Do You Have a Story in You? Yes is the answer.

Last week was a sweet week for a couple of reasons. I just released two new books on the creative process — 

Hey, Writer. 

And Hey, Songwriter. 

They're creative guides for anyone (experienced or inexperienced) who has a story, a song, or an idea living inside them that hasn't been birthed into the world yet. Who doesn't? Not because the talent or the idea wasn't there — but because nobody told you it can be done. 

It can be done. 

Or maybe life got in the way, as it does. Or fear. Or you're experienced as a writer, but lost the spark and joy somewhere along the way (asking for a friend).

How do I know your idea can come to life? That’s the crux of this post.

Last week when I  launched the books, Understanding Ken — a novel I wrote sometime in the Jurassic period — hit #1 Amazon Bestseller in Hockey. 

I didn't plan that at all. I wish I could.

But it turns out to be perfect. Understanding Ken is the proof of concept behind everything I wrote in the Hey books. In my early twenties, I had no idea there was a novel in me. Or music. Or screenplays. Or films. I was bumbling my way through life (still am). 

Then one day I just... started.

And that's the whole point. In Hey Writer, Anthony Hopkins says this about the artistic process: “Acting to me is a kind of confidence trick. Art and writing are the same. You have to con yourself into doing it and it transmits over the resistance of thought and worry and anxiety. Just do it. And your brain says: good.”

I met Anthony and he told me he loved Facing Ali, a documentary I wrote and directed. So I have to believe him. Of course, what he says is true. Nothing gets a person over the fear of doing more than doing.

If you or you know someone who has a desire to create more, one or both of these books will help a lot.

If you do pick up a copy, a review on Amazon means everything for an independent book — it's how the words find their way to new readers.

Check them out… 

Hey, Writer — https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H29C9QRV

Hey, Songwriter — https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B0H2FCCCY1

Some of you I know well. And I want you to know — if you feel that creative tug, it's real. Your story is worth telling.

Hope to see you down the creative road.

Pete