Weekly Theme: Secrets of (Un)Success
19
May
Hello QRW readers! I hope this Monday greets you well.
This week it’s time to take on the ways to shoot yourself in the foot. Many of my colleagues in the blogging world, as well as hundreds of published authors, and any yahoo off the street, have advice when it comes to freelancing and creativity. They have Top 10 Tips, Hints and Hopes, Drivers, Actions, and Secrets to Success.
But here’s what I think. In many ways, a 500 word post, or even a hefty printed treatise, on the Top 100 ways to change your life, make millions, write a bestseller, become famous, and lose 40 pounds, is inherently BS. Cookie-cutter solutions are never the best option. Plus, it’s just as valuable to talk about what not to do as it is to offer the secrets to the VIP world.
This blog is about being rebellious in a constructive way. I like to offer up different ways to think about writing, creativity, and fulfillment. These different approaches may be shocking, entertaining, or downright realistic. But I remain convinced that through the act of quietly rebellious examination and action we can achieve our goals.
So looking at ways in which we can cripple our efforts, screw up our freelancing success and creativity, and generally go cruising for a bruising, is important. It’s necessary. By contemplating failure, we can better seek success.
This week I’ll take a look at ways freelancers can eff up their shite. I’ll look at how aspiring novelists and writers can ensure lasting obscurity and writing for the desk. We’ll look at ways creatives can blast their marketing means to bits. Tune in.
Tune in for this week’s theme, and stay in the QRW know, by subscribing via email or RSS. And thanks for stopping by.
1. Lisa | May 19th, 2008 at 4:31 pm
Nice take - I look forward to reading your series~
2. Allison White | May 19th, 2008 at 5:54 pm
Some of the most entertaining stories or blogs to write is what NOT to do. I once posted on my travel blog about how not to act like a tourist in Prague, basically a list of things not to do. Things like “Stop reading maps and enjoy where you are” and “Don’t smile.” Lots of fun and people got a kick out of it.
Like you said though, when you know what not to do, then you can start focusing on what you should do.
3. Johnny M | May 19th, 2008 at 8:05 pm
Success and unsuccess… being honest, the first thing that came to mind when I read that was the life of my (personal) favorite writer - Edgar Allan Poe.
I’m sure you’ll have fun with this theme. Hope I have fun reading it.
4. Amy | May 19th, 2008 at 9:34 pm
@Lisa - thanks, and glad to have you as a reader.
@Allison - It’s so true, isn’t it? I often learn more from horror stories and epic screw-ups than all the well-meaning positive spins out there. And congrats on the job! Plus - Prague totally rocks. I was there in November. Beautiful and haunting.
@Johnny - I’m always looking to have fun with my themes. Hope you have fun reading them
5. Charlie Gilkey | Productive Flourishing | May 20th, 2008 at 8:27 am
One of my old standbys is post telling people what not to do. You’re dead-on, sister - success comes in many different forms, but what makes people fail is surprisingly common.
Looks like another fun week a’coming. And this makes the second time I’ve heard you say you’ll never (or you’ve never) shot a man in Reno - a new inside joke, maybe? :p
6. Charlie Gilkey | Productive Flourishing | May 20th, 2008 at 8:29 am
Oops, the Reno comment was for the next post. D’oh!
7. Amy | May 21st, 2008 at 11:16 am
@Charlie - perhaps, perhaps. Or I could just be getting lazy, and using the same joke twice. And if you weren’t so eagle-eyed, I would have got away with it. Man, I gotta watch myself now…