Ironclad truisms..

1. All stories have a beginning middle and end, like a piece of music. The end is never "that's my story" but the beginning can be "let me tell you a story."

2. Every word you say pushes the story forward. if it's there to add color, background, etc, it should be one sentence and quickly return to the main thrust of the story. Do not get caught up in side points, asides, pauses for jokes.

A story is a journey. It must go somewhere. No one travels looking backward.

3. When constructing a story, always bear in mind "why is someone listening to me? What are they supposed to get out it" If you can't answer that, you are telling a lousy story. Attention is a precious commodity. Do not spend it poorly.

4. What is the message you're trying to bring home? Please laugh? Please buy my product? Here's the lesson I learned? A story must serve its message but it must be a tale unto itself. Otherwise is a parable. a sermon or a commercial, not a story.

Finally, stories do not overstay their welcome. They hold a precious moment and vanish. Tell yours and sit down.