On episode #26 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our followup segment, we talk about upcoming Speak Up events, respond to listener comments, and offer a shout-out to our fans down under.  Next, we talk about finding and collecting stories in your everyday life using "Homework for Life." We talk about how the moments that we find using Homework for Life might represent the mid-point in a story rather than the end. We also talk about how doing Homework for Life can allow you to examine your life more often and more fully.  Next we listen to Linda Storms' story about running for her life at the ripe old age of six.  After listening, we discuss: The power of embodying your former self when telling a story The power of the perfect ending to a story The spooling out of details slowly to preserve surprise and suspense The effects of raising the stakes throughout a story  The way in which the physical description of a person can say a great deal about that person Allowing the beginning and ending of a story to engage in a conversation with each other The difference between an episode from our lives and a real moment from our lives  Next, we answer questions about our worst storytelling moments ever and the variety of motivations that bring storytellers to the stage.  Finally, we each offer a recommendation.   LINKS Homework for Life: https://bit.ly/2f9ZPne Matthew Dicks's website: http://www.matthewdicks.com Matthew Dicks's YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/matthewjohndicks  Subscribe to Matthew Dicks's weekly newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/matthewdicks-subscribe The Robbery: https://bit.ly/2DWczc2 RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha: The New York Times Modern Love column:  https://nyti.ms/2n8KC8Y Modern Love - The Podcast: https://wbur.fm/2GGaSRf "You May Want to Marry My Husband" by Amy Krouse Rosenthal  https://nyti.ms/2mNuQg1  Matt: Oversimplified (Youtube):  https://bit.ly/2yatIvQ