How “Homework for Life” Can Change How You See Your Story

Book Review: Storyworthy by Matthew Dicks

A practical and heart-led guide to finding, shaping, and sharing the stories that matter

In Storyworthy, Matthew Dicks offers something rare among books on storytelling. Rather than focusing on performance or charisma, he brings storytelling back to something much more human. This is a book about noticing. About paying attention to the moments in our daily lives that hold meaning, even if they seem small at first. Whether you are a performer, teacher, therapist, or someone who simply wants to connect more deeply, Storyworthy shows you how to find your stories and tell them well.

What the book promises

The book promises to teach readers how to identify and craft personal stories that resonate. Dicks writes with the belief that everyone has storyworthy moments. His aim is to help readers notice those moments, understand why they matter, and communicate them clearly. The promise is not that you will become a professional storyteller. It is that you will learn to see your life with new eyes and share it with more confidence and purpose.

At its heart, Storyworthy is about connection. It invites the reader to explore not only how to tell a good story, but why personal stories matter in relationships, classrooms, communities, and everyday conversation.

What the book delivers

The book is divided into three parts: how to find your stories, how to craft them, and how to tell them. Dicks draws from his years as a competitive storyteller and educator, but keeps the tone accessible. His most impactful contribution is a daily practice he calls “Homework for Life.” In this exercise, you write down one moment from each day that felt meaningful. Over time, this practice becomes a way to gather stories, reflect more deeply, and live with greater presence.

Dicks offers clear guidance on what makes a story compelling. He introduces concepts like the “Five Second Moment,” where something fundamentally changes for the storyteller, and the “But and Therefore” structure, which helps shape a narrative. Each idea is explained with examples, many drawn from his own experience.

Throughout the book, Dicks includes personal stories that model the techniques he teaches. These stories are honest, often humorous, and always emotionally grounded. He shows how vulnerability, clarity, and structure work together to create resonance.

Style and structure

Dicks writes in a conversational, engaging tone. His humour is self-aware, and he does not present himself as a flawless expert. Instead, he shares mistakes, missteps, and hard-earned insights that make his voice relatable. His style is warm and direct. The book feels like a coaching session with someone who knows what he is doing, but also remembers what it feels like to be unsure.

The structure is clean and well-paced. Chapters are short, with focused topics and actionable takeaways. Each section builds on the last, guiding the reader from idea to application. The book flows naturally, and it is easy to read in small doses or all at once. The inclusion of “Story Breaks,” where Dicks shares stories from the stage, adds texture and gives readers a chance to see the concepts in practice.

Although the book is about storytelling, it reads more like a conversation than a performance. This makes it approachable, even for those who are new to storytelling or hesitant to share personal experiences.

Where the book shines

The book shines in its generosity. Dicks wants the reader to succeed, and he gives them the tools to do so. He does not rely on vague inspiration. Instead, he offers real techniques, thoughtful examples, and a daily practice that can change the way you see your life.

His emphasis on ordinary moments is especially powerful. Dicks insists that you do not need a dramatic or painful past to tell meaningful stories. What matters is the shift in perspective. A moment when something changed. A decision, a realization, a feeling that lingered. These are the moments that make a story worthy, and they are accessible to everyone.

The book also excels in its emotional honesty. Dicks does not shy away from discussing shame, embarrassment, or regret. But he does so with care. He helps the reader understand how to share hard truths without oversharing, and how to invite connection rather than discomfort. This section alone could be useful for therapists, facilitators, and others who work with vulnerability and storytelling.

Light limitations

The book is rooted in Dicks’s own experiences with live storytelling events such as The Moth. Readers who are unfamiliar with that format may need to translate some of his suggestions for different settings. For example, storytelling in a business or therapeutic context may require slightly different pacing or tone than storytelling on stage.

At times, the pace of new concepts feels fast. Dicks introduces multiple techniques across short chapters, and readers who are completely new to the craft may want to pause and revisit earlier sections. The book could benefit from a summary section or a visual map of key ideas.

Lastly, some of the examples are focused on performance, which may feel less relevant for readers more interested in journaling, memoir writing, or one-on-one connection. That said, the underlying techniques are widely applicable, and Dicks repeatedly reminds the reader that storytelling is for everyone, not just performers.

Final thoughts

Storyworthy is a generous and practical guide for anyone who wants to find meaning in their own life and share it with others. Matthew Dicks writes with clarity, warmth, and a deep belief in the power of story to heal, connect, and inspire. He reminds us that storytelling is not about having a perfect past. It is about noticing what moved us, changed us, or opened something new in us.

For those who feel unsure about whether their life holds stories worth telling, this book is a quiet but steady yes. It shows you how to look more closely, trust what you find, and share it in a way that feels real.

Highly recommended for writers, educators, facilitators, therapists, and anyone interested in storytelling for connection.