@mikeleake There's a fine line between using it well and dragging the story out. It can be infuriating when all it does is double the length of the story. Maybe I'm just desensitized to it otherwise.
And you're spot on about making it your own.
@mikeleake My thought is that the question sparks curiosity in the listener. You're not only telling them the answer but the right question to ask. When you phrase it that way what happens mentally? They ask the question with you. Then you can work towards satisfying that curiosity.
@mikeleake I grew up and now pastor in the Midwest, and the question makes sense to me. Almost every good conversational storyteller around here will do the same thing. I even started incorporating it into my preaching and I'll ask "so why does Paul say..." instead of "Paul says."
@MrEasyStreet If we are talking hypotheticals, we get in at 4 and upset Alabama, ND knocks off Clemson, and we cap the last game of the season avenging the first.