We are story tellers

"... I thought about writing a book, but I am just not a creative person."

Yes, quote me on that, because I have said it forever.

As many of my close friends know, I led a shall we say “colorful” life in my first decade or so out of high school.

As I moved into my professional career life in corporate America, I would from time to time drag out a story here or a story there from that time; likely with an embellishment or two to make the story good (along with name changes to protect the guilty).

Very often people would say to me — “hey, Will, you should write a book about that”. I am a terrible writer and was focused on math and the sciences in school so that just did not sound like fun to me at all. Plus, I was not creative enough to write a whole book; no way! So, I would usually reply, ya, I thought about it, but I am not creative ya know (I was a technology executive after all, not a warm and fuzzy). Then I might add, why don’t you write a book, I am sure you can whip up some stories. Given that I was likely talking to another techie, I would get pretty much the same from them.

Here’s the thing — we were WRONG.

Wrong in every way that matters anyway.

They call us “authors” or “writers”, but the deeper truth is, we are storytellers first. Most people are storytellers and quite creative in their ways.

Think of this.

Did you ever pitch your boss an idea? Some new way to do some thing or some new product that would result in this or that?

Yes?

Well, my dear reader, that is storytelling. You made that shit up and then presented it in a way that made it sound like it would work well.

There is an old thing, a new thing, and a path to get there.

There are hurdles to cross and the hero in the end is (if you are a good storyteller) the very boss you are pitching to.

Now some of us really like that part whether we know it or not in the moment.

This was me.

I loved being the one to craft the winning “strategy” (ya, that is just a story).

So, if you have ever thought about writing a book but stopped short because of “not being creative enough”. Rethink and reframe, you might just have a hidden passion.

I now know that I do and I plan to tell as many stories as I can!