The Fantasy of a Perfect Setup to Write
Do you ever see a writer in a film or television show and think “If only I had that setup, I could write a bestseller”? It’s so easy to get caught up in the idea there’s a perfect place, desk, pen, situation that would change everything for our writing. But it’s a...
Using Stories to Win Hearts (and Customers) for Your Business
Picture this: A local furniture maker posts a photo of a wonky bookcase that leans to the side and looks on the verge of falling down with the caption “Our first attempt at building furniture in 2016. Swipe to see our award-winning furniture today.” Which...
How Storytelling Creates Emotional Connections in Business
The Super Bowl always comes with great ads and questionable ones (I’m looking at you Seal). This year was no exception. But the ad that stood out the most came before the game. Storytelling isn’t just for filmmakers (though in this case it helped when a filmmaker got...
Finding the Story Even When It Doesn’t Feel Like There Is One
There’s a story even when it doesn’t feel like there is. I’ve worked with many clients who ask content but warn there is no story to tell, just facts. In nearly every case, they are wrong. There’s always a story lurking among the data. It may not be obvious or...
Stop Confusing Your Audience: How to Write Clearly in Any Business Setting
Clarity in writing is a game-changer in business. Whether you’re drafting an email, creating a proposal, or crafting marketing content, clear communication helps you build trust, avoid misunderstandings, and achieve your goals faster. Yet, writing clearly isn’t always...
Building a Story Bank: Collect, Organize, and Use Stories with Ease
Stories are your most powerful tool as a business owner and content creator. They are the key to connection and trust—essential ingredients in any business. But harnessing that power consistently requires organization and strategy, which is where a story bank comes...
The Case for Stories
Why Stories? Our brains are wired for stories. It’s how we connect, relate, and remember. Even when there is no story, our brains will conjure one. We take random facts and create narratives subconsciously to make sense of what we find. It’s how our brains work. We...
How Does Neuroscience Work in Stories?
The short answer is that neuroscience works in stories automatically. It happens in our subconscious (at least 95% of all decisions are made in the subconscious). Empathy does too. Humans are fascinating creatures. We process life, memories, emotions, and experiences...
Writing Through Trauma
Life doesn’t always go to plan. My father always insisted that the best stories came from times that were not planned, those moments or events that changed the course. No one shares anecdotes about things that turn out perfectly. Those stories would be far too boring....
Special Notice for Subscribers
Dear Friend, Remember me? I know it’s been a while since you’ve heard from Figments & Fables and I apologize for that. Thank you so much for supporting Figments & Fables, especially during my extended sabbatical. I’m humbled so many of you remained...
The Science of Story
Stories are powerful. We all want to know what happened next, how it felt to stare down danger or fall in love or fail spectacularly. It’s exactly those stories that help us connect and feel.
This blog could be like any other out there, sharing the power of story. But what happens if I tell you why stories matter to me? What if I let you into one of my stories before I give you facts on why stories work? Let’s see.