Aaron, thank you for those encouraging stories. I have one -- almost 50 years old -- which is actually a good thing, as you will see. In 1976 I was recently married and was studying a book by an author, Joyce Landorf, whom I learned would be signing books at a local store. I went to the event, and being a shy and awkward 24-year old, I hung around till everyone else left to tell her how much her writing meant to me. I guess I was truly awkward because she turned the conversation to the subject of weather. (The last bastion of an uncomfortable conversation.)
Here I was with this famous author, and she mentioned how Mormons had been helpful in a recent flood event in her area. I'd previously told Joyce I was an author and hoped to write as well as she did. At this point I mentioned I had been a Mormon but had recently left that church over doctrinal issues.
"You're an author and you haven't written anything about that experience?" she asked. Then she said, "I have an editor who would love to talk to you." At that point I gave her my address and phone, excused myself and left, thinking that was a very kind kiss-off.
Long story short -- an editor was indeed very interested in what Joyce told him. And out of that conversation came a book that was published by Zondervan (HarperCollins) and, remarkably, has stayed in print 46 years.
Taleb says, “You make forays into the future by opportunism and optionality…Look for optionality; in fact, rank things according to optionality.”
This is one of the top 10 things I hope to pass on to my kids before they leave the house in the next few years. It has made a huge impact on my life personally, when I discovered this truth, somewhat accidentally.
Aaron, thank you for those encouraging stories. I have one -- almost 50 years old -- which is actually a good thing, as you will see. In 1976 I was recently married and was studying a book by an author, Joyce Landorf, whom I learned would be signing books at a local store. I went to the event, and being a shy and awkward 24-year old, I hung around till everyone else left to tell her how much her writing meant to me. I guess I was truly awkward because she turned the conversation to the subject of weather. (The last bastion of an uncomfortable conversation.)
Here I was with this famous author, and she mentioned how Mormons had been helpful in a recent flood event in her area. I'd previously told Joyce I was an author and hoped to write as well as she did. At this point I mentioned I had been a Mormon but had recently left that church over doctrinal issues.
"You're an author and you haven't written anything about that experience?" she asked. Then she said, "I have an editor who would love to talk to you." At that point I gave her my address and phone, excused myself and left, thinking that was a very kind kiss-off.
Long story short -- an editor was indeed very interested in what Joyce told him. And out of that conversation came a book that was published by Zondervan (HarperCollins) and, remarkably, has stayed in print 46 years.
My PS -- do let me know when you want pitches :)
Great story
Taleb says, “You make forays into the future by opportunism and optionality…Look for optionality; in fact, rank things according to optionality.”
This is one of the top 10 things I hope to pass on to my kids before they leave the house in the next few years. It has made a huge impact on my life personally, when I discovered this truth, somewhat accidentally.
Great post. Hilarious postscript.