Master Storytelling: How to Turn Your Experiences into Stories that Teach, Lead, and Inspire

by Mark Carpenter, Darrell Harmon

“I predict that this book will surprise you. The authors have discovered how this well-recognized form of communication can be deeply utilized to improve your interactions in powerful ways. Through the effective use of well-prepared stories, data dumps or boring meetings can be turned into inspiring, memorable, motivating experiences.”-From the foreword by Ron McMillan, best-selling author Your life is full of experiences that can teach principles, lead teams, and inspire action. But instead of tapping into these experiences, you use facts, numbers, and reasoning – numbing your audiences into a coma. Whether you’re a speaker, leader, teacher, coach, or anyone else who needs to instruct and inspire, this book is for you. In Master Storytelling you’ll -Why stories are so enticing to our brains. -How to find experiences that can teach, lead, and inspire -A simple process to craft those experiences into compelling stories -How anyone can become a good storyteller

Genres: Nonfiction, Writing, Leadership, Self Help, Communication

174 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 30, 2018

Reviews

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

For me personally, having taken courses that focus on storytelling there was nothing new about the tips that were explained in this book. I think that after reading this book, I was probably not the target audience, but I did enjoy the read. I do think this is a great book for professionals or people who may not have much experience with storytelling. The book does a great job being precise and clear and gives the basic essentials for storytelling.

[Aurora · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book does a great job explaining the points of a story, goals to have in mind when putting one together and how to fine tune it before presenting it to your audience/including it in your written work. It is best suited for those who have never taken writing class.

[Guido Everaert · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid synthesis, good structure, no surprises.

[D Arlando · Rating 5 out of 5]

Simple and adequate

There are not many filler words in here. The authors come together to sound like one person in a well thought out exposition of creative storytelling and practical application.

The book itself is an example of all the principles the authors teach in the book. That includes the elimination of filler words.

There was a point when I wondered if they'd really help me with my own storytelling skills considering I've been honing my craft for years. That's the beauty of the final section of example stories.

That section brought to life all of the training in the near of the book. Well worth the read and worth studying especially for the new storyteller.

[SLHK · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very good

Useful guide, probably expected a little bit more depth but to be fair story telling can touch upon many different disciplines, which would require more than a hundred odd pages.

For beginners, get the concepts down pat mentioned in the book and I have no doubt you can be a good story teller. For an intermediate level story teller, might not get you to the expert level though.

[Jerome Shaw · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyed the authors take on the art of storytelling, its uses and application. Loved the scientific evidence about how stories connect with us on a biochemical level. How they affect our dopamine and oxytocin. How we love to lose ourselves in amazing stories. How they build anticipation. How we can weave them in conversation. Recommend this book for anyone who enjoys stories, and would like to learn how to tell better ones.

[Briana Kelly · Rating 3 out of 5]

Likes: Useful tips on how to tell a story well and ensure it leaves an impact
Dislikes: Nothing surprising, new or different
Recommend For: Toastmasters or anyone working on improving their public speaking and story telling skills

[Jacob Coldwell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Well thought out. Good blend of explanation versus entertainment to help uncover the hidden simplicity of storytelling. Very easy to read but more importantly get a plan to tell good stories.

[R.Z. · Rating 2 out of 5]

In my opinion, this was so much hype about the value of storytelling, that I admit that I didn't finish reading it. Maybe, at some point, the author got around to actually writing about the techniques of storytelling, but I just didn't have the patience to wait for it.

[Tara Brabazon · Rating 2 out of 5]

This is a well written book with very straight forward content. There are no surprises or innovations here. But if you are interested in how to shape stories for business, then this book is short, sharp and clear.

[Dean and Emily Chao · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book with practice

This is one of a few books I've read on storytelling. What sets this one apart is the practice at the end of each section. The author offers very practical details, and I especially appreciate how they tie storytelling to our brains hemistey.

[edward john gibson]

Stories move people

The ability to tell stories can be a powerful tool to help people. This book covers how to tell stories that teach, council, educate and entertain all at the same time. A good how to guide.

[Kerry]

Entertaining and Useful

This is an authoring pair that practises what they preach! Thanks for this resource on behalf of my future audiences!

[Anandh Sundar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Nice book on how to draft stories

A good book on how to construct everyday experiences into stories and how to engage the audience to act and do actions

[Loladc16 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent!!!

Truly enjoyed the read. This is my first approach to storytelling. Easy to follow, actionable steps in order to develop such a great skill to have.
Thank you!

[John DeRosa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Probably should rate this book a 1/2 star higher or more. Provides practical advice delivered in a meaningful way

[Bret Legg · Rating 4 out of 5]

A good read that covers both the basics of how to tell a good story, but also why storytelling is so important.

[Robert Blondet · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

Excellent book on how to master storytelling using your experiences or other's people experiences to impact them in your event, lecture or presentation.

[Moraima · Rating 5 out of 5]

It gives some tips on how to build stories, it's a short and easy to read book to start in Storytelling.

[Eric Girard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mark is a natural storyteller and a heck of a nice guy in person. I've incorporated his tips into my own facilitation and podcasting style.

[jjuan Hakeem · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of tangible things you can put in place to improve your storytelling. Not mad I read it. Maybe one to revisit during presentation and speeches.

[Carlo Martinello · Rating 4 out of 5]

good book.
I would have prefer a more schematic way of presenting the stuff, however I really liked as a start.