Review "Storyworthy"

About the Author

Matthew Dicks is an American author, storyteller, teacher, and podcaster. He is primarily known for his award-winning performances on The Moth, where he has won multiple StorySLAMs and GrandSLAMs.

He is passionate about storytelling in everyday life—a skill he teaches not only on stage but also as a teacher in workshops and seminars. In addition to his work as a storyteller, he writes novels and nonfiction books, including Storyworthy, in which he teaches techniques that anyone can use to develop compelling, authentic stories from their lives.

Matthew is also an elementary school teacher, which shapes his ability to explain complex ideas clearly and entertainingly. With humor, honesty, and an exceptional eye for detail, he inspires people to transform their personal experiences into stories that touch and connect. His work demonstrates that storytelling is not a talent, but a craft that anyone can learn.

What is the book about?

Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks is a practical book about the art of personal storytelling. It shows how anyone can develop captivating narratives from everyday experiences. Dicks teaches techniques he has personally tested on stage and in real life.

A key tool is the "Homework for Life" exercise: Daily, you are supposed to jot down a small, meaningful observation to sharpen your sense for moments worth telling. I've adopted this approach. It's become an integral part of my evening routine. I write my daily wrap-up, in which I answer eight questions. I now also add the story of the day. As part of my Weekly routine, I've introduced the Story of the Week to practice writing. I still find it difficult. Here you can see my first attempts: Weekly 32, Weekly 33, and Weekly 34.

He also explains how to structure a story to build tension, evoke emotions, and resonate with the audience. Instead of emphasizing heroic tales or dramatic events, the focus is on authenticity and identifying minor turning points that reveal more profound meanings. Dicks also highlights common mistakes, such as superfluous details or overly broad narratives, and offers clear strategies for avoiding them. In the end, Storyworthy teaches how to find, shape, and tell stories—and thereby touch and connect with people.

What's so great about it?

The special thing about Storyworthy is its immediate practicality. Matthew Dicks makes it clear that great stories don't depend on extraordinary experiences, but on the ability to tell small, meaningful moments.

He explains complex techniques so clearly and humorously that you immediately feel inclined to try them out. The book is both motivating and technically precise—a rare combination. It changes your perspective on everyday life and makes storytelling accessible to absolutely everyone.

As I mentioned above, it immediately captivated me and inspired me to try it out. Gazing into your own past through writing stories and the associations it evokes is simply fascinating. I also watch films more consciously and pay attention to their story moments. I apply these techniques to stories—whether written or spoken. It's simply fun and enjoyable.

What's annoying about it?

I find Matthew's presentation of his content to be appropriate. The knowledge is conveyed in the form of stories. This is why Storyworthy seems a bit long-winded. Matthew packages almost everything in personal anecdotes, which can be repetitive or appear too long.

Those expecting quick, concise tips will need patience. Moreover, the tone is very American—full of self-confidence and success stories—which may not suit everyone. Some readers might feel that he often puts himself at the center of attention instead of staying sober and focused on his craft.

The Best Quote

One of Matthew Dicks' most powerful quotes from Storyworthy is:

Stories are not about what happened. They're about how what happened changed us.

This quote sums up the core of his approach: Good stories thrive not on the events themselves, but on the inner transformation they trigger in the narrator (and thus in the audience).

What have I learned?

Above all, I've learned a great deal about myself since I began writing stories and reflecting on my day more mindfully. My bullet journal also contains three pages of tips and tricks I could consider when writing stories. These are all points I marked while reading because they're scattered throughout the anecdotes and stories.

I find Chapter 23 particularly worthwhile to read. It encourages you always to see moments with other people, whether they are meetings, get-togethers, or dates, as an opportunity to convey your own point of view more effectively through stories. This is a soft skill that Matthew rightly calls a superpower that can be learned to the benefit of all.

Why should everyone read the book?

Everyone should read Storyworthy because it demonstrates the profound impact of powerful stories in everyday life. Matthew not only teaches techniques for the stage or podcast, but also provides tools that work in your career, relationships, and personal life. Stories create connections, make complex content more understandable, and help us appear authentic.

Through exercises like "Homework for Life," you learn to perceive life's small moments more consciously and discover meaning in them. The book changes your perspective: Instead of waiting for spectacular experiences, you realize that the best stories already lie in the inconspicuous details of everyday life.

Matthew doesn't address it so explicitly, but it stands out again and again: attention plays a central role. Only those who observe their lives and themselves can recognize the otherwise hidden stories and later tell them. I'll address the deeper meaning of attention in my following book review, "Rapt: Attention and the Focused Life."