Recently I watched a Ted talk by Matthew Dicks. He’s a masterful storyteller and his Homework for Life changed my perspective on writing and storytelling. His advice for finding stories is powerful and simple. He challenges us to take five minutes at the end of each night to really think about the day and write down the most story worthy moment: “When you start to look for stories in your life, you suddenly have stories well up”. He suggests that we ask ourselves:
Taking the time to really contemplate my day and find something story worthy has made me pay more attention to each moment. My Life’s Homework document contains thoughts like:
Don’t hesitate. Listen to Matthew Dicks Ted Talk and and take 5 minutes a day to contemplate your life and find the stories. What helps you discover stories in your life? Kirsti Call is a homeschooling mom of five. Her debut picture book, The Raindrop Who Couldn't Fall, came out in 2013 with Character Publishing. Her family band, Calling Out, plays songs written by her children. She contributes to Writer's Rumpus and co-coordinates Reading for Research Month, a challenge for picture book writers who use mentor texts to improve their writing skills. If you visit her house, you’ll likely find her reading or writing. You can find out more about her at www.kirsticall.com.
8 Comments
Kirstine E. Call
6/15/2016 09:53:30 am
Yes! I think it's really helpful.
Reply
audrey couloumbis
6/15/2016 07:26:15 pm
thank you kirstie, i love matthew dicks, and great to get this opp to listen to him speak. thankyou.
Reply
6/16/2016 05:17:04 am
This is wonderful- so simple yet so important. Like a lifelong PiBoIdMo!!!
Reply
6/16/2016 07:45:14 am
Thanks so much for the kind words, Kirsti! That means a lot. So happy that your Homework for Life is already yielding fruit! Best of luck with it and all of your endeavors!
Reply
Kirstine E. Call
6/16/2016 11:19:42 am
Thanks Matthew! My husband and I are both doing this and it's really made us feel more present in addition to helping me with my writing too!
Reply
6/16/2016 07:45:51 am
Thanks so much for the kind words, Kirsti! That means a lot. So happy that your Homework for Life is already yielding fruit! Best of luck with it and all of your endeavors! Looks like you're accomplishing a lot!
Reply
Angie Quantrell
6/16/2016 07:47:43 am
Great tip! Needing some inspiration right now, so this is perfect. :) Thanks!
Reply
Leave a Reply. |
Archives
January 2019
Categories
All
|