They loved it so much, that after I left, they made it once a week! And each week, they made it the very same way. Steak, peas and rice; no substitutions ... no changes. There's nothing intrinsically wrong with that, but perhaps there is another metaphor here for storytelling.

Most of the time, especially when starting out, we tell a story, like having a piece of chicken, a piece of steak, a slice of ham, etc. No appetizer, no vegetables, no desert. As we progress, we learn how to add a small appetizer, a short intro that "sets the stage" or the mood for our story (read my tip from 11/24/15)

But what about changing up the entire dish? Perhaps sauté with a different spice; and a different side vegetable, quinoa instead of potatoes? A sweet desert like ice cream, or a savory ending, like a cheese plate? Get out of the rut of steak, peas and rice, make some small changes and spice things up a bit. Always remember that you must serve up food (and stories) that YOU like, and have a pretty good idea that your guests (or audience) will like too. And, oh yeah, make sure you've tested (practiced) your new recipe!

So ... instead of scrambled eggs with bacon ... try a little zucchini on the side!