It Will Blow Your Mind (It Sure Blew Mine!)
A funny thing happened on my way out of urgent care here in Scottsdale last Saturday.
In case you missed my story of the mishap that had sent me to urgent care 10 days earlier, the tip of my left index finger had had an unfortunate run-in with a knife while I was making lunch. The knife won, and I needed five stitches. Last Saturday, I was back at urgent care to get them removed.
One of the side benefits of that first visit was a book sale (I’d sure rather not have to slice off body parts to sell books!). I’d gotten into a conversation about my writing with Alexis, one of the providers, and she ended up buying a copy of The MoonQuest audiobook on Audible.
When she shared that with me as she was cleaning up my unstitched finger last weekend, I said, “You know, you could write your own fantasy novel.”
Alexis shook her head. “I’m not creative,” she declared.
“Everyone is,” I countered.
She shook her head again, more vigorously.
“If you don’t believe me, check out my June Writes workshop series,” I said, handing her a business card. Then without thinking, I added, “It’ll blow your mind.”
I don’t recall her reaction because what I said blew my mind! In fact, I was so startled that I don’t remember walking out of the clinic. All I remember is sitting in my car for a full five minutes, stunned.
I have taught and coached writers for more than 30 years and not once through all that time had I ever made a declaration about the power of my work that was so assertively, unequivocally and unshakably self-confident. Had my innate Canadian modesty gotten in the way? My insecurity?
Some combination of both, probably…not that it matters anymore because in a single instant in that clinic, a lifetime’s hesitation, self-consciousness and self-effacement shattered.
Thing is, my work is mind-blowing.
It busts through writer’s block.
It convinces the Alexises of the world that they are creative.
It awakens all manner of stories — fiction and nonfiction — that their creators didn’t even know they had in them.
It facilitates every kind of writing — from advertising copy to dissertations, from short stories to novels, memoirs and screenplays.
It changes lives.
And that is as true with my books, all of them, as it is with my teaching, coaching and counseling.
I have no lack of marketing materials that tout those assets and benefits. I have even more testimonials that gratefully acknowledge them. Yet until that moment with Alexis, some part of me couldn’t fully own them.
Now, I can. June Writes will blow your mind. Any of my workshops, groups, courses, books and coaching sessions will. And although thousands of students, clients and readers over three decades will attest to that, none of their testimony mattered if I couldn’t bring myself to own the power of my work and words.
Today, my blinders are off. Today, my false modesty is no more. Today, I insist with neither hesitation nor equivocation that if you’re ready to unleash creative potential you didn’t even know you had, to awaken the stories you have been reluctant or scared to express (or to acknowledge), to revolutionize your relationship with writing, to free your mind and expand your vision in ways you could never before have conceived, to open to unimagined possibilities, I’m your guy.
A good place to start is with June Writes, my five-week workshop series that kicks off June 1 on Zoom.
It’s a place to write what you didn’t know you could write.
It’s a place to be nurtured and supported in your creativity.
It’s a place to start building creative community.
It’s an unparalleled opportunity to experience your own creative power.
It’s a workshop you won’t want to miss. It will blow your mind.
Space is limited, so claim your spot today…and save 30% (through Memorial Day) with the early bird discount.
June Writes is only one of the exceptional resources I offer through my new Mark David Gerson School of Writing. Here are some of the others…
Summer Writes, a six-week follow-up to June Writes; Summer Writes kicks off July 13
Books and downloadable courses on topics ranging from journaling, writer’s block and writing as a tool for healing to screenwriting, memoir-writing, character-crafting, editing and more
Breakthrough coaching (one-on-one and in groups) to get you writing, keep you writing and power you through whatever is holding you back from getting your most authentic, most compelling and most powerful stories onto the page.
But wait. There’s more! Beyond The Mark David Gerson School of Writing…
I’m the award-winning author of two page-turner fiction series that inspire at least as much as they entertain, a series of powerfully transformational self-help books based on the timeless archetype of the tarot Fool, and series of compelling memoirs.
I’m an accomplished photographer, visual artist and sound healer
So, whether you’re ready to be inspired, uplifted, motivated, educated, entertained or all five (and even if you don’t feel quite ready), join me on a journey you’ll never forget. It will blow your mind!