On episode #55 of the Speak Up Storytelling podcast, Matthew and Elysha Dicks talk storytelling! In our follow up segment, we discuss some exciting news from the world of the parent and trademark office and from a recent Moth StorySLAM. We also hear from a listener who identifies an unfortunate verbal tic that Matt must now excise from his lexicon.   STORYTELLING WORKSHOPS 2019 July 27: Storytelling workshop (advanced), CT Historical Society July 29-August 2: Storytelling bootcamp, CT Historical Society August 17: Storytelling workshop, Taproot Theater, Seattle, WA October 4-6: Storytelling workshop, Art of Living Retreat, Boone, NC October 25-27: Storytelling workshop (beginners), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health December 6-8: Storytelling workshop (advanced), Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health STORYTELLING SHOWS 2019 August 10: Great Hartford Story Slam at Hartford Flavor Company August 17: Solo storytelling show at Taproot Theater, Seattle, WA September 7: “Tests” at Real Art Ways In our Homework for Life segment, Matt talks about how storytellers are constantly trying to make connections between moments in their lives in order to understand life better and tell better stories.  Next we listen to a story by Mark Scerra.  Amongst the many things we discuss include: Authenticity thru the avoidance of memorization The power of nostalgia in a story The variety of constructs that could be used in telling a story The identification and preservation of surprise Metering out character description throughout the story Making sure that hard-to-imagine elements of a story are made as imaginable as possible The effective violation of Matt's cultural reference rule We then answer listener questions about storytelling in technology and pitching stories to Speak Up.  Finally, we each offer a recommendation.   LINKS Purchase Storyworthy: Engage, Teach, Persuade, and Change Your Life Through the Power of Storytelling Purchase Twenty-one Truths About Love  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 Subscribe to the Speak Up newsletter:  http://www.matthewdicks.com/subscribe-speak-up RECOMMEDATIONS Elysha:  Chompers: https://gimletmedia.com/shows/chompers Matt: When the World's Most Famous Mystery Writer Vanished by Tina Jordan: https://nyti.ms/2Y7C1Sv