Dare to Create. Dare to Write.

"Boldly go where no one has gone before."
~ Star Trek


Creative artists are innovators. Creative artists are trailblazers. Creative artists go where others dare not go.

Your job as a creative artist is to write what yearns to be released from you onto the page. Not as others have done it in the past. Not as others tell you to do it. But as only you can: with your unique history, style and voice.

Don't write what you think you should. Write what you must. Write it as only it can be written. Write it now!

How can you be more daring your writing today?
How can you be more daring in your life today?
How can you blaze new trails and go where no one has dared to go -- in your writing and in your life?

• Read/listen to more writing inspiration from Mark David in The Voice of the Muse book and companion CD or on one of his radio or in-person appearances

• Work with Mark David directly, one-on-one or in a writing class or workshop

The Muse & You #4: Radio for Writers and Readers...with Mark David Gerson

Episode Four ~ Thursday, Oct 15, 1pm ET

(listen to the archived version now)
• Ask the Writing Coach (your questions for me about writing and creativity) and a feature interview with Kristin Bair O'Keeffe author of Thirsty



My first introduction to Kristin Bair O'Keeffe was a few months back on Twitter, where I learned she had amassed this weird and wonderful collection of writers' quirks and eccentricities. "What a fun opener for one of my shows," I thought at the time.

But when I learned more about Kristin, I knew she was more than an opening act.

In addition to her quirky collection, the Pittsburgh native has been living in Shanghai since 2006 and has just published the luminously lyrical Thirsty, a historical novel set amidst the gritty, fire-breathing steel mills of 19th-century Pittsburgh.

During this month's feature interview, Kristin shares her stories about China and Pittsburgh, talks about her writing process and revels some of her quirks, as well as those she's picked up from other writers -- like the one about the writer who wears heavy headphones, not for the music and not to block out extraneous sound. "They just help me focus!" the writer told Kristin. We'll also be looking to hear your peculiar writing habits!


"Thirsty is a rare and special type of book—an intelligent page turner, a forward-thinking historical drama, a picture painted with equal shades of light and darkness."
~ David Crouse, author of The Man Back There

"A beautiful tale, vivid and gently told."
~ Don De Grazia, author of American Skin



During the first segment of the show, I'll offer some writing tips and inspiration and take your questions about writing and the creative process and about me and my books, The Voice of the Muse: Answering the Call to Write and The MoonQuest: A True Fantasy.

Please tune in, and bring your questions and quirks -- for me and my guests!

There are three ways to ask questions of my and my guests or to post comments:
• Post your questions in the show's chat room (free Blog Talk Radio account required)
• Post your questions directly to me on Twitter (@markdavidgerson)
• Post your questions directly to me on on my Facebook wall

The Muse & You, a production of Red River Writers, is all about writing and creativity, and it's for writers and readers alike -- an opportunity to listen to writers and creators of all sorts talk about how and why they create and, of course, about what they create. It's also an opportunity for you to ask your questions -- of me during the first segment of the show, when I offer writing tips and inspiration, and of my guests during the interview portion.

Listen to The Muse & You on the third Thursday of every month at 1pm ET (10am PT). November guest will be Dan Stone, author of The Rest of Our Lives

The Muse & You Show Archive
If you miss any live broadcast, you can listen to the archived episode, which is available shortly after each show on the show's web page. You can also download any show directly into your computer for later listening.

• #3 ~ Sept 17 — Joanne Chilton and Jeanne Ripley co-authors of Wings to Fly

• #2 ~ Aug 20 — Jared Lopatin, author of Rising Sign

• #1 ~ July 29 — Julie Isaac, founder of Twitter's #writechat, and Malcom Campbell, author of The Sun Singer and Jock Stewart and the Missing Sea of Fire

Join Me In a Global Conversation on Writing This Sunday

I wasn't expecting to be guest-hosting #writechat again quite so soon. (I just hosted it this past Sunday.) But I've been asked again, so please join me once more on Twitter on Sunday, Oct 18 for this live (and lively) real-time chat about writing, as aspiring writers and published authors come together to talk about what they do.

If you're on Twitter, simply access it however you normally do. Then open a new browser window to http://search.twitter.com. If the link didn't already do it for you, type the hashtag #writechat in the search bar. This will bring up all tweets that include that tag.

Make sure all your tweets also include #writechat, which will allow others to read your tweets.

If you're not on Twitter, you can sign up at http://twitter.com.

Regardless, if you're not already following me on Twitter, please do: http://twitter.com/markdavidgerson.

By the way, my calendar of upcoming book-signings, classes, workshops and other events is always posted on my page at booktour.com.

(Julie Isaac is the regular host of #writechat.)

Living a Creative Life

If you're looking to live a more vibrant life, you can't do better than to listen to Spiritual Coaching, a weekly online radio program from the Unity online radio network hosted by Rev. Carla McClellan of Unity of Independence, Missouri.

Mind you, I'm not entirely objective. I just appeared on Carla's show on October 6, and it was one of the most fun interviews I've ever done. We talked about writing, creativity, spirituality and life -- and it was so enlightening, inspiring and entertaining for both of us that we've agreed to have me return monthly, on the second Tuesday of each month (4pm ET).

For now, though, please listen to this week's show...and post your thoughts and comments below!