggest to read a passage, a chapter out loud.
When we talk our ideas out loud, brainstorm together or offer feedback, we do all of this in a vocal manner.
Writing and speaking are always in close relations.

You can find out more here about my programs and activities.