Public Speaking (Part 1): Sharing Your Story – How to Craft for the Stage

Ask an Expert: Public Speaking for Catholic Authors: A Practical Three-Part Series

Series Overview
In this practical three-part series for the Catholic Writers Guild, Scott Hammerle draws from his decades of experience, from Disney stage performances in front of thousands to corporate leadership and retreat speaking, to help writers move their stories from the page to the platform. You’ll learn how to craft compelling talks that connect with live audiences, command the stage with confidence, and how Scott built a sustainable speaking business based on his book, “Lessons from the Castle.”

Key topics include:
• Products and Packaging - The pros and cons of off-the-shelf versus custom offerings, plus smart ways to organize and sell your content.
• Pre-Event Meetings - What to expect and accomplish in each one for better sales, preparation, and on-site execution.
• Getting Started - Finding practice opportunities, responding to calls for speakers, building strong video assets, and the practical steps that take you from beginner to in-demand.

These sessions are designed to be immediately actionable for Catholic writers who feel called to share their stories more widely, whether in parishes, conferences, retreats, or the broader marketplace.

Part 1: Sharing Your Story – How to Craft for the Stage
Writing for the stage is different from writing for the page. A live audience brings eyes, ears, hearts, and real-time interpretation into the room, so your message must be built to land powerfully in that environment.
In this opening session, Scott teaches the core elements of effective stage storytelling:
• What Did They Say? Techniques to make your core message stick long after the applause fades.
• Introductions Done Well – How to set the stage and capture attention from the first thirty seconds.
• Building the Arc – Using emotion intentionally so your talk flows naturally and leaves the audience moved and inspired.