60 Seconds for Story Prompt Friday: The Power of Telling Your Stories Out Loud

Hello to you listening in Victoria, BC, CanadaLand!Coming to you from Whidbey Island, Washington this is Stories From Women Who Walk with 60 Seconds (and a bit more for a change up) for Story Prompt Friday and your host, Diane Wyzga.My friend Michelle asked me something that made me stop and think. She said, "You always end Story Prompt Friday with 'Write that story!' But you believe in the music of the spoken word - telling stories out loud - why not say that?Michelle knows me well.Here's the thing about our voices - they carry magic that our fingers can't capture. When you write your story, you're having a conversation with yourself. It’s a lovely and necessary place to begin. But when you speak your story out loud, something different happens. Something powerful.Your voice carries the rhythm of your heartbeat. It holds the catch in your throat when you remember something tender. It speeds up when you get excited and slows down when the moment matters most. These aren't just sounds - they're the music of your experience.Think about the last time someone told you a story that made you lean in closer. Was it their words alone? Or was it the way their voice dropped to an intimate whisper? The way they paused right before the surprise? The way their whole face lit up when they got to the good part?When you tell your story out loud, you're not just sharing information. You're sharing yourself. Your voice carries your personality, your emotions, your truth in ways that words on a page simply cannot.Here's what I've learned in thirty years of teaching people to tell their stories: most of us have forgotten how powerful our voices are. We text instead of call. We email instead of visit. We've become quiet.Your story needs your voice. It needs the way you say certain words. It needs your pauses, your emphasis, your breath. These aren't extras - they're essential story ingredients.When you stand up and tell your story, you're claiming space in the world. You're saying, "This happened. This matters. I matter." That's not just storytelling - that's courage.And here's the magical surprise: when you tell your story out loud, you hear it differently than when you write it. You discover new meanings. You find the parts that will move your listeners. You learn which moments need more time and which ones can move faster.Your voice teaches you about your own story.Your stories are waiting for the full power of your voice. They're waiting for the music of the spoken word only you can make.So yes, write your stories. But don't stop there. Find someone to tell them to, a loved one, an animal companion, even to yourself as you’re walking outside or working in your garden. That’s where I practice! What’s important is that you have a story to share.Give others that gift. Give yourself that gift. If you need a hand up I can help. Email me at [email protected] to arrange for a no obligation Discovery Call or reach out to me ("Wyzga on Words") on Substack. I’d love the opportunity to work with you!  Story Prompt: Starting now, tell your story out loud!You're always welcome: "Come for the stories - Stay for the magic!" Speaking of magic, I hope you’ll subscribe, share a 5-star rating and nice review on your social media or podcast channel of choice, bring your friends and rellies, and join us! You will have wonderful company as we continue to walk our lives together. Be sure to stop by my Quarter Moon Story Arts website, check out the Communication & Story Services, arrange a no-obligation Discovery Call, and stay current with me as "Wyzga on Words" on Substack.Stories From Women Who Walk Production TeamPodcaster: Diane F Wyzga & Quarter Moon Story ArtsMusic: Mer’s Waltz from Crossing the Waters by Steve Schuch & Night Heron MusicALL content and image © 2019 to Present Quarter Moon Story Arts. All rights reserved.