CBS News Sunday Morning Show -- Oscar Sunday

Are we rewarded when, rather than run and hide, we choose to face our fears and own our own story?

I'm one to answer with a resounding yes! This latest reward, however, far exceeds any gift I've ever imagined. I remember maybe ten years ago, a publicist chiding me for not thinking big enough. Then, I couldn't have even taken in the opportunity recently presented to me. After taking years to understand what she meant and to begin breaking out of the box I'd locked myself in, even now, I float along the surface of this life-changing gift.

Someone on the CBS Sunday Morning Show team read a blog post, Are Negative Reviews a Form of Bullying?, I'd sweated over, stalled to write and stalled even longer to post. The post about the negative effects of negative reviews, criticism and judgement is personal and was difficult for me to own. That those words and that effort landed before a producer… I have no words.

We speak on the phone and after he asks me questions pertinent to his vision of the segment, he explains how he and the woman to interview me and a camera crew will fly out of NYC to SF, rent a car, drive to Santa Cruz, tape, drive back and take the red-eye home to NYC all in the same day. He mentions a bit about the filming and I assure him I'm comfortable in front of the camera thanks to videos I film for my vlog, How Do I Plot a Novel, Memoir, Screenplay?. He says he knows, that he's watched them all. I had no clue at the time we filmed on a lark that the videos would prove such an asset.

A friend on Facebook made the comment "gasp!" Honestly, every time I actually think about the actual event, what's exactly been offered to me -- a thrill bubbles over me and I gasp…

For an opportunity to speak about the effects of negative self-talk and critiques and rejections have one writers I know and work with feels like the most incredible gift. (I'll post more details about the big event as I learn them!)

*****NEW
Advanced Picture Book Workshop using the Plot Whisperer Workbook: Step-by-Step Exercises to Help You Create Compelling Stories
I recommend writers of all genres and all ages take at least one picture book plot workshop. Narrows all plot concepts down to 28 pages and 500 words for clarity. Join me live and online for 4, 6, 12 video plot chats.

If you'd like more, sign-up now to reserve your spot this spring in the WRITER'S PLOT RETREAT in the heart of the Santa Cruz Mountains and read my Plot Whisperer and Blockbuster Plots books for writers.

Success Demands Action: Writing a Story From Beginning to End Demands Self-Confidence

He's an international sensation, houses in five different countries, a TED host and a successful non-fiction journalist. He falters when considering his fiction. Having worked with him in the past on developing the plot for his now completed suspense novel, he calls for another appointment. Double-thinking the job his agent is doing pitching his novel, he asks for help establishing his "brand" in support of his novel and developing a plan to create an on-line presence in hopes of impressing editors and publishers as an expert in the field covered in his novel.

We speak and, like the first time we consulted on his novel, he again resorts to fearful self-talk about what others will think, his image and reputation, uncertainty, low energy and self-doubt. For one so externally successful, I  feel for the inner turmoil he suffers. Sensitivity to past rejections fuels a lack of self belief. He finds real difficulty in recovering from criticism, negativity, setbacks no matter how small.

Reminding him of his past doubts and ultimate accomplishment -- having written from beginning to end an incredibly exciting novel in a relevant and compelling setting about issues in the news today, he's shocked. He doesn't remember expressing the exact same doubts when starting the scary proposition of revising a complex novel as he's expressing now when starting the scary proposition of building a brand.

The less we dwell on his fears and doubts and more on establishing a concrete and measurable plan, the  less fearful and doubting he is as he sees the steps leading him from uncertainty to confidently moving in the direction of his goals. His inner story of fear and uncertainty is replaced with the realty of his success, what he's shown he is capable of and together we weave for him a new story filled with possibility.

He's not the first writer I've worked with to doubt himself. Over the course of my career as the Plot Whisperer, I’ve learned quite a lot about the structure of stories and even more about the influence our inner stories have over every success and failure we experience in life.

Success demands action. A plan, a pre-plot, a Plot Planner keeps you grounded and directs your actions toward success. Re-imagine the stories you tell yourself about the way life operates and become the person you’ve always dreamed of being.

*****NEW Space available for our Concept, Logline, Pitch Workshop . Have a bunch of ideas but not sure which one to write? Have a completed manuscript and ready to start querying and pitching to agents and editors? Literary agent Jill Corcoran knows concept. I know plot. Join us live and online .

If you'd like more, join me at an upcoming a writers conference, picture book workshop , middle grade and young adult intensive , and WRITER'S PLOT RETREAT and read my plot books.