Once upon a story: startup authors turn junk into nonfiction gold!

When I was a journalist, I interviewed a farmer known for saving all kinds of rare and common things in the loft of his barn. Some neighbors called his collection junk, but after spending time with him, I realized he had an emotional connection to everything he kept.

​ As I listened, that junk in his barn began to glow like gold.

As I listened, that junk in his barn began to glow like gold. Are you hiding your best stuff? Do you have an emotional connection to your business, creative dream, or new venture that you are not fully expressing?

It's time to gather your junk --- the emotive elements of your personal, artistic, or business story.

When you seize control of the emotional life of your story, you have the potential to reach and influence a large audience. In that sense, I believe every new book is a startup business.  

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Do you think you already know your story?

I hope that’s true.

However, in my experience, many gifted people dismiss parts of their stories as common or unimportant, that so-called junk that accumulates over time. They are often wrong, and they may miss a significant opportunity to connect with others. 

As an editor and reporter for daily newspapers, including The Los Angeles Daily News, I interviewed countless people from all walks of life and wrote their stories.

​The experience proved something to me: Not only does story sell far better than the most expensive advertising campaigns, but it is also among the most fulfilling creative experiences available to men and women.

​Not only that, but recognition derived from story is one of the most powerful marketing tools available to any business person, individual, entrepreneur, artist, mom, dad, teacher or fill-in-the-blank.

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One of my ghostwriting clients was determined to tell her story of chronic pain after an athletic injury. But she was concerned about how far to go.

In the end, she decided it was liberating to be candid about her own experiences. The reader would not be alarmed or offended if she merely spoke her truth in a narrative that revealed an 18-year period of her life.

Amy Eicher is now a public speaker, business owner, and much healthier mom and athlete. Her book launched a lot of change in her life. The benefits clearly outweigh her initial doubts.

Not every book will lead to business opportunities, because every title is written by an individual  with their own sense of purpose.

Also, not every book will immediately be successful. Amy's book launch was exciting because she was named a #1 New Release by Amazon.

Others may see slow progress, and yet get so much in return simply by sharing what they have created.

The adage, "everyone has at least one book in them" seems true. But it leaves out how fulfilling it can be to finally share your memoir, business book or novel or screenplay.  

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