It’s always the fine details that bring a story to life, like someone’s scent, or the way a book feels in your hand. Think about the way people tell children stories, and you’re getting close to the spirit of a good tale. It’s so much easier to see Sebastian in your mind’s eye if you know that he was golden, for instance. There is a story about a

They’ll feel that certain topics are off limits, or they’ll feel that they don’t want to bring anything up because they’ll be judged and rejected.

Flowing conversations involve a frictionless back and forth. This doesn’t happen when you continually ask questions that stop people in their tracks, make them dig deep, and take them out of the present.

that meant letting go of my own self-consciousness and any agenda I had coming into the interaction, since there was no guarantee it would ever come up, and I had to work with what the other person gave me.

“So, I guess that’s where the exit is.” “You must be really great at tennis.” “Sounds like it wasn’t a very fun party.” “You must have hated that.” “I bet you’re a big foodie.”

Rule of Improv Comedy: Provide specific details for people to relate to, react to, and run with.

make it your goal to first and foremost create a playful and fun atmosphere within your conversations, avoiding interview mode and small talk,

you don’t actually need to know much about the topics presented; you just have to be able to give a general statement, which is far easier.

Another important reason you should fill your answers with details is that the way the other person reacts will often reveal something about them.