Max and I have talked about using the 5 elements to build successful stories. Creating a story is like making a stew. The elements need to be balanced. Too much fire and the stew is burned. Not enough fire and the stew is cold and indigestible.

When I started my coaching business FirstVoice ten years ago, I worked with authors, helping them improve their pitch stories to the media. I was invited to attend a large book fair where many authors were speaking. My intention was to pick up a few new clients by critiquing their talk. I was sure that all the authors would be dying to get my comments.

After I heard one struggling author finishing her short talk, I bolted up to the front of the room with her book in hand. She smiled up at me and reached out to sign my book. I said I’m not here for that. Instead, I gave her detail after detail of what she did wrong. Her smile turned to the look of a sad little girl. I saw her deflate yet I was too passionate to stop. She nodded meekly at my comments. I thrust my card into her hands and suggested that if she ever wanted to get better she should call.

Boy I felt great. I was filled with a religious zeal. I knew I was making an impact. Now all I had to do was wait. She would be calling soon.
She never spoke to me again. On reflection I was lucky to have left the convention without being attacked. I had passion and fire in the belly. But I forgot about listening to see if my potential client wanted to hear my story.