Archive - September, 2009

When the shine wears off

We’re a fickle people, we humans. We like new things, shiny things, things that make us feel thinner, sexier or (best of all) more important and influential in our small corner of planet earth. We rush from idea to idea, looking for that elusive one thing that will give us the edge in living our best life now (always now, now, NOW!). In fact, our entire economy turns on this idea of consuming shiny things. All Madison Avenue has to do is tell us that what they have to offer is just what we’re looking for. They have the answer. And we believe them; at least for awhile.

But what happens when the shine wears off, as it inevitably will? What’s left and what…matters? It’s a serious question because the shine will wear off. Guaranteed. It always does. It’s planned obsolescence. We all know this. What matters, what really makes or breaks us, is what we do when it does. Continue Reading…

Are you the next Ted Dekker?

My recent post about getting noticed by an agent got my brain churning today.

My first thought was, you know, the unvarnished honesty of it may have left some of my friends discouraged. That bothers me a bit because I know what it’s like to be on that side of the road. It’s not fun.

My second thought was what if the next Dean Koontz is here reading my blog? Or the next Ted Dekker? What if James Patterson is about to become a has been because of someone reading this right now who just might be the one who breaks through? Or changes the game altogether with some crazy cool way of telling stories? The thoughts churned. Maybe that someone just needs a chance.

I have to meet this person.

And that person could be you. I mean, why not? And what if you’re thinking, “Kaiser, you’re no help at all. So what, you’re busy. Yeah I get it. I read the post. You’ve told me what I should do to get your attention, which will never happen because you’re probably making yet another quadruple espresso or tinkering with Ted’s Facebook or whatever else you do when your hopped up on Americanos. So, caffeinate away Kaiser while the rest of us write our 12,247th query letter because today is ‘Hate All Agents Day, thank you very much. For nothing.’”

You know what? You’ve convinced me. You’re right. I should do something to help my fellow artists. If real talent is right under my nose (and I’m guessing it is) then I’ve got to do something. Mr. or Ms. Next Dean Koontz (or whatever your name is)…I want to help you. I need to help you by doing something.  And here’s what that looks like: Continue Reading…

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