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It is more important than ever for each of us to know and preserve our stories.
By knowing ourselves we can become compassionate and generous with those around us,
coming to appreciate life’s journey.
Our stories are valuable. Each of us adds texture and beauty to the planet.
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Offering up samples of writing prompt exercises, I have done. This series is from Chris Brogan’s book – Find Your Writing Voice. These are mostly unedited not meant for publication. The title reflects the writing prompt. Do you want to join in? You can buy the book and share your samples.
Or just create your own prompts to share.
My reading themes
I sensed a theme right off. I like storytellers and conversational styles. I bought this book (Finding Your Writing Voice) because I like that quality in Chris. This is not a comprehensive list, nor does it cover all areas.
Anne Lamott – is an American novelist and non-fiction writer. Enjoy how she takes me on a journey with her, using personal references. I get the point through the story.
Brené Brown – is an American scholar, author, and public speaker, who is currently a research professor at the University of Houston Graduate College of Social Work. Easy, breezy homespun explanation of sometimes complex issues around shame, empathy etc.
Hermann Hesse – was a German-born Swiss poet, novelist, and painter. His best-known works include Steppenwolf, Siddhartha, and The Glass Bead Game, each of which explores an individual’s search for authenticity, self-knowledge, and spirituality. Siddhartha remains my favorite go-to book when I want to feel redemption is possible. Language is accessible.
Shonda Rhimes – is a television producer and writer. Rhimes is the creator, head writer, executive producer, and showrunner of the medical drama television series Grey’s Anatomy, and my favorite, Scandal. From her book, A Year of Yes to her shows – I like how Shonda highlights female characters that are complex, dark and fun wrapped in a gauzy TV drama. Her Yes book reflected a certain vulnerability that I could relate to in my life.
Russell Brand – is an English comedian, actor, radio host, author, and activist. He is a wacky character that is talking about complex social issues in a way that feels inspiring and interesting.
Gary Vaynerchuk – is an entrepreneur, investor, author, public speaker, and internet personality. Not a lot of fluff in his speaking. Direct communication style without turning to criticism of others.
Jason Silva – is a television personality, filmmaker, and public speaker. The Atlantic describes Silva as “A Timothy Leary of the Viral Video Age. Jason speaks in lofty terms that I find really easy to understand. He rattles off on the mysteries of life that I want to follow along and most times I really do understand.
Books link to my Amazon Associate account. I may get five cents, but hey, five cents adds up. Buy me lunch…. someday.
Offering up samples of writing prompt exercises, I have done. This series is from Chris Brogan’s book – Find Your Writing Voice. These are mostly unedited not meant for publication. The title reflects the writing prompt. Do you want to join in? You can buy the book and share your samples.
Or just create your own prompts to share.
If I Had Another Life
I am swimming in my indoor pool. I have always wanted one. It is zero fucking degrees outside and my pool is warm and so steamy. Above my skylight reveals stars that appear bigger than my fists. I am chilling on my back letting the water hold me, my arms resting on floaties. I am back in the womb – listening to the muffled beat of my mother’s heart. Her blood fed me, my first vampiric relationship. I never outgrew the desire for women, listening to the sound of life rushing through them. Especially in the heat of passion, their hearts, lovely and full, beating hard and fast. I want to reach in and devour them, feeling the hot iron taste of arterial blood running down my face. It’s sick, isn’t it? Thinking about devouring another person…
I am glad I was born a man in a man’s world. I love women. The scent of them. The roundness of some and the angles of others. I love their minds and the flash of emotion behind their eyes. The best is a woman across from in the boardroom. They don’t wear their strategy on their sleeves. This is no chess game where you can see the moves played out. Women have learned to keep their moves to themselves. More than once I have left the boardroom realizing I have been completely outmaneuvered. Man, I love it. I got screwed up my big manly ass and I am smiling like it is my goddamn birthday.
But its still a mans world and that woman has had to cut some friends and grab the balls of a smarmy guy to get into that room. Me? I just had to show up in my suit, or play golf, may down shots and beer and doors swing open.
Don’t get me wrong I worked my ass off. Hauling boxes from trucks to stockrooms climbing my way up to manager. I read everything I could about business, looking for an opening.
I landed a gig driving for execs from Wall Street firms. I was the go-to guy- women, drugs, gifts for wives and girlfriends. All the time I was listening. If they mentioned a stock I would follow it, learning what I could until I felt I could start investing on my own. And if the time was right I started asking questions. Proving I had half a brain, I moved from the car to the office and finally, I was the one in the back seat. I really wasn’t that ambitious. I was curious and I wanted a damn indoor pool that was heated in the winter and cool in the summer. I am a pale Irish guy and hated the sun. I would burn, peel and freckle. I hated the unrelenting heat and preferred drinks under the canopy watching the women in their bikinis. I am not ashamed. Aren’t we lustful creatures after all?
I met my life under the canopy when she came under to cool off. She did that thing with an ice cube- running it along her neck, her arms across ample cleavage. She was a freakin’ bronze goddess and I was mesmerized. She turned and flashed a smile that pierced me through to Celtic heart. The bonus for me was discovering that she was a kick-ass lawyer with a fierce nature that could crack a man. I marveled at her beauty, respected her talents and loved her laugh. I was content as hell to let her be the woman in front of the man. I came up from the stockroom of Big Box stores I was happy to have made enough to get my pool and be comfortable. I don’t have to win every game- I just enjoy playing it. I think this has kept me sane and successful. I stepped on a couple of heads but made some loyal friends.
Now I get to float in my pool and I watch the stars. No stress, just this lovely warm water, and a powerful wife. Yeah, I can admit to being screwed, but she is much better than I am- let her stress.
I am just offering this up as a tasty tidbit for all you suckers out there sitting on a box in a back room. Or slapping the hand off your ass of some sweaty boss. What’s your dream? Five kids and a backyard? A Ferrari? Get curious. What are you going to do with this one fucking life? Devour life. Taste blood. Go toe to toe. Create some drama. Now get out of my life, go create your own – I am floating here.
Books link to my Amazon Associate account. I may get five cents, but hey, five cents adds up. Buy me lunch…. someday.
