The Writer's Lens

The Writer's Lens - E31: When Timing Meets Thick Skin

You gotta have thick skin when you're a creative. If there's one thing I lacked early on, it was thick skin. The ability to take criticism - good or bad - and keep moving forward. Taking criticism is paramount to a writer's long-term success. Hearing it; absorbing it; applying it. 

But, there was another thing I lacked even more: patience.

I've always possessed a strange anxiety about my writing. I've often thought that if I didn't write my book fast enough - or publish it quick enough - then some other author might steal my idea. And therefore take my place in whatever niche I was trying to fill. Ultimately, this kind of worry is unnecessary. And highly toxic to a creative's craft. 

And in hindsight, as much as I needed to learn the value of criticism, I also needed to learn the value of taking time with my ideas. Not just the good ideas, but my best idea. 

 

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The Writer's Lens - E30: For Every Creative, The Stakes Are Incredibly High

Inside every creative is an entrepreneurial spirit. Why? Because there's an innate desire to make something new. Something original.  And when you have that kind of gumption, the stakes tend to rise. There is more at risk; more knowledge needed; and more confidence required to make your dream a reality. 

Enter the fear of failure. For even if we do share our gift with others, we still face the fear of being mocked or laughed at. It's an experience that's relative to every creative, and as a writer, I know how that can paralyze a person - no matter how gifted or talented he is. 

In this episode, I talk through that process of making my own leap into writing - only to realize how crowded the creative / entrepreneurial space really is. And even if we make it through the woods and back up the mountain to finish what we started, there's a whole other plane of challenges waiting there for us too. And plenty more people trying to make it there too! 

So, as I said in the beginning, the stakes are high. And not everyone gets to the finish line first. 

P.S. if you enjoy this episode, be sure to like it or follow (however which way you choose to do so, i.e. iTunes, YouTube, Podbean, etc.). I can be found almost anywhere. Well, almost. 

 

Webpage: www.jclfaltot.com

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The Writer's Lens - E29: People Are Always Looking To Take Advantage Of Your Dreams

We will go to great lengths to reach our dreams. We'll throw caution to the wind. We'll forget what it means to 'play it safe.' We will do more than the usual to get there. 

But, with that in mind, we must be careful of what that pursuit looks like to other people. Because if we are so willing to chase our dreams so blindly, then we must be cognizant of how others might take advantage of us. And our dreams. 

Yes, it'd be nice to live in a world where everyone has our best interests in mind. It would be less stressful, for sure. But, we don't. And we can't fool ourselves into thinking otherwise. As a creative - one who is writing books - I've had to learn this hard truth of entrepreneurship. My ideas are special to me. I want them to succeed. Yet, I can't be someone who throws money at the next person willing to extend a helping hand. I have to be smarter than that. And so does anyone else trying to make his / her dream a reality. 

In this episode, I talk through a recent experience I had involving a potential scammer. With so many aspiring authors out there, the number of 'reputable marketing agencies' has also increased. And as I detailed above, this should not come as a surprise to anyone in the creative, entrepreneurial sphere of things. 

Enjoy! 

The Writer's Lens - E28: My Regrets With Self-Publishing

Regret is a tough business. It keeps us fixed on the past - a place we can't change, but wish we could. 

That is if we still live with regret. 

As a self-published author, I'm one of the many (emphasis on many) who decided to forego traditional publishing. And although at the time it sounded like the right choice, I can't help but look back and see some regretful decisions I've made. 

But, that's not the end of the story. Not yet anyway. Regret can only hold onto us as long as we let it. For we must find a way to turn regret into valuable lessons. So that's what this episode is all about: learning and moving rather than sitting and regretting. 

All through the lens of a writer, of course. Enjoy. 

The Writer's Lens - E27: The Stigma Of "Daydreaming" And What It Means To A Creative

Is daydreaming a bad thing? Is it good? Even if you're not of the creative mindset, the label of 'daydreamer' can be a derogatory one. Such identifiers might include lazy, unfocused, undisciplined, immature, has "head in the clouds", to name a few. So, in short, nothing good. 

This episode was partially birthed from an interview I heard years ago on self-publishing. A self-published author was discussing her desire for a partner, aka husband, that understood how "staring off into space" didn't equate to disinterest. It merely meant that she could be working. She was sorting things out in her head. She was putting together ideas and scenarios. She was running through character arcs and settings. As a writer, I really resonated with that sentiment. Growing up, I had a tendency to drift off into my own little world. And honestly, I still do. We all do, to some extent. But, to put it bluntly: is that a good thing? 

Remembering that interview, I decided to take a stab at this concept and look at why someone - like myself - might be inclined to daydream. Does it foster more imagination? Does it eventually turn you into a doer and not just a thinker? Could it be considered work? 

In episode 27, I analyze my own life and see if there's been any growth (and truth) with regards to this idea. 

Enjoy! 

The Writer's Lens - Interview 07: Colleen Ward, "Find Your Lane"

"Find your lane" - Colleen Ward

My latest interview is with Cleveland native, Colleen Ward, who is the owner / operator of Colleen Ward Studio, www.colleenwardstudio.com.

Colleen has several talents - photography, art, digital editing, to name a few - and has found a way to direct her passions into a business endeavor. For this interview, Colleen discusses her path to starting her own business, but also how imperative it is to "find your lane" - discover what you do well, what your style is, and then cultivate your strengths. But, also the importance of surrounding yourself with those who differ from you creatively. In this way, you can expand yourself artistically.

This balance, I can attest to, is imperative for writing stories. If I am stuck in a vacuum, then I am unable to find what works and ultimately, what doesn't. What simply interests me and what I'd like to emulate. Yet at the end of the day, we must find time to rest from our creative pursuits. All hustle and no rest drains us quickly so we have to find that healthy balance if we are going to properly utilize our gifts.

A big thanks to Colleen for letting me talk to her about her creative endeavors!
Again, you can check her work out at www.colleenwardstudio.com and you can follow her on Instagram @colleenwardstudio

Thanks, Colleen!

The Writer's Lens - Post-Interview 06 Thoughts

Should we always seek to make money off of our creative endeavors? And is it 'okay' to say no to people who want our help with their own creative pursuits?

In my last interview, I talked about these questions with Immanuel Mullen, co-founder of The Story Is. Though we had a great conversation, I felt the need to unpack some of what we discussed and give my own feedback on these topics.

As a self-published author, the landscape of creatives and other authors is immense; navigating this arena is no small feat. Especially when everyone is trying to get ahead.

In this episode, I share some of my thoughts on what that can look like. And how I've learned to become better at saying 'no'.

Video portion can be found on YouTube here. 

The Writer's Lens - E26: Have We Romanticized "Darkness" In Our Stories?

Darkness - the absence of light. Or - as some writers will tell you - a clever way to make something sound interesting.

The word dark is often used to describe something mysterious. What lies in the dark is unknown. It can strike fear in the hearts of those who venture in. It can also be the catalyst for an exciting adventure. And, most recently, a way to invite avid readers into a surreal world. 

In this episode, I take a deeper look at why "darkness" has become more and more popular among storytellers. How describing something as dark doesn't always mean the same thing. And how I've found ways to use dark in my own work, specifically in my book, The Road To Mars. 

Enjoy! 

The Writer's Lens - Interview 06: Immanuel Mullen, The Story Is

For my first interview of 2018, I had the privilege of speaking with fellow creative, writer, and "Dune" enthusiast, Immanuel Mullen.

Immanuel is co-founder of The Story Is, a Cleveland-based video and production company which specializes in telling the unique stories of their clients. Immanuel and his wife, Stephanie, started this passion pursuit in 2013 and as they enter their sixth year of operation, Immanuel and Stephanie have entered into even more big things: balancing work, marriage, and two little ones under the age of three.

For this interview, I chat with Immanuel about his passion for video and film, his path to business generation, and his personal quest to find value and meaning in his work. We also chat about the concept of "creative bias" and what it takes to put yourself out there to make things happen in your life.

You can find out more about this talented pair and their work at www.thestoryis.com

The Writer's Lens - E25: Are Artists Important for Society?

What we make, we believe has meaning (at least to the one who makes it). But, how does this translate to the masses? Are artists - writers, scribes, painters, sculptors - ultimately integral and important to the societies they inhabit? 

My first answer would be: yes. And of course, I'd make a claim that they are. Artists dabble in chaos more than order. And artists try to make sense of that chaos so that others can understand it better. What are the truths underlying everything we do? What are our goals? How do we interpret our world? These are some really big questions I've wrestled with as a writer and creative person. Am I doing things that are meaningful and will what I do have meaning to others? In some sense, most creatives hope their work does more than provide personal therapy. There is a hope that their work can impact others. 

Now, whether that's for the noble and just cause is another story. And something I've decided to delve a bit deeper into with this episode. Hope you enjoy.