(Brian Forrester — B.F. — Bif — get it?)
God, I hate goodbyes.
Even when I know they’re for the good. Hate em, hate em, hate em. Especially at this stage of our parenting. Today, Jake and Sam left for school, the last kids remaining from Christmas break. When the kids drive away, a silence always falls. The house goes into winter. And I start to feel the chilly air of getting older, the reality that I’m not needed as much. Makes me long for the next HELLO!
God, I hate goodbyes.
I have a few sacred spaces. One of them is surprising: the Costco food court.
Our family ate there A LOT over the years. Probably hundreds of pizzas and thousands of drink refills. And it still looks pretty much the same. Tonight, Jess and I ate there with Jake while getting him groceries to take back to JMU.
Sitting at one of those familiar tables where the seven of us often dined, I thought of our kids now in different cities, spread out over the miles. And I longed again for those together times. Longed for the years that slipped away like sand.
Because, really, what makes a place sacred other than time spent there with those you love? To me, Costco is way more than a pizza slice or a $1.50 hot dog combo. It’s long-ago memories, silly conversations, laughter in the wind. And yes, pizza.
Ah, life’s sacred spaces.
I pulled something out of the corner of our bedroom closet. An item I had forgotten about.
The thought hit me… this could go perfect in my work office. Took it with me, unpacked the bag, and set it up before anyone else showed up. Sent a picture to Jess to make sure it didn’t look stupid or too over-the-top.
What was it? The roll-out 8-ft high banner for my first book, The Jungle Within. Better out than in, I’ve heard it said.
Welcome to the jungle.
Every morning for the last five months, with rarely missing, I’ve done a simple exercise routine: 60 pushups and a five-set series of ab crunches. Sometimes I repeat it at night. It’s not much, but after staying consistent with it, I can see the results.
Faithfulness in the small things is often more important than a little-used gym membership. As Gretchen Rubin says, “The twenty-minute walk you take is so much better for you than the three-mile run you never do.”
Lots of dishes in the sink this evening. Always happens when the dishwasher has clean dishes but no one has unloaded them. Got it all cleaned up. And somehow the entire house felt cleaner. Hence, my tried-and-true principle: as goes the kitchen, so goes the house.
When committed, you find a way. Tonight was ice cold but Cali (our golden retriever) needed a walk. I hate cold weather, but I’m committed to giving her exercise. So I put on 4 layers — shirt, hoodie, rain jacket, winter jacket — then added a scarf, a toboggan, and gloves, while wearing a hood. I looked like the marshmallow man but stayed pseudo-warm.
When committed, you find a way.
Finding points of connection. Today I had a phone call with the Times-News newspaper, to resubscribe Dad. I talked with a pleasant lady who handles subscriptions and classifieds.
Instead of being transactional, she asked if I was enjoying the snow. She talked about the inch or two they received over the weekend. She talked about how her computer was slow today and how tempted she was to throw it out the window. It all made for a short and funny conversation. Not salesy at all, but real and genuine.
Two people chatting and exchanging goods. How it should be done. Bonus points: we both talk with NC accents.
How can a 54yr old and 19yr old find something in common? Music. When driving my daughter, Kate, back to VCU, we listened to Sabrina Carpenter’s album and talked about the lyrics. Funny, when we got to her dorm, her roommate had a picture of Sabrina on the wall. Music bridges generations.
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
It’s easy to laugh at email marketing. "That's so last century!” people say, as they chase the latest social media trends.
But look closer. Your “rented” social media audience can vanish overnight with one algorithm change from the robot overlords. Meanwhile, your email list? Still there, still converting.
An email database is your most valuable digital asset. Consider it your prized piece of internet real estate. On social media, you're renting space in someone else's house. With email, you own the land.
The proof is in the numbers. Email consistently outperforms other digital channels in conversion rates. The only thing better? Speaking to a live audience.
Whether you’re trying to sell a book or a shiny widget, build that email list. Future You will thank you for it.
“Signing up (for emails) is a powerful signal of intent to buy. Send them emails until they do.”
“Email has an ability many channels don’t: creating valuable, personal touches – at scale.”
1. How does the concept of "rented" versus "owned" audiences apply to different marketing channels?
2. What strategic advantages does email marketing offer for long-term business growth?
3. How does email marketing create the ability to to create “personal touches” at scale? How is this different from other platforms?
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
Want to know the most important (and often overlooked) aspect of a website?
Cue the suspenseful music…
Collecting email addresses from your visitors.
That’s right, it’s not the glossy photos or the latest design trends.
In the wild world of marketing, email addresses are the shiny bars of gold.
That’s why EVERY homepage should have a strategy for collecting info from interested readers/customers/clients.
With an email database, you can stay connected with your audience without worrying about the ever-changing algorithms of social media.
cough Zuckerberg cough
But wait, how do you convince someone to hand over their precious email?
Simple. Offer them something irresistible in return.
Maybe it’s:
A PDF
A short story
A coupon
Free shipping
Or even better, an 8x10 glossy of you in a velvet smoking jacket holding a glass of wine
Whatever it is, think about your target audience. And try to make them say, “Whoa, that’s cool.”
Now offer that for free.
“The best marketing doesn’t feel like marketing.”
“When you give something away for nothing, you look nice. When that something is valuable, you look authoritative and trustworthy. Win-win. Freebies help your audience trust you as an expert in your field.”
1. What's the most enticing freebie you've ever been offered in exchange for your email address?
2. What's the ideal way for a website to promote a freebie offer without being too pushy or intrusive?
3. Can you think of any websites that offer unique freebies?
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
Ever thought about a character’s first line?
It’s their initial handshake… firm and confident. Or soft and fishy.
A few reasons to give red-carpet treatment to debut lines:
Impressions Matter
Just like a first date or job interview, opening words set the tone.
Hook ‘Em Fast
A great line can be the difference between a reader thinking, “Meh” or “More, please!”
Show, Don’t Tell (The Golden Rule)
Instead of saying “Jane was sarcastic,” have her early dialogue drip with delicious sarcasm.
Reflect Their World
Sneak in a hint at the character’s background, social status, or setting.
Fun Exercise: Try writing five different first lines for your main characters. Which one makes you go, “Yep, that’s them!”?
“Well-crafted dialogue will indicate if a character is smart or dumb, honest or dishonest, amusing or an old sobersides. ”
“Diction in dialogue is about so much more than the ideas your characters communicate. It’s a tool for revealing who they are, what they want, and how they feel.”
1. Can you think of examples from books or movies where the first line left a strong impression on you?
2. How can the first line of a character contribute to their overall development throughout the story?
3. What makes a first line memorable?
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
Ever watched the old Batman TV show?
Whenever the Dynamic Duo got stuck in a life-or-death bind, somehow they found a way out with their Batweapons.
A Batarang, anyone? How ‘bout the Batknife? Or even better yet, maybe the shark repellent Batspray (true, look it up).
As a writer, sometimes you’ll write yourself into a corner. Yes, one of those dreaded dead ends where all creativity goes to die.
Take a breath and think good thoughts. You’re gonna live through it because you have access to some amazing writer “Batweapons.”
Here are a few:
Change the POV
Switch the perspective to another character.
Write a dialogue-only scene
Focus solely on conversations.
Work backward
Start from the end of the scene and work your way backward.
Set a timer
Give yourself 10 or 15 minutes and write non-stop.
Skip ahead
Move on to the next chapter that you’re excited about writing.
Change the setting
If the scene feels stale, switch up the location or time of day.
Start some conflict
Conflict is what makes people turn pages.
Revisit character goals and obstacles
Clarifying these elements can provide a clear road ahead.
Freewrite backstory
Understanding more about character motivations and histories often provides a spark.
Ask “What if?”
Pose different “What if?” questions about the scene — sometimes the crazier, the better.
Put these tools into your Batbelt and, just like the caped crusaders, you can live to see another day.
“If you get stuck, get away from your desk. Take a walk, take a bath, go to sleep, make a pie, draw, listen to music, meditate, exercise; whatever you do, don’t just stick there scowling at the problem.”
“Show up, show up, show up, and after a while, the muse shows up, too.”
1. How does writing a dialogue-only scene help to move a story forward?
2. How does working backward from the end of a chapter provide clarity or new ideas when you’re stuck?
3. Why is conflict so powerful in stories?
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. And by the way, my newest book is called Color The Sky With Song.
Photo courtesy of Zdeněk Macháček @zmachacek
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
Great authors have a knack for crafting dialogue, but let’s be real—it’s trickier than it looks.
Want a secret to make your dialogue sizzle?
Have your characters argue.
When you fill conversations with tension, misunderstandings, and hidden agendas, your readers will devour every word.
Why? We all like to eavesdrop on juicy drama.
“Tension on a tightly suspended cable is what holds up the bridge… and it’s what makes a good novel or a good life.”
“Dialogue is not just words on a page, it’s the emotional tension between characters.”
What are some common pitfalls writers face when creating dialogue?
How can writers ensure that tension in dialogue remains engaging without becoming repetitive or predictable?
How does the setting of a conversation influence the way arguments unfold between characters?
WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
Here’s a quick trick for developing a character. Ask yourself: if they were to carry a purse or a bag, what would be inside?
Maybe it’s lipstick. Or credit cards. But push it deeper….
What about?
A miniature harmonica
A pair of antique opera glasses
A book of poetry
A set of lock-picking tools
An opened condom pack
A set of foreign coins
A foldable boomerang
A spy pen with invisible ink
A fossilized shark tooth
A tiny brass telescope
You get the idea.
Throw one of those bad boys in there and suddenly you’ve got an interesting character.
“Respect your characters, even the minor ones. In art, as in life, everyone is the hero of their own particular story.
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“It’s the characters. That’s what I spend most of my time with. Once I’ve done that, character will speak to plot and story.
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What do your characters want in the story? What are they searching for?
What is standing in their way, and what are they willing to do to remove the obstacles?
How do your characters respond to failure, stress, and other emotional situations?
WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.
Each blog contains 1 idea, 2 quotes, and 3 questions to ponder.
As a writer, you’re not alone in your frustration with perfectionism. It’s a real problem for most of us who put “pen to paper.” I know, it stinks.
Here’s the secret: when you truly understand your target market, it changes the way you write. If your audience loves $10 words, then write $10 words. But if your readers prefer lean language ($1 words), then give ‘em those dollar specials.
Once you get inside the head of your target reader, the right words flow much easier.
And while we’re at it… save the heavy editing for when you’ve completely finished your first draft. Yes, your draft will be sandpaper rough. But that’s okay.
Let all your ideas flow onto the page using the creative side of your brain, then do your spelling/grammar/structure corrections by using the analytical side of your brain.
When you’re writing/creating, sometimes you must command the analytical side: “Stop! It’s not time for you yet!”
Trying to do both at the same time is like trying to clean a dog that’s rolling in the mud. Good luck with that.
“I think I did pretty well, considering I started out with nothing but a bunch of blank paper.”
“You write to communicate to the hearts and minds of others what’s burning inside you. And we edit to let the fire show through the smoke. ”
How do you determine target audience preferences, especially with choice of language?
What strategies help your ideas flow freely during the initial stages of writing?
Have you ever edited too early in the writing process? How did it affect your work?
WATCH THE BOOK TRAILER:
About Me
Hey, I’m Brian. Born a Tar Heel but now a Virginian, I’m a father of five and the husband of one amazing lady. My family has a thing for Golden Retrievers. Given the right circumstances, I can do a smooth moonwalk on a slick kitchen floor. I’ve also written a book called The Jungle Within.
