The #1 Reason Your Story Falls Flat

The Anatomy of a Winning Story – Part 1: Stakes

Your story isn't falling flat because it's boring.
It's falling flat because nothing's at stake.

Not for your audience.
And—if we're honest—maybe not for you either.

Here’s what I’ve learned after watching hundreds of stories at What’s Your Story Slam:

That cost is what makes it memorable. Sticky. Human.

But this is where most people go wrong:

They polish their story until it sounds clean. Clever. Maybe even funny.
But no one leans in. No one remembers.
And definitely—no one is moved.

So they think:

I get it. I’ve coached hundreds through this exact moment.
And here’s what I tell them:

🎯 Why Some Stories Hit and Others Don’t

Here’s the test:
If you had nothing to lose in the moment…
Your audience has nothing to feel either.

Because we don’t follow bullet points.
We follow belief.
And belief only lands when there’s vulnerability. Tension. Risk.

💥 Let Me Show You

These are real WYSS winning stories. Notice the stakes:

🟣 Three months before her wedding, she turns to her fiancé at a cliff’s edge and says:

🟣 A man faints at the sight of his newborn’s placenta—after swearing he’d never enter the delivery room.
Everyone laughed and cried. Not about blood. About showing up, ready or not.

🟣 A stranger named Roshan helps someone wade through flooded Mumbai streets.
You could hear a pin drop. Not just survival, but the moment a place became home.

See the pattern?
These aren’t about plot twists.
They’re about emotional risk.
Not life-or-death—but identity-defining.

💡 Why This Matters for You

You don’t need trauma or theatrics.
But if your story’s going to land, it needs to cost you something emotionally.

🧪 Your 60-Second Story Audit

Take that “interesting” story you usually tell.
Now ask:

– What was I actually terrified of losing?
– What belief about myself was being tested?
– If I’d chosen differently, who would I be today?

That fear? That test? That moment of truth?

👉 That’s your real story.

If you can’t answer these yet—you’re not telling the real story. Yet.

❤️ You’re Not Boring. You’re Just Playing It Safe.

And I get why.
Telling the real story takes guts.

But that’s what makes us root for you.

Not your grammar.
Not your slides.
Not your LinkedIn formatting.

🎤 What’s Next?

This is Part 1 of The Anatomy of a Winning Story—a monthly deep dive I’ll be sharing every first Tuesday.

Coming in September:
Part 2 – Structure
Why your story feels like a ramble (and how to fix it).

If you want it delivered straight to your inbox, stay subscribed.

🗓️ Upcoming Events

📚 Seed to Stage – August 16–17
The storytelling intensive that changes how you show up.

Take one real story—from messy idea to stage-ready clarity.
Walk away with a narrative that positions you for influence, visibility, and impact.

👉 Yes—I want to tell my story better

🎭 Grace Under Fire – August 31
An applied improv workshop to train your presence under pressure.

Think faster. Speak bolder. Handle the unexpected with confidence.

🕛 Early bird pricing ends August 9 at midnight.

🎤 What’s Your Story Slam: The Great Escape – September 9
Real people. Real stories. One unforgettable night.

Laugh. Cry. Vote. Connect.
Come experience the storytelling show that sells out every time.

🕛 Early bird pricing ends August 12 at midnight.

💡 Bonus:
Got a story that’s been sitting in your head?
Reply to this email and tell me what it is.
The first 2 replies that show real potential get the early bird rate for Seed to Stage.

Big Hugs,
Anna