Barry ‘Baz’ Morris

To Brick, or Not to Brick: It’s No Longer Even a Question

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Bricks are for masons, not writers who want to get paid to write. pc: pixels.com

What’s Bricking?

Bricking is publishing a print book (a.k.a. a physical ego stroke) that’s unchangeable and non-scalable. It’s long been the dream of every writer to produce a brick and see their brick proudly displayed in a brickstore.

I dreamed of doing that. I even published a brick back before the Kindle and iBooks were things.

Bricking had it’s time in the spotlight; If you’re a writer who still thinks publishing a physical book is proof of being a writer, then you’re still stuck in the 2oth century.

Physical books should only be published for children and the elderly. Yes, I know that sounds crazy, but in my opinion, so does chopping up trees to produce something that will likely be recycled anyway. I consider print books a waste of time, effort, and resources.

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The Gatekeeper Is Dead

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Ding, dong… the [slush-pile reader] is dead! pc.http://www.lifeofpix.com

Today’s post is an overview of what publishing looks like today for the Rebel Writer. It’s 2017 and the options for publishing today are as wide open as the ocean. If you’re a writer, especially a Rebel Writer, you’d better get busy because as you’ll see, there is no reason why you shouldn’t be publishing…and getting paid to write. [Read more…] about The Gatekeeper Is Dead

5 Ways to Not Throw Away Your … Shot

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I saw the spectacular performance last night at The Orpheum Theater in San Francisco pc: barry

In the third musical number in Lin-Manual Miranda’s extraordinary musical, Hamilton, the lead character forcefully makes his case for his own ambition by repeatedly using these words. An immigrant to the American colonies from the British West Indies, Alexander Hamilton understood he had an uphill climb toward acceptance and realizing success. He had a talent for writing, but even more importantly, he had ambition and knew what he wanted to achieve. 

Throughout the unbelievably stunning performance by the cast last night at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theater, I keep thinking about my own sense of ambition. My goals as a writer today are the same as they were when I first surrendered to that which I can’t-not-do: to write content that makes a difference in the world and in the lives of others.  [Read more…] about 5 Ways to Not Throw Away Your … Shot

What Are You Willing to Give Up to Make It?

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We didn’t have a Caddy, but our ’57 Ford was still a beauty. pc: pixabay.com

I was raised in the 60’s and 70’s by two post-world War II ration-conscious, supply-stocking parents. Their earliest years were in the midst of the Great Depression and the realities of a world at war. They knew the value of hard work and sacrifice.

Given my dad was the sole-provider, we didn’t have everything we with wanted, but we did have everything we needed. It was against this backdrop that the foundational concepts of opportunity were presented, essentially that I could:

  • have anything I wanted
  • be anything I wanted to become
  • achieve anything I set my mind to
  • …if I was willing to work hard enough

What my parents didn’t tell me

As great as these overtures of opportunity were, they weren’t the whole truth. What was missing from the seemingly magic formula for success was the cost factors involved in having everything I desired, becoming anything I wanted, and achieving anything I set my mind to.

What my parents omitted from their encouraging reach for the stars rah-rah-rah type of parenting was the fact that in order to reach the stars, you needed a spaceship and spaceships cost a lot of money.

Which was sort of ironic considering my dad was an actual rocket scientist.

The cost of getting what you want

There is a cost for everything in life. Even a free lunch has a hidden cost. That BOGO deal on tortilla chips at the supermarket that you like so much? It’s actually paid for by raising the prices on other items.

Successfully achieving your dreams of being a writer, a business owner, anything really….involves cost. There are obvious costs for education, training, and equipment, but there’s also the one most people don’t ever mention…

The cost of what you have to give up in order to succeed

Pick any person who has worked to become successful, and they’ll tell you that it hasn’t been without significant cost or sacrifice.

Do me a favor? Take an honest look at your life and identify what’s getting in the way of you doing the rock and achieving your dreams.

Then ask yourself, what part of my life can I do without in order to achieve my dream of becoming a ________?

For some, it’s giving up their addiction to their television or 24/7 media streaming. For others it might be the shadow career they’re pursuing in order to not turn pro.

What holds you back from making it?

If you feel so inclined, please tell me in the comments. Or just say hello and share this post using the social media button below -it’s really good karma-. Thanks!