TALKING TO JEFF GOINS, the word “comfortable” frequently comes up. He uses it, and I’m feeling a distinct sense of comfort as we breeze through a recent phone conversation. It’s odd, since the subject is a distinctly uncomfortable one. We’re talking about publishing, a topic that has never been one anyone might find comfortable. Competitive, cut-throat, cold, scary, unknowing, secretive, privileged. Closed. Impossible. Uncaring. Now those are words that come to mind when the subject is publishing. Not when speaking with Jeff, though, and his comfort is contagious.
Jeff Goins is comfortable not only with the topic, but also with the act of making publishing an available goal for all. Instead of merely talking the talk, he daily does a great deal toward that goal by blogging, publishing ebooks, teaching a new online course and soon publishing his much-anticipated book, Wrecked: When a Broken World Slams into Your Comfortable Life. See? There’s that comfortable theme again.
What initially drew me to Jeff was his writing voice, and his no-nonsense attitude toward getting the work done. Go see for yourself on his fine blog. When I initially reached out to him, sending him a copy of my new book, The Memoir Project, the result was a conversation that’s been going on since. Sometimes conducted via email, other times in blog comments, or on Twitter, our topics ranged over the many issues involved in forging a successful writing career, though this was the first time we had actually talked, and dialing the phone, I had a small level of unease over not knowing the proper way to pronounce his last name.
Getting to Know Jeff
“That depends on which side of the Mason-Dixon line you’re on,” he replied, laughing. His people are from Alabama, but his early years were spent in Illinois, where he was a Goynes. Now, living in Tennessee, he is again Go-ins. And yes, he’s comfortable with both.
The topic of comfort also comes up when we engage in a long discussion about brand, a subject, it is safe to say, that most of my writing students and peers continue to find deeply distressing. Not Jeff. He is very “intentional” about creating his brand. Blogging and writing for about six years now, he has seen much more success in the last year. The reason? He believes it is a result of “the natural process until you find the comfortable writing voice.”
“One of the things that is always true about me is that I am impatient and practical, “ he explained. “It comes out in how I write. Punchy. Intentional. I want to get to the point.”
And that’s what attracted my attention the first time I read his blog. Jeff is writing with intent, a phrase I use all the time, and while he calls it “writing for real,” we both believe in doing it, as well as sharing the ethic with others. It’s where our brands intersect, a lovely place to forge a friendship.
Join the Party
As a result of our new-found bond, we’re having a little cyber party, the favors for which are free ebooks – your choice of one of Jeff’s fabulous publications. Choose from Every Writer’s Dream or Before Your First Book. Both are filled with valuable information on how to successfully live this life of writing.
I’m giving away five of each. All you must do to qualify is leave a sentence below about who you want to be as a writer. In other words, what is your brand, or what brand do you see in your future?
When I asked Jeff to define his brand, along with “punchy,” and “intentional,” he used the words “teacher,” “informal,” “down to earth,” middle-class,” and “not-pretentious.”
“It’s action oriented,” he replied. “When I challenge them, people are responsive to that, and I hone that, and focus that on a brand that is clean and uncluttered both in terms of the visuals the word length.”
“It’s about getting you to act,” he said, sounding very comfortable with the brand.
So act. Let me hear from you, and win a book or two.
How to Win a Jeff Goins ebook
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO TO QUALIFY TO WIN one of the two Jeff Goins’s ebooks I’m giving away is to tell me what you want to be as a writer. What’s your intended brand? Or, what is your brand now? Go on. Understanding who you are is the first step toward getting a brand, or building one.
Don’t worry if you’re feeling shy. I’ll count your comment even if you just say, “garden writer,” or “cat lover.” Two-word minimum. How’s that for easy?
Winners will be chosen at random, using the number-generating tool on random [dot] org, after entries close at midnight Friday, February 17. Good luck to all.
Anne says
Yikes, these are issues I’m still thinking through and haven’t really clarified yet. BUT I get to hear Jeff speak in 2 weeks at Blissdom and I’m counting on him helping me clarify my writer’s vision!
Jeff Goins says
Uh oh. Pressure!
marion says
Lucky you, Anne. Enjoy.
Rhonda Rae Baker says
Breaking the Silence
Am ready to take steps for memoir completion. This is my year and it sounds like these books will help me Break Out.
Thank you for chance to win!
Write On!
marion says
This is your year, Rhonda Rae. Write your tale. Let me know how I can help.
Tina says
WOW-talk about drilling right down to the subject. I would say that my brand would be, clean, easy to read but something that makes you think. At least that is the writer I want to be. Perhaps I am still exploring.
marion says
Hi, Tina: Clean and easy to read are great goals. And what about content? What are your thoughts there?
Prathipa says
Hi Jeff,
You are a writer is available only in AMAZON on kindle. But i dont use credit cards, can you tell me a way to get the book.
In india Flipkart is very famous, but its still not available…
I want to read it immedietly…
Pls help me
Leanne Shirtliffe (Ironic Mom) says
I think it was through a tweet of Jeff’s that I came across you, Marion. Now I own a copy of your book and have recommended you as a future speaker for a west coast writing conference I attend annually.
Nice to see two great non-fiction people collide/collaborate…
My brand is humor writer, but can best be encompassed by my blog’s motto: If you can’t laugh at yourself, laugh at your kids.
Jeff Goins says
I love reading this.
marion says
Leanne: Your blog has become my new first place destination each day. You have caused me to spit my tea right onto my computer screen exactly twice, call a friend and read aloud from your blog more than once, and generally make me laugh my ass off. I would be thrilled and delighted to speak at a conference. Thank you for the recommendation. I hope it means I get to meet you.
Leanne Shirtliffe says
Someday we’ll all meet! At a conference. Thanks for the kind words, Marion. My screen is also spotted with tea and some other unknown substances thanks to my twins…
barbara says
I’m a Jeff Goins fan too. He is very direct and honest. I think my brand of writing is naked, honest story telling. I write about some ugly things from my past that I’m totally on the other side of now. When I’m not writing memoir I’m spouting my opinions. Survivors tend not to worry a lot about what anyone thinks of them. It’s freeing.
b
Jeff Goins says
Thanks for reading, Barbara. I’m a fan of honest (and when it needs to be, ugly) writing.
marion says
Barbara: Ditto. Honest is it when writing memoir. I am very intrigued by your comments about survivors. How fascinating. I look forward to reading more.
Cheryl says
I want to known as “My Grandma, the storyteller” I have been a scrapbooker for close to 15 years and now I want to write the stories to go along with those photos so my grandchildren will get to know me as a little girl, long, long before I became their grandma.
marion says
Cheryl: Drop the glue gun and step away from the scrapbook. Write your life. We’d love to read it.
Judith Henry says
I’ve discovered Jeff’s blog, thanks to your recommendation. He cuts to the chase about things and I appreciate that. My writing often reflects the gallows humor in life’s challenging moments. It seems to give other people permission to acknowledge those dark thoughts we all have from time to time. Sometimes all you can do is laugh.
marion says
Well said, Judith. Very well said.
elle says
-an average chick who aspires to fly without snagging the fence! I enjoy you both. i haven’t thought seriously about writing but I do want to have an above average blog.
marion says
Elle: Great aspiration. Go get ’em.
Sharon says
My writing “brand”: focused, clear, thoughtful. I aspire to add inspiring and deeply engaging to that..
Michael Ireland says
In my memoir, I intend to be MIKE: Meaningful, Interesting, Kind, Entertaining! (Because that’s my Name , and that’s who I Am.
Mary Hassell says
Read and loved by more than just my family and friends
Phyllis Ida Concordia says
I want to be warm, compassionate, and inspiring!
L'Tanya says
I’m developing into a writer who witnesses life, observing and sharing authentically.
toni says
THX for the intro to Jeff and his block-rockin’ blog. I love the boing of his jack-in-the-box writing. My brand? hope to find some direction with help from you all.
Jeff Goins says
Thanks, Toni!
Ellie O'Leary says
My brand? Terse, with humor.
marion says
Yes, indeed. You called that one right, sister.
Heather Marsten says
I’m in the process of writing a memoir about healing from abuse. It’s in first person and details the abuse I received as a child, my rebellious years, and finally what led to healing when all else failed. My hope is that it will inspire others who are hurting and help them realize healing is possible.
Anne Honzel says
I want to make a difference.
Bethany Parks says
My brand?
Bethany Parks, Chief Executive Officer of Me.
Stacy S. Jensen says
I hope my brand is just me — I don’t want to be anyone else. Just hard working and helpful.
Margaret Dubay Mikusm says
After healing from multiple sclerosis in 1995, I began to write a poetic journal. I write with the intent to heal, inspire, and support. To give voice to some insight, to speak for and to someone. I hope to shake things up–in a good way. To open possibilities that seemed beyond reach. I want to encourage others (and myself) to reclaim our power to create our new selves, our new world. I am honest and grateful. I strive for clarity and vision. Humor is an important component. As someone above said, sometimes in the dark times all you can do is laugh.
marion says
Hi, Margaret. Not sure why there is that typo in your name. Your goal, however, is clear. Go on and shake things up. What a great idea.
Margaret Dubay Mikusm says
Please correct my name spelling! Margaret Dubay Mikus Thanks!
RobertJulianBraxton says
RobertJulianBraxton
Readers Write
BOXES
four decades
three hundred
titles built
what could never
be replaced two
boxes contain
half a tux
half gown trans-
sexual
four decades / three hundred / titles built
what could never / be replaced two / boxes contain
half a tux / half gown trans- / sexual
#piect
in the pile
the cardboard
coffin deep
cultivate a
love of learning
must carefully
questions about
grandfather my
five year old son
in the pile / the cardboard / coffin deep
cultivate a / love of learning / must carefully
questions about /grandfather my/ five year old son
he was left to wonder:
to the wake or to the
funeral youngest son
new row
only
tombstone
Grandpa’s full
name date of
birth of death
he was left to wonder / to the wake or to the / funeral youngest son
new row / only / tombstone
Grandpa’s full /name date of/ birth of death
the stone
his head
lying
patted the
same way he’d
once patted
the boy pon-
dered the un-
knowable
left behind
flowers and
momentos
the stone/his head/ lying
patted the / same way he’d / once patted
the boy pon- / dered the un- / knowable
left behind/flowers and/momentos
on top of
the marker
the small rock
under dirt
and in the
box not cold
chocolate
and questions
no answers
@tombxtOnNET
on top of / the marker / the small rock
under dirt / and in the / box not cold
chocolate / and questions / no answers
#twigbud
Marcia Moston says
Inspirer–is that a word?
nancy nichols says
to write with psychological nudity…I love that expression!
marion says
Perfect. Such a redhead thing to say. Ha!
Rick says
Jeff Goins writes that “there must be a life behind the writing.” That is the dilemma.
How do you capture a lifetime in a brand? Just slap your name on it and see what sticks? The new media of blogging and podcasting opens the opportunities to pour a bit of your soul into cyberspace. Time to unzip the anxiety and let it glide to a safe landing.
Jeff Goins says
Hmmm… Interesting question, Rick. I think it’s impossible to express your whole life in your writing. But it is possible to make your whole life writing. And that’s the temptation. If all we do is write and never live, then we won’t have much to write.
Dee Matthews says
My job is to awaken possibility in other people-if eyes are shining, I’m doing it!
djsmith says
One woman. Travels alone, eats the food and lives to tell about it.
K Uraneck #thedisasterist says
Catastrophes, after all the screaming has subsided and the recovery has started, prove to be fertile ground for art, literature, music and images. I like to think of my writing as a mid-wife to this process.
Marcy says
Naturally timid and squeamish, but pushing myself toward adventure
Lisa Sypher says
My brand: Looking deeply, finding insight, revealing truths, capturing moments of beauty and ugliness, letting it all flow and be heard. –Somethng like that! That is a wonderful exercise. Wowza!
I’m loving your blog, and it’s awesome to find Jeff’s blog now as well. Many thanks for your work and inspiring wisdom! Your book is truly a wonder!
marion says
Thank you, Lisa. I am delighted you like the book. It was a joy to write.
Johanne says
My brand: Gentle humor found in living day-to-day and in family tales. Maybe we can learn something from laughter!
Tyler Hurst says
Will there be Jeff Goins tshirts?
marion says
Ooooh. Such a good idea.
Jody says
Happiness-Finder. :)
marion says
You can’t go wrong with that, though how does that translate out to us, the readers?
Anne Honzel says
Hi. I’m back. Perhaps you’ll recall. My sentence was, “I want to make a difference.”
Still do! But, today, for Valentine’s Day, I was reminded of the message that I intend always, “Open your heart. Laugh often. Live with ease.”
Thanks for your inspiration Marion! Happy Day :)
Heather says
“Writing for Christ” ~ That’s my brand, I think. It’s definitely my goal, and the theme of most everything I write.
Jeff Goins is a very talented and knowledgeable writer. I would love the opportunity to win one of his books!
Marshall P says
I am working to build my brand as providing a thinking analysis of scripture and the impact on people’s lives.
HOPE is the one word that I want to be at the center of everything I write.
Diana says
my brand–my blog–teacher/ librarian tips to make their lives easier!
my brand–my novel writing–making real life situations easily accessible for middle school students!
marion says
Ah, Diana: Middle schoolers and their parents everywhere thank you. Great goals.
Heather Marsten says
My brand is memoir and Bible studies.
I laughed at the pronunciation of Goins – I lived in Chicago and they used to pronounce the street Goethe – as Goy-thee.
marion says
Hi, Heather. Ah, love that little story. That’s great. Good goals for your writing. Go get ’em.
Stephanie Motz says
My goal is to share simple, real stories. I want to shed light on the hope, beauty and dignity that exists in some of the most dire situations imaginable, stand for justice and inspire others to act.
marion says
Hi, Stephanie: Keeping it simple and real is a fine path. Great choices.
Zara D. Garcia-Alvarez says
I think I’d like to be a subtle, but sharp writer. One literary enough that the language would be beautiful to read, but not “wordy” enough to irritate. I’d like my writing to be character driven and about ordinary, daily things except multi-layered with depth and possibility. I’d like my writing to be stark, especially at the end. I’d really like readers to enjoy my work, to experience it, and then be stunned—not by me, but by the value of the craft. I want to be the kind of writer of work that I, myself, would want to read…
Thanks for a chance at winning the giveaway, Marion.
Zara D. Garcia-Alvarez
Email: zgarcia.alvarez@gmail.com
Website: http://www.zaraalexis.wordpress.com
On Twitter: @ZaraAlexis
marion says
Hi, all:
What great replies!
The contest is now closed.
You have all done fine and difficult work on your brands. Since Jeff so generously offered to giveaway 5 each of his 2 great ebooks, I’ve randomly selected (using random.org) 10 winners. Here they are:
Anne Honzel
Stacy S. Jensen
Margaret Dubay Mikusm
Elle
Leanne Shirtliffe
L’Tanya
Heather Marsten
Rick
Marcy
Lisa Sypher
I’ll be in touch by email.
Congratulations!
marion says
Hi, Zara. These are excellent goals for a writer. I think I’ll read them aloud to my class this week. Thank you. Such wisdom.
Rhonda says
Congratulations to the winners…so sorry to miss out on this opportunity. I’m sure that Jeff’s book is a winner also. I’ll have to put it on my wish list. TY for the chance to win!
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kevin conway says
Brand? The title is “Confessions of a Wayward Baby Boomer” so when read I would hope that people would be intrigued by the wayward part.