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Stories Are How We Interact with the World

I read. A lot.

That’s hundreds of thousands of words each year that I consume. Want to know what keeps me scrolling down or flipping pages?

Stories.

(And no, I don’t only read fiction! I mostly read non-fiction, actually.)

What I’ve discovered through my years of working with non-fiction authors is that very few actually understand the power of story – and know how to harness that power to keep readers turning pages, to make the messages sink in, to make their words have significance and impact.

Stories are how we interact with the world – not just the 1, 2, 3 of plot but the emotion that a well-crafted story can invoke. So then why, for heaven’s sake, aren’t more non-fiction writer’s getting on board with story?

Stories are how we interact with the world. Are you telling stories in your writing? Click To Tweet

Earlier this year, I was working with a client on a fascinating project about inner wisdom – how to listen to it, how to let it guide you. Fascinating and much-needed topic that was being addressed in ways I’d never seen before.


And it was dry-as-dust boring.

It wasn’t that it was written using fancy language but that there was nothing that would help me move the principles and exercises from the vague into the concrete. I had nothing to anchor into – no real-world examples, no anecdotes, no STORY. There was nothing in the writing that would invoke my emotions – and thus move the reading from merely interesting to applicable.

The author and I went back and forth on that – she thought that the “technical” descriptions were enough. I kept saying that I could READ it but not understand it. I had no way of deciding if it was relatable to my own life – and if it was, how to make any changes.

We parted ways with the author agreeing to add in more stories. Whew.

I’m a firm believer that you can NEVER have too many stories. You can’t engage the reader’s emotions too much. This is where fiction has so much to teach non-fiction.

Your non-fiction book can NEVER have too many stories! Help your reader stay engaged. Tell a story! Click To Tweet

If I asked you right now to tell me about your favorite novel, you’ll tell me an abbreviated version of the plot – the story. You’d also, without even realizing it, tell me how the main character changes, grows, evolves over the course of the book. Because that change and growth is powerful – and relatable to anyone older than 10!

So why aren’t you using these tools from fiction – story, emotion, tension, pacing, plot – in your non-fiction works?

Frankly, I think it’s because you don’t know how. You might remember some of those terms from a high school or college English class but to know that they’re not only relatable but required in your book?

Yep, you don’t realize you need to make the connection. Or you can make the logical connection but have no clue how to actually create that on the page. But it’s needed – and easier than you think.

It starts when you join me in “Storytelling for Non-Fiction Authors: Learn to Write Captivating, Emotion-Invoking Stories that Keep Your Reader Turning Pages and Get Your Message Across” which I’ll be teaching LIVE – starting November 8.

Enroll Here

  • After our five weeks of live training together, you will have the skills to effectively share your story – so that your reader is engaged, learning, and above all, REMEMBERS the principles you’re teaching.
  • You’ll no longer be struggling to come up with “examples” – you’ll know when to use a story and how to craft it.
  • You know exactly how to create emotions in your reader – no need to increase the drama or trauma.
  • You will know that your writing isn’t boring, pedantic, or too heavy. Your reader will keep turning pages.
  • You know your message is getting across – so you can help the people you’re meant to help.

Enroll Here >>> Your Book Needs Stories

Don’t wait! I know it’s so EASY to make this one more thing you have to “think about” or plan to do later. Except you’ll forget (I do!) And then when you go back… the early bird expired. Or the course is full.

To help you make the decision, I’m also offering a great Early Bird Bonus to the first 10 authors who enroll. You’ll join me for a half-day virtual storytelling retreat to get my eyes on your writing. That’s a $997 value RIGHT THERE on TOP of the other amazing bonuses you get when you enroll.

So enroll right now.

 

Kim Galloway
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