MasterMinding With My (Mostly Dead), Yet Still-Funny Friends
According to Wikipedia: "A mastermind group is a peer-to-peer group used to help members solve their problems with input and advice from the other group members."
I've heard the term through several books on a variety of subjects. Mostly it seems to be recommended for salespeople and entrepreneurs. But the idea was mentioned in a book I was skimming through about writing.
The book suggested that you don't have to actually know the person. They don't even have to be alive. The idea is that if you imagine what your literary heroes might do with a particular topic, it helps spark ideas in your mind.
Gathering The Troops
So I spent the morning thinking of who I'd want to come over and help me in the writing arena.
I came up with 7 people who I'd just love to pepper with questions.
Only David Sedaris is still with us. I was surprised by how many of my heroes are dead. I'm not even going to let myself think about what that says about me.
But even if they were alive, as Mr. Sedaris is, they may not be all that open to coming over, sitting around my office, and offering advice on making these posts better.
But even if they were alive, as Mr. Sedaris is, they may not be all that open to coming over, sitting around my office, and offering advice on making these posts better.
Consequently, I'm left to ask the question in a more imaginary/philosophical sort of way. I made a graphic with pictures and quotes of my favorite comedic writers.
My Mastermind Group
What Would Erma Do?
I sat around this afternoon looking at these faces and reading what they wrote. Then I tried to work on a few topics I've been thinking about lately with these people in mind.
Some of these folks gave quite a bit of advice about writing itself. Others simply led by example.
So far, I'm not getting a lot of feedback. Maybe that's a good thing. If I reported on elaborate conversations with dead people, I might start to get a reputation.
Or maybe they will actually whisper in my ear eventually, but first want to get to know me better. I mean, it's pretty rude to just say: "Tag! You're now in my MasterMind group. Now you've got to give me all of your best ideas."
They're probably in some fabulous literary afterlife chatting with Shakespeare and Hemingway. Or happily typing away because, in writer heaven, the ideas come easy.
They're probably in some fabulous literary afterlife chatting with Shakespeare and Hemingway. Or happily typing away because, in writer heaven, the ideas come easy.
Still, there's a chance they might take pity on a mere mortal suffering from a lack of ideas and talent, and throw some crumbs my way.
It could happen.
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Daily Hits of Happy
-Silly wordplay jokes such as this one:
Q. Why did the can crusher quit his job?
A. Because it was soda pressing.
-Unknown - from www.laughfactory.com
-Sweet Mother's Day messages (Evil Stepmother's Day, as it's known around here. lol)
-Making it my job today to read funny quotes by funny people. Not a bad gig.
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