Thank you Dan! I’m so glad I found you. I return to read your consistent message: “Find a way to share that feels authentic to who you are. That focuses on meaningful connections and experiences.” It helps me realign to how I want to write. When I get frustrated or overwhelmed or lost in the wilderness of gimmicks of how to get noticed—I return to this guiding light!
This is such a validating post, Dan. I've long been agonizing about how my interests and work don't necessarily fit in a tidy box. I've gotten to the point where I finally realized I just need to write what's on my heart and on my mind otherwise, it stymies my overall creativity. Regarding your question...Last fall, I attended a virtual book event featuring Margaret Atwood at the Kansas City Library. I wanted to see her in person, but her event sold out as fast as a Taylor Swift concert! The online event turned out to be just as good. Besides the writerly wisdom she shared, I appreciated her candor and her authenticity. Her fearlessness inspires me.
Thank you Christa! I was at a small publishing workshop years ago, and in walks Margaret Atwood, and just sits in the little group of 10 people I was in. No one said a word, but everyone’s eyes lit up like in amazement. She stayed awhile, then left as quietly as she arrived.
Wow!! I love the reaction of your group. It would have been hard not to pepper her with questions. But, she probably appreciated the chance to hang out with writers without people fawning over her.
Happy New Year, Dan. I have Two questions: Will the webinar be recorded for those who can't make it? And how often will you be offering your Mastermind group?
Happy New Year Maria! Yes, a recording of the workshop will be sent to anyone who registers. The Mastermind would typically be on a quarterly schedule. Thanks!
First, Dan, I LOVE The title and opening two paragraphs of today's post! Soooooo applicable. Thanks, as always, for your validation.
I am thrilled to hear you are resurrecting The Creative Shift Mastermind! I loved my time in your MM group years ago (maybe 3 or 4?) and it's great to see you are offering it again.
Regarding your photo, my 4 yo son is also into rocks, minerals, and gems right now!
But about the question of "being an experience," well, I have to say that I loved the quote about "show them you are a force." I guess when I read the word "force," it sounds drastic and a bit violent or bulldozing, maybe? But I get what it means. It means show up as you are, who you are, in any given moment. And I think I am leaning into that more and more, especially in my writing.
This was exactly what I needed to read today! Not to be weird or anything--but I'm pretty sure I owe you an extra fee for the therapy you're providing!! :) For anyone working on creative endeavors who is reading this note here on Substack--if you haven't yet discovered the encouragement and wisdom of Dan Blank--you need to subscribe!!
As always, such good advice. Every person just starting their writing or artistic career should read this because it reassures them. They can relax and be themselves because the rest of the world wants their uniqueness, not them trying to be like others or hop on every marketing trend or gimmick out there. Thanks, Dan.
Thank you! I always understood the necessity for seeing authors as brands, but I was never able to fully see myself this way. But, yes, I am an experience. People can visit the world with me as their guide.
Thank you for this affirming post! It is so easy to get sucked into the "productive content" vortex and forget to find the radical clarity you are talking about. I recently did an exercise in my writing group where we had to write and share our elevator pitches on our current projects - and it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. Distilling oneself from an experience to a tagline isn't easy.
I have been thinking a lot about something Jon M. Chu (director of the Wicked movie) said in an interview, "There is beauty in the temporary brilliant moment. We are always building, tearing down and rebuilding."
We are constantly changing and evolving. We have the agency to shift how we approach things and to change the genre we're writing. We have the agency to shift our "author brand" to what feels more authentic in a different stage of life.
In response to this: Tell me about a writer/artist/musician/performer/creator who helped create an experience that you were a part of that you always remembered -
In Jamaica, there’s a group of women who teach women confidence, to fight against domestic violence. I once attended a show they’d put on. It involved a set of skits. In between each skit, they held discussions with the audience. It was so grassroots and cool and interactive. It was simple yet so powerful!
Dan, I’m glad you’re bringing back your Mastermind sessions. I hope this continues as this is something I’ve long wanted to do, though am not in a good place right now to take advantage of this opportunity. I still have a long way to go on recovering from a health crisis. Please provide more details as you progress with the Mastermind group. Again, I hope you continue these in the future when I’ll be in a place to participate.
Love this post and thank you for writing it! I find that getting to discover new to me artists through NPR's Tiny Desk series somehow motivates me every time. Or at least the rush to create and share my own work.
Thank you Dan! I’m so glad I found you. I return to read your consistent message: “Find a way to share that feels authentic to who you are. That focuses on meaningful connections and experiences.” It helps me realign to how I want to write. When I get frustrated or overwhelmed or lost in the wilderness of gimmicks of how to get noticed—I return to this guiding light!
Thank you Ann!
This is such a validating post, Dan. I've long been agonizing about how my interests and work don't necessarily fit in a tidy box. I've gotten to the point where I finally realized I just need to write what's on my heart and on my mind otherwise, it stymies my overall creativity. Regarding your question...Last fall, I attended a virtual book event featuring Margaret Atwood at the Kansas City Library. I wanted to see her in person, but her event sold out as fast as a Taylor Swift concert! The online event turned out to be just as good. Besides the writerly wisdom she shared, I appreciated her candor and her authenticity. Her fearlessness inspires me.
Thank you Christa! I was at a small publishing workshop years ago, and in walks Margaret Atwood, and just sits in the little group of 10 people I was in. No one said a word, but everyone’s eyes lit up like in amazement. She stayed awhile, then left as quietly as she arrived.
Wow!! I love the reaction of your group. It would have been hard not to pepper her with questions. But, she probably appreciated the chance to hang out with writers without people fawning over her.
Happy New Year, Dan. I have Two questions: Will the webinar be recorded for those who can't make it? And how often will you be offering your Mastermind group?
Happy New Year Maria! Yes, a recording of the workshop will be sent to anyone who registers. The Mastermind would typically be on a quarterly schedule. Thanks!
First, Dan, I LOVE The title and opening two paragraphs of today's post! Soooooo applicable. Thanks, as always, for your validation.
I am thrilled to hear you are resurrecting The Creative Shift Mastermind! I loved my time in your MM group years ago (maybe 3 or 4?) and it's great to see you are offering it again.
Regarding your photo, my 4 yo son is also into rocks, minerals, and gems right now!
But about the question of "being an experience," well, I have to say that I loved the quote about "show them you are a force." I guess when I read the word "force," it sounds drastic and a bit violent or bulldozing, maybe? But I get what it means. It means show up as you are, who you are, in any given moment. And I think I am leaning into that more and more, especially in my writing.
Thank you Jeannie!!!
This was exactly what I needed to read today! Not to be weird or anything--but I'm pretty sure I owe you an extra fee for the therapy you're providing!! :) For anyone working on creative endeavors who is reading this note here on Substack--if you haven't yet discovered the encouragement and wisdom of Dan Blank--you need to subscribe!!
Aw, thank you Valerie!!!
As always, such good advice. Every person just starting their writing or artistic career should read this because it reassures them. They can relax and be themselves because the rest of the world wants their uniqueness, not them trying to be like others or hop on every marketing trend or gimmick out there. Thanks, Dan.
Thank you Christine!
“We are complicated and various people”- one of my favorite quotes (from Lee Smith’s memoir Dimestore)
Love that! Thanks Kim.
Thank you! I always understood the necessity for seeing authors as brands, but I was never able to fully see myself this way. But, yes, I am an experience. People can visit the world with me as their guide.
Thanks Claire!
Great post, as always, Dan! Also, I love the photo of younger Dan with all the zines ready to be made and delivered by bicycle!
Aw, thank you so much K.!!!
Thank you. Very helpful
Thank you for this affirming post! It is so easy to get sucked into the "productive content" vortex and forget to find the radical clarity you are talking about. I recently did an exercise in my writing group where we had to write and share our elevator pitches on our current projects - and it was much more difficult than I thought it would be. Distilling oneself from an experience to a tagline isn't easy.
I have been thinking a lot about something Jon M. Chu (director of the Wicked movie) said in an interview, "There is beauty in the temporary brilliant moment. We are always building, tearing down and rebuilding."
We are constantly changing and evolving. We have the agency to shift how we approach things and to change the genre we're writing. We have the agency to shift our "author brand" to what feels more authentic in a different stage of life.
Thank you Judith!
In response to this: Tell me about a writer/artist/musician/performer/creator who helped create an experience that you were a part of that you always remembered -
In Jamaica, there’s a group of women who teach women confidence, to fight against domestic violence. I once attended a show they’d put on. It involved a set of skits. In between each skit, they held discussions with the audience. It was so grassroots and cool and interactive. It was simple yet so powerful!
Thank you Neena!
This is beautiful Dan! Thank you so much and happy new year!
Thank you Antonia!
Someone shared this with me. Thank you so much for writing this. It was just what I needed to hear (in my head).
Aw, thank you Lisi-Tana!
Dan, I’m glad you’re bringing back your Mastermind sessions. I hope this continues as this is something I’ve long wanted to do, though am not in a good place right now to take advantage of this opportunity. I still have a long way to go on recovering from a health crisis. Please provide more details as you progress with the Mastermind group. Again, I hope you continue these in the future when I’ll be in a place to participate.
Thanks Bruce!
Love this post and thank you for writing it! I find that getting to discover new to me artists through NPR's Tiny Desk series somehow motivates me every time. Or at least the rush to create and share my own work.
Thanks Sarah!