What compels you?

Yesterday, I attended the Northwest Author’s Series at the Wilsonville Library where Karen Karbo gave a presentation on “Passions Into Paychecks: Making a Living Without a Brand.”

With a quick wit and a cut to the chase honesty, Karbo shared bits of wisdom that have helped her writing career.
“Find something that compels you,” she said.
“Be open to ideas.”
“What are the themes that grab you and hold your heart over time.”

Many writers I know have a brand – they writing about one topic – food, health, crime, education, politics…

I don’t have a brand and I don’t think I could ever commitment myself to one topic. That would be like eating one kind of chocolate or reading the same book over and over again.
What I love about being a journalist is every day I learn at least 10 new things. I treasure the opportunities I have to meet incredible people who are making a difference in their community. I am fascinated by people who throw caution to the wind and follow their passion. I am amazed and honored when people share their fears, secrets,  … their stories with me.

Karbo asked the audience to make a list of things that captivate or interest us. In no particular order, my list is hunger in our country/world; education; children’s issues; parenting tips; travel; people who make a difference; health; crime; people who overcame odds to change their lives; discrimination; politics; faith/religion; food; books; mysteries; seniors; science…

While I have enjoyed the first month of writing about getting back in shape and setting goals, there is no way I could continue to write about it for the next 11 months. And I don’t think anyone would be interested in reading it. It would be like the teacher in Charlie Brown that sounds like “wah, wha, wah, wha, wah, wha…”

Boring and everyone would tune out, including me.

Oscar Wilde once said, “Be yourself, everyone else is taken. In order to be oneself, one has to take risks, to accept that one is not perfect and to be courageous enough to say what one really thinks. Nowadays, it’s a tremendous act of bravery to be original instead of a pathetic replication of someone else. … Lacking spontaneity, originality or individuality is the worst flaw one can has, for a mediocre copy of someone else is taking place.”

Starting tomorrow, I plan to write about things that are important and interest me. I hope you will continue to visit my blog and see what I am up to next.

As far as my exercise goals - this week Sunday, 35 minutes; Monday, 45; Tuesday, 30; Wednesday, rest; Thursday, 35; Friday, 40; and Saturday, 45.