The Thriving Writers Show

Ever find yourself saying, “if I had more talent, more connections, and more money, what wouldn’t I do?”

What are you doing now?

You’re creating art. You don’t need money to do that. You need generosity. Create something that touches people. Then share it.

You’ll also be the genius we know you can be.

I remember it like it was yesterday. My uncle, a high-level corporate executive at the time, told me,

“Frank, you are an excellent writer. You really have a gift.”

No words have meant as much to me as an artist. They painted pictures of future success I could see, feel, and experience like it was not only possible, it was possible right now. Fear was irrelevant. Failure seemed impossible. These words, uttered in a moment of emotional intensity, burned into my memory and still drive me forward today.

Can you remember a moment like this in your artistic development? If not, let me offer one to consider. If anyone has ever liked your work and told you so, that’s a moment you can cling to. If you’ve received lots of views and comments on a blog post or a book, call that a win. Write it down if you’re afraid you’ll forget. Take time to recall the sights, the sounds, your feelings, and any other sense you can apply to that moment. Those ingredients will serve as mental glue to keep this memory from slipping away into the abyss of criticism we all face. And most importantly, it will give you perspective when you feel like calling your work garbage.

Share your moment here! I’d love to celebrate with you.

What does it mean to empower someone with your writing?

First, it means you enable them to do something they’ve been hoping for. We read blog posts because we’re looking for an escape, to improve our lives, or to learn something new. All these are inseparably tied to our hopes.

Second, you empower people when you inspire them to do something. Call it motivation if you will. What you’re really doing is changing someone’s believe in what is possible. When we see that we can, we will do what it takes to make that vision real.

Third, once you’ve done that, show them how. We will take steps that lead to a particular destination. Proven step increase our success by removing at least some of the trial and error anything new or big requires.

You write to lift people. Now you’ve got the tools to do it. If you succeed, your readers will let you know.

Fall has come early to my home.

The first sign is leaves falling in my front yard, on my driveway, and on the roof of my house.

Life goes in cycles. What matters now and is pleasing to our senses will one day lose its luster and die. The same goes for our creative growth. What works today may not work tomorrow. We’re ever evolving as time goes by. We learn more and become responsible to put our new knowledge into our art. To do that, we’ve got to let our old understandings turn loose and die, just like autumn leaves.

What makes it hard is that some of what we cling to is still beautiful.

What can you drop to move to your next season?

The other day I came across the idea of becoming a more FEROCIOUS presenter.

I immediately thought of those late night infomercial pitchmen with promises of quick and easy riches in real estate or running tiny classified ads. Or those blenders that can demolish golf balls and iPhones. You know, interruption marketing for insomniacs who can’t turn off their televisions.

Is this what Seth Godin meant by making a ruckus?

Not at all.

It means you tell a better story. Your story. The one that has the power to lift people out of their problems and onto a higher plane. It’s that narrative that says, “You matter to me, and here’s why.”

You create valuable content when you link your strengths with other people’s desires. Use your power to give others the hope their hearts long for. Be ferocious about that, and we’ll follow you anywhere.

Then you’ll make a ruckus that makes a difference.

Writing is music. It’s a chance for my soul to communicate emotionally with yours. And we can make that connection regardless of time and space. When someone’s words reach someone else’s heart, magic is made.

This takes time, care, and intention. It’s not a cost, though. It’s an investment in making a difference.
How will you make music with your words?

Writing is music. It’s a chance for my soul to communicate emotionally with yours. And we can make that connection regardless of time and space. When someone’s words reach someone else’s heart, magic is made.

This takes time, care, and intention. It’s not a cost, though. It’s an investment in making a difference.

How will you make music with your words?

We are a smartphone culture.

It doesn’t matter how old or young you are. 95% of Americans own some kind of cellphone. 77% have smartphones.

The more educated you are, the more likely you are to have a smartphone. 83% use them to Internet; 89% of them do so daily. A quarter of those folks are online all the time.

We’ve forgotten what’s it like to be bored.

I didn’t have a cellphone, smart or otherwise, until I was an adult. When I’d get stuck at the doctor’s office, I was at the mercy of the magazines. When I’d scanned all those, I’d have to stare at the walls.

There’s a hidden blessing in boredom. It gives you time to think - time you’d never have when you’re staring at your phone.

I suppose it’s ironic that I’m using a smartphone to write this.

How have smartphones changed your life? Do you use them to write, edit photos, or post on social media? What’s it like to have a supercomputer in your pocket?

You’ve spent the first years of your life in school. While you were there you learned to play by the rules, fit in, and not make a ruckus.

Then real life hits you.
The tests you take don’t have textbook answers. Your good report cards don’t guarantee you’ll be a star. And the promise of a good life depends on you, not your employer.
Your education doesn’t end when they hand you your diploma. You’ve just stepped into a new school - the School of Life. Your assignment is to test and use what you’ve learned, ask and answer the right questions, and leave things better than you found them.
How will you use what you’ve learned?

You’ve spent the first years of your life in school. While you were there you learned to play by the rules, fit in, and not make a ruckus.

Then real life hits you.

The tests you take don’t have textbook answers. Your good report cards don’t guarantee you’ll be a star. And the promise of a good life depends on you, not your employer.

Your education doesn’t end when they hand you your diploma. You’ve just stepped into a new school - the School of Life. Your assignment is to test and use what you’ve learned, ask and answer the right questions, and leave things better than you found them.

How will you use what you’ve learned?

Motivational speakers say you can do anything you set your mind to.

It’s true.

There is one catch, though.

You can’t do everything.

What’s the best way you can spend your time?