Rothacker Reviews

Writers: How to Create

Ms. Writer, in a world of sameness, how can your work stand out; how can it be different?  According to Matt Mattus, Senior Director/Creative - Intellectual Development Property at Hasbro, you need to become a culture creator.

Matt recently wrote an article in the December isssue of HOW magazine titled: Become a Cultural Creator.  There is no available link to the article at this time, but I will say, this is one article worth the price of the magazine, which is available at most chain bookstores. 

To wet your appetite, I'll list Matt's top ten ways to become a cultural creator:

Have endless curiosity

Do research

Develop intellect

Be respectful

Gravitate to excellence

Develop expertise

Be interested in validity

Create fearlessly

Respect rarity

Be original

If as a writer, you would like people to connect with the meaning of your work, you should embrace Matt's guidelines!

According to Wikipedia the word culture comes from the latin word cultura, stemming from the word colere, and means to cultivate.

If you look at Matt's list, every single item takes hold of the verb cultivate and envelops it.  Take for instance curiosity.  If as a writer, you do not ooze curiosity, you are going through the motions.  As a matter of fact, you should lay your body down in a puddle so those who pack their lives to the brim with curiosity don't have to get their feet wet. To be curious is to take the gas cap off of the tank.  To cultivate is to fill er up...with the discovery of new things. 

With each different picture taken; with each different experienced lived; with each different entry in your writer's journal, you are nurturing, growing, improving, tending and fostering the grist for your creative mill. 

Even if someone were able to stoke their creative mill with exactly the same stuff as yours, the product would never be the same.  You know why...there isn't another you.  (my wife would leave the planet if there was another me :)  What comes out will always be different.  The key however, is to get the stuff into your mill and then give yourself a chance to be different.

Okay, put down your keyboard and slowly back away from the computer.  Good.  Now go out and pick up a copy of this magazine today!

Here is a little inexpensive something to help you in the process of cultivating:

Jack's Notebook

Jack's Notebook by Gregg Fraley

Do you remember when the World Series games were played in the afternoon?  Do you know what a young teenage boy did with a hollowed out book......on one of those October afternoons......while at school?  Why listened to the ballgame of course.  I, errrrr he had to trick the teachers into thinking he was studying.

Do you know what Gregg Fraley does by writing Jack's Notebook?  He spins a tale about Jack, a young man who is tired of the daily grind.  He wants a job that has meaning, that makes him jump out of bed and look forward to the day ahead.  Jack joins forces with Dreadlocks girl - Molly, and together they set forth upon a page-turning adventure in search of a new job for Jack.  One key to Jack's success is that he carries a notebook around and journals the journey.  Mr. Fraley however, does something else.  He tricks us. Just when we think we're being held spellbound by an interesting story, we're really being taught how to creatively solve problems.

CPS (Creative Problem Solving) was developed by master creative guru Alex Osborn and now retired professor, Dr. Sidney J. Parnes.  Gregg weaves his own version of CPS throughout Jack's adventure.  He also provides a reference guide to the process in the back of the book.

Gregg says to not get too up tight about processes and methods.  He breaks it down into basics.  Make a list and then make a choice.  One part about this I really, really like.  Do not judge your ideas while making your list.  This will stifle creativity and imagination.  Instead just get the ideas out of your head. I have found that once you've created your list, it's best to let it simmer and brew for a day before beginning to make choices.

This book was Smoked-n-Signed!

Pick up a copy of Jack's Notebook, pick up a notebook for yourself --- and let the journey begin!

Tampa Romance Authors / Writing

Do you have a soft and warm spot in your heart for Romance?  Can you, dear Tampa Bay neighbor, envision cuddling up with a good Romance novel in front of the fireplace...even though you only get to actually use that fireplace once a year?  Sure you can!  Can you envision yourself as the leading female character in that book?  You can do that too!  And why not?  Fantasy is therapy for the challenges we face in everyday life.

Girl yearns for guy.  But girl plays hard to get.  Guy starts suddenly slipping away.  Girl concocts mad scheme to win guy.  Girl gets taste of guy.  Sex involved.  Exquisite amenities cloak every scene. Guy begins to really dig girl.  More sex.  Guy suddenly kidnapped by bad guys.  Conflict sets in.  Girl saves Guy.  Mad, passionate sex involved.  Guy and Girl marry.  Happy ending. (my wife tells me in the real world of romance writing there is probably a little more sex involved :)

Did you ever wonder who writes these heart-throbbing, page-turning tales of love?  How would you like to meet Virginia, C.L., Elissa, Ann and LInnea?...a few accomplished and very successful authors.  You can.  And they'll even autograph one of their books for you!  Stop out Saturday, November 8th between 3:00 and 5:00 p.m., to the Barnes & Noble located in the Carrollwood neighborhood.

But that's not all!

If you buy a book at Barnes and Noble that day, you'll help the folks who help our sick children.  You'll be helping All Children's Hospital - Tampa Guild.  All that you have to do is mention this number to the cashier when you buy your books that day:  376236

Why not nurture that warm spot in your heart and help kids in need at the same time!!  See you there!

To the rest of my friends throughout the United States: Shop at ANY Barnes and Noble Nov.5 - Nov. 10 and a portion of your sale will be donated to All Children's Hospital Tampa Branch!  Just mention this number to the cashier that day:  376236 and you will be helping kids in need!

Rabbit Holes to Wonderland

How would you like to accompany me on a little magical learning adventure?  You would?  Most Excellent!  Let's go!

More Than Words

Why do you write?  What is inside that must come forward?  Is it to make a connection?  A connection to help?  And really, how do you know when you've made that connection?  The connection that stirs your soul.  You listen to feedback...

How did you feel after listening to and watching Judy Collins here?  What is your opinion of this performance?  Of course if we could write in a way similar to the way Judy and the Choir sing, we'd be pretty clear about that connection.

How do we do that?  How do we make that connection?  How, by pouring forth words, do we elicit that type of response? 

The fact is, we never know beforehand just what type of reactions our work will produce.  And really we shouldn't try to produce reactions.  We ought to just tell our story and allow our authenticity a chance to come out and play.

Don't become discouraged if people are not connecting with your stuff.  Look at it as if you were mining rocks - to get to gold.  You might not see gold, but if you don't move the rocks you never will.

Publix: Lessons From its Founder II

Publix has a marketing and  communication piece out titled: Lessons From Our Founder, The Publix Philosophy as Lived by George W. Jenkins.  It contains the following seven life and business lessons from Mr. George.  (dave's comments in italics).

(1) Be There - Mr. George could always be found out and about in the stores; talking to, listening to and working along side his associates.

One cannot effectively lead their company from an ivory tower.  Business reality happens on the street.  If that reality reaches leadership via multiple layers and filters it ceases to be reality.

(2) Giving is the Only Way to Get - Mr. George helped legions of people.  The brochure's anecdote tells of Mr. George lending a down payment for a car to an associate.

One cannot build a bank account of human relations by continuously making withdrawals.

(3) Invest in Others - Mr. George said, "One of the most important lessons I've learned in my business career is that no man puts together an organization on his own."

Dividends paid upon investment turns the wheels of business.

(4) Respect the Dignity of the Individual -Mr. George drives from Lakeland to Clearwater (FL), to tell an assistant manager that he did not get a recent opening for store manager in another store.  The assistant manager is touched by this thoughtful gesture.

For no other ulterior reasons...one should respect the dignity of others.  Period.

(5) The Customer is Queen (and King) - Mr. George tells a store manager there are two basic things to making his store successful.  First, take care of customers.  Second, take care of associates.

One can expect customers to return for business when they are taken care of.  If one takes care of associates, the associates will be able to take care of customers.  Do you then think that customers will return for more business?

(6) Prepare for Opportunity - Mr. George said, Publix is like a smorgasbord, with opportunity spread out for you.  Prepare yourself.  The opportunities are up for grabs."

If one does not prepare for the possibility of getting run over when they cross the street, they will.  Conversely, if one prepares to grab hold of opportunities, success is possible.

(7) Do the Right Thing -This one line from Mr. George might say it all, "Never let making a profit stand in the way of doing the right thing."

The foundation of one's success is built upon a lifetime succession of doing the right thing.

In the anecdote for Do the Right Thing, a supervisor coaches his manager (in the grocery world the supervisor is one layer of management north of manager); if the Publix philosophy is to perpetuate, it is each store manager's responsibility to see that it does.

The next time you stop in a Publix, I recommend that you pick up this brochure.  I believe that it is located in the general vicinity of the front door on a rack with other brochures.

After reading about Mr. George's life lessons, see if you do not notice them in play during your next shopping session at Publix.

The Right to Write

The Right to Write by Julia Cameron.

It's a cold, frigid morning in Maine.  You want to read the morning paper, but to do so will require walking through two feet of snow to the end of the driveway.  What if, what if your driveway had been plowed of snow overnight?

Do you write?

You do?  Well then, put a hat on, put a coat on, wrap a scarf around your neck and lets go get that newspaper.  Oh yeah, don't forget to make a check out to Julia Cameron's Snow Plowing Service.

The Right to Write is a collection of over forty life-navigating essays for the writer.  Julia draws upon a rich life of writing as she puts her arm across our shoulder, reassuring us that as students of the written word, we are on the right path.

Although at the end of every chapter Julia provides a writing exercise, her message is more of a balm for the writing-spirit than it is an instructional writing guide. 

The Value of Julia

Julia laces within each essay, a few sentences, paragraphs - ideas, that will cause a double take.  "How did she know?" you'll ask.  It is like Julia is tuned to a satellite that has captured your GPS coordinates on the writing journey.  I've owned this book for four years and have read it about four times.  Here is an example of where Julia connects with me every time I read it:

"Writing is about getting something down, not about thinking something up."

To get something down, I must first observe.  This takes me in the opposite direction from thinking something up.  It takes away all of the pressure from, what do I write about?

This little bit fits into my own personal life philosophy of Oz is the Yellow Brick Road:

"If we are invested in a writing life - as opposed to a writing career - then we are in it for the process and not the product."

In the early years I used to shovel the driveway.  And then I used a snowblower.  I sure wish though, someone had told me about Julia's Snow Plowing Service!

It

When it comes, it comes like a freight train - throttle out.  It will blast through your psyche like Dirty Harry's 44 Magnum.  And with but a whisper, a glimpse of what could be, it's gone...like a butterfly with the afterburners on.

A kindly gentleman told me about it over ten years ago.  He carefully prepared me, teaching me how to deal with it.  To this day I do exactly what he told me to do.  I cannot imagine a life of writing and not dealing with it.  I am sure one's hair would fall out and their soul would dry up from the inside like a prune.

Rosemary reminded me of it today while we were watching One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest on TV.  As a matter of fact, when it hit her she scurried off, away from the movie for an hour.  It had gotten her and would not let go.  Here is what it was today for her...

In the movie Jack Nicholson had just undergone electrical shock treatment.  He came back to the group of mental patients that he was staying with and said:

"The next woman who takes me on baby, is gonna light up like a pinball machine and pay off in silver dollars."

When that line hit Rosemary she didn't just get up off the couch an scurry, no, she long jumped two rooms without hitting the floor.  She was in her writing office within three seconds.

Now, as I observed this, it hit me as well.  The result of that hit?  I am telling you about it now.

Tomorrow I will tell you how I deal with it as well as my perception of how Rosemary deals with it.  Ok, I can't wait.  Here is a snippet...

A description of Rosemary when it has control over her.  Picture a lioness that hasn't eaten for a couple of weeks.  Now picture her devouring a side of rich and juicy beef.  What do you suppose would happen if you were to interrupt her during her feeding frenzy?  Of course by now you do realize that the lioness would be kind in relation to disturbing Rosemary while in the grasps of it.

Ghostwriting Services

"A year ago I discovered that I had no great urge to say anything. I let go of my writing..."

This was the first sentence in an e-mail that I received today from a very prominent writer.  I braced myself before hitting the ground while trying to keep the spit from entering the corridor to my lungs.  I straightened up, regained my composure and continued to read:

"I followed the urging of my literary agent to hang out my shingle as a ghostwriter. For years he had watched me write books without caring very much about selling them. Within ten days I was offered four projects! I took it as a sign that I was doing the right thing."

Nothing to say?  If you were to read one of this gent's books, you'd have a hard time believing that statement.  But then, as I have come to understand Dick Richards over the last few years, I'd have a hard time not believing that statement.  Dick is intuitive and real.  Two traits that I bet help to make him an outstanding ghostwriter. 

If you are in need of someone to write your story, I HIGHLY recommend contacting Dick.  And if you were to ask me what I thought of you contacting Dick, I'd say you were a Genius :-)

Download dick_richards_ghostwriter.doc

Words That Work

Words That Work by Frank Luntz.

Words That Work is the best book that I only read half of!  Author Frank Luntz weaves a recurring theme throughout his work:  It's Not What You Say, It's What People Hear.  It probably explains why I only read half of his book.

This paragraph hooks me early on:

This chapter and this book are not concerned with words that are beautiful, words that are timeless, or words that are ideal in some abstract, philosophical sense.  Rather, it is concerned, again, with words that work - language of everyday utility, language that generates practical results.  My concern is with the unadorned, commonsense language of small town, middle America, not the intellectual gamesmanship of the ivory tower.  It's language that has bubbled up from the American people themselves.

While the ivory tower comment would go on to energize me for the entire book, the part that nearly caused me to drop kick the book into the street was that Frank is involved in politics and he relies heavily upon this experience throughout the book.  Of course this reveals my small-minded intellect to the world, but I go stone cold deaf when I hear a politician's name.   I am sorry, I tune it right out.  So in order not to throw up while reading Frank's book, I skipped over anything related to politics.  Of course Frank schools me before I even get to page five:

Before you can create, and certainly before you judge, you have to listen to people and respect them for who they are and what they believe.  Just because you may not ultimately accept or endorse someone's subjective perceptions is no excuse for refusing to acknowledge that they exist.

Frank is passionate about using the correct language to deliver a compelling message, one that has impact.  His passion overwhelms the political-speak and makes it a non-issue for me.

To me, Words That Work is a road map to improving relationships.  When I write, I am writing to people with whom I want a relationship with...if only for them to read and understand my words.  Frank's ten rules of effective language illuminate the highway towards a more meaningful relationship.

Would you care to go on a journey into the future with me?  I sense a world of possibility up around the bend.  I see more and more people engaging in meaningful dialog.  I see effective communication breaking down the stone walls that people have built to keep the world at bay.  (Like mine that keeps the world of politics off of my radar).

I only ask you to do one thing on our journey.  I ask that you place the world of status-quo behind us and lock and load the most powerful force known to the human race - your imagination...

Imagine a culture of shared knowledge.  A culture spread planet-wide and one fueled by the most primal rule known to man - the Golden Rule.  Imagine a cloak of non-religious spirituality lying in casual elegance over top of this vibrant culture.  People speak and write in their native languages but are understood by everyone.  There is no war.  A universal peace of mind steadies the planet and allows for  a never seen before, hassle-free exchange of knowledge and wisdom.  A teenager in Peru converses with a teen in Moscow in an evolved version of My Space.  They quickly learn that boys are boys no matter where one lives.  And they learn through crystal clear dialog that souls and hearts can be healed in a safe and healthy manner. 

The fruit and prosperity yield from this environment causes an evolution.  Though people remain independent in their thinking, the collective consciousness guided by the Golden Rule, initiates a higher level of understanding.  Innovation and risk are taken on with renewed spirit.  A planetary system of support allows people the right and freedom to move forward.  A bold idea is met with encouragement, not resentment.  The results of this movement are not held to monetary measures.  Instead, accountability is simple:  Did you learn something today?  Were you able to help someone learn something today? 

A can-do attitude prevails the planet.  There are no ivory-tower dwellers.  Those in leadership consider an efficient day a day that a barrier was removed from an individual with a can-do spirit.  Financial security follows enhanced knowledge.  A balanced approach to a worker's mind, body, heart and spirit is an investment into the company's future and yields more money than can be counted. 

A planet is restored to a village amongst villages.  Elders connect to youth with revitalized language.  Youth embodies a spirit of respect and listens in wonder.  Yes, it still requires an effort to speak out.  But a lifestyle fueled with the desire to share knowledge, wisdom and information overpowers the effort.  Yes we can rejuvenate our spirits and reinvent that one small village that turns out to be our planet by way of crystal clear, sharp communication. 

Go out today and pick up Frank's road map to improving relationships. Somewhere out there in the future people will hear our voice, no matter what language we speak.  Thanks Frank!