“After nourishment, shelter and companionship, stories are the thing we need most in the world.”
― Philip Pullman

As World Storytelling Day approaches, I’ve been thinking about the importance of stories. We all have stories to tell, whether they’re fictional or personal. And each one has unmeasurable value.

Agatha Christie’s gripping murder mysteries shaped the mystery genre.  Maya Angelou’s memoirs revolutionized and expanded the way we tell our own stories. J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy captivated us in a story of imaginative languages and peoples.

No matter what your story is, you should write it. But don’t let the fear of writing hold you back.

Here are a few helpful resources:

• On Writing: A Memoir of the Craft by Stephen King
• The Art of Memoir by Mary Karr
• Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life by Anne Lamott
• Story Genius by Lisa Cron

And if you want to read a book with a good story, here are some recommendations:

• Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte
• The Firm by John Grisham
• The Secret History by Donna Tartt
• A Town Like Alice by Neville Shute

Enjoy!