How to become a better storyteller:
1/ Stop telling stories for the sake of it
I get it.
Everybody’s saying how storytelling
- builds trust
- persuades the reader
- makes people resonate with you
But honestly…
Just because you’ve included a story doesn’t mean your writing is good.
I get it.
Everybody’s saying how storytelling
- builds trust
- persuades the reader
- makes people resonate with you
But honestly…
Just because you’ve included a story doesn’t mean your writing is good.
A story isn’t a building block you can plug in anywhere you want.
It can convey
- ideas
- lessons
- opinions
- messages
- arguments
- perspectives
on it's own.
And no, you don't enhance your key message just because you've added a story as an example.
It can convey
- ideas
- lessons
- opinions
- messages
- arguments
- perspectives
on it's own.
And no, you don't enhance your key message just because you've added a story as an example.
Yes, storytelling can be an element of good copy.
Or good threads.
But don’t push stories in your writing just for the sake of it.
Just because someone told you it increases your conversion rate.
Just because you want to try out Pixar’s famous framework on your own.
Or good threads.
But don’t push stories in your writing just for the sake of it.
Just because someone told you it increases your conversion rate.
Just because you want to try out Pixar’s famous framework on your own.
I don’t care about your cookie-cutter Hero’s Journey.
I care about you.
But the story you tell?
Feels more like a “But I have to!” rather than a “I desire to.”
Let that sink in.
I care about you.
But the story you tell?
Feels more like a “But I have to!” rather than a “I desire to.”
Let that sink in.
2/ Stop using frameworks
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Even if people tell me every story can be broken down into a framework — just shut up.
Sure, everything can be deconstructed and anlyzed afterwards.
In the end, that's what our brains love, right?
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution.
Even if people tell me every story can be broken down into a framework — just shut up.
Sure, everything can be deconstructed and anlyzed afterwards.
In the end, that's what our brains love, right?
Explaining why things are the way they are.
Breaking them down.
Simplifying.
But honestly…
None of your readers will think:
“Oh, he used a framework there. I think it’s the one Pixar uses as well… This story must be great”
Just no.
Breaking them down.
Simplifying.
But honestly…
None of your readers will think:
“Oh, he used a framework there. I think it’s the one Pixar uses as well… This story must be great”
Just no.
Maybe that’s what you think as a writer.
(Personally, I don’t…)
But a reader?
Can only distinguish between good and bad writing.
“But frameworks are a great way to understand how good stories works!”
Nah.
I would never suggest anybody to learn frameworks.
Why?
(Personally, I don’t…)
But a reader?
Can only distinguish between good and bad writing.
“But frameworks are a great way to understand how good stories works!”
Nah.
I would never suggest anybody to learn frameworks.
Why?
Because it’s damn hard to free yourself from them in the long run.
If you start telling stories from the outside, chances are high you won’t ever make the switch to tell them from the inside.
If you start telling stories from the outside, chances are high you won’t ever make the switch to tell them from the inside.
3/ Small stories > big ones
“But I don’t have a story to tell.”
“My life is so boring.”
“I haven’t achieved anything storyworthy.”
Sigh.
Don’t get me wrong, big stories are impressive…
But they won’t do you any favors.
Why?
Because almost no one can relate to them.
“But I don’t have a story to tell.”
“My life is so boring.”
“I haven’t achieved anything storyworthy.”
Sigh.
Don’t get me wrong, big stories are impressive…
But they won’t do you any favors.
Why?
Because almost no one can relate to them.
You’ve almost died in a car accident?
You’ve overcome a life-threatening disease?
Well…
I guess most people haven’t.
But telling stories is all about connecting minds, right?
Letting your mental movie replay in their heads.
Making them fell how you’ve felt back then.
You’ve overcome a life-threatening disease?
Well…
I guess most people haven’t.
But telling stories is all about connecting minds, right?
Letting your mental movie replay in their heads.
Making them fell how you’ve felt back then.
You actually want to tell a big story?
Congrats! You just have to tell it without
- looking like you’re bragging
- making your readers feel awkward
- confusing your audience with too many details
Good luck!
Okay, let’s be real here:
Congrats! You just have to tell it without
- looking like you’re bragging
- making your readers feel awkward
- confusing your audience with too many details
Good luck!
Okay, let’s be real here:
Big might be impressive, but not relatable.
Instead, look for the small moments.
The two second epiphany you had this morning while sipping coffee.
The smile someone gave you on your afternoon walk.
The idea you’ve had after talking to a colleague.
Instead, look for the small moments.
The two second epiphany you had this morning while sipping coffee.
The smile someone gave you on your afternoon walk.
The idea you’ve had after talking to a colleague.
Those are the moments people can relate to.
Because they’ve experienced just the same.
And that’s one of the most fundamental human desires:
To feel understood.
Acknowledged.
By other human beings.
Because they’ve experienced just the same.
And that’s one of the most fundamental human desires:
To feel understood.
Acknowledged.
By other human beings.
You don’t need a Hero’s Journey when you can just have a two second story that gets your mental movie playing.
That makes you wonder.
Bonus points:
Writing about what hapened this morning has way less friction than trying to find THE success story in your life.
That makes you wonder.
Bonus points:
Writing about what hapened this morning has way less friction than trying to find THE success story in your life.
4/ Listen to your inner voice
But…
How do you actually write a compelling story your readers can’t help but fall in love with?
Tough question.
Mainly because there isn’t a secret formula.
No secret tips.
But…
How do you actually write a compelling story your readers can’t help but fall in love with?
Tough question.
Mainly because there isn’t a secret formula.
No secret tips.
You could read tons of books on how to become a better writer, but that won’t be it.
In the end, you have to find your writing voice.
There’s no other way.
How?
Listen to your thinking voice.
Your thought patterns.
The way you think.
How ideas fly in.
In the end, you have to find your writing voice.
There’s no other way.
How?
Listen to your thinking voice.
Your thought patterns.
The way you think.
How ideas fly in.
If you were about to write them down as they flow, what would you end up with?
A stream of thoughts?
An episode of mental screenshots, tied to one another?
The best writing isn’t the one think about the most.
It’s the one that feels most natural to you.
A stream of thoughts?
An episode of mental screenshots, tied to one another?
The best writing isn’t the one think about the most.
It’s the one that feels most natural to you.
And no, I’m not talking about a braindump here.
You shouldn’t write down every thought you have.
But remember a particular memory…
Get that movie playing…
And notice what your inner narrator has to say.
You shouldn’t write down every thought you have.
But remember a particular memory…
Get that movie playing…
And notice what your inner narrator has to say.
What it comments on.
How it guides you through this past experience.
- What it feels like
- What you can see
- What is has to say
- What you’re focusing on
- What gets your attention
I am not saying it’s easy.
I am just saying it creates irresitible stories.
So…
How it guides you through this past experience.
- What it feels like
- What you can see
- What is has to say
- What you’re focusing on
- What gets your attention
I am not saying it’s easy.
I am just saying it creates irresitible stories.
So…
Practice thinking.
Practice being aware of your thoughts.
Practice letting that movie go without becoming immersed in it.
Just observe.
Watch.
And then write down what you see.
Practice being aware of your thoughts.
Practice letting that movie go without becoming immersed in it.
Just observe.
Watch.
And then write down what you see.
TL;DR:
1/ Stop telling stories for the sake of it
2/ Stop using frameworks
3/ Small stories > big ones
4/ Listen to your inner voice
1/ Stop telling stories for the sake of it
2/ Stop using frameworks
3/ Small stories > big ones
4/ Listen to your inner voice
Storytelling isn’t actually a skill.
It’s a mindset.
In my latest newsletter, I discuss
- How to use storytelling the right way
- How to adapt a storytelling mindset
- How to find your tone of voice
Read it here:
thegenuinejulie.beehiiv.com
It’s a mindset.
In my latest newsletter, I discuss
- How to use storytelling the right way
- How to adapt a storytelling mindset
- How to find your tone of voice
Read it here:
thegenuinejulie.beehiiv.com
I did my job today.
Now it’s time for you to do yours.
If you’ve liked this thread:
1 Follow me @thegenuinejulie if you want to become a better thinker AND storyteller.
2 RT the first tweet to make Twitter finally get rid of those measly frameworks.
Thank you! ;)
Now it’s time for you to do yours.
If you’ve liked this thread:
1 Follow me @thegenuinejulie if you want to become a better thinker AND storyteller.
2 RT the first tweet to make Twitter finally get rid of those measly frameworks.
Thank you! ;)
Loading suggestions...