A Diary of a Writer

Typically I scoff at the people who make New Years resolutions – I mean really, have you met many people who have stuck w/ their resolution for more than a few weeks? Think I’m wrong? Go check out the gym parking lot today, then again in 3-4 weeks. I’ll bet you a cup of coffee it’s dropped by a third if not more!

But on the other hand, there are times in our life we need to accomplish something new or different, and what better time than right now to do that? So instead of mocking the masses (okay, I’m still going to do that), I’m going to set 2 major goals this year: 1) Make my real estate business successful, and 2) Have a 1st draft completed of my novel. Obviously, these are pretty broad, but the sweet part is that I can measure the success of each as well as add simple tasks that will give me a way to hold myself accountable. For example, for the real estate business, I need to have at least 24 transactions this year to survive, but my personal goal is 36. On the novel, I need to get my lazy ass in front of the computer more often – and not just for Twitter/Facebook – and slam out some work!

My two goals are pretty simple, but both are life changing if accomplished which is why I am so focused on them right now. Obviously, the success of my real estate gig means I can pay the bills, fill the kitchen cupboards, and (if the right house sells) pick up the new motorcycle (it will be red by the way). But even more than that, it proves to me and others that I can do it on my own; I can take a challenge and win. Completing the book will also change my life – even if it doesn’t imediately see the light of a publishing house – because I will have proven to myself it was more than just a dream, it was something that was in me, perhaps even what I was meant to do. And if the stars align, maybe some day it will get picked up – even if I have to write a few more first! By the way, did you know that J.K. Rowling’s novels about Harry Potter were turned down by major publishers? Now look where she is…

So 2010, you’re going to be mine. I’m gonna kick your ass…..

~T.S. Franklin

You read the stories in the papers every day: Unemployment numbers are on the rise, the economy is scary, people are losing their homes….So who in their right mind would leave a solid job with benefits and a bi-weekly paycheck? Well I just did….

On Twitter, FollowFridays have become a bit of a mess. For you non-tweeters, FollowFridays are how many of us suggest to our Twitter friends other people we follow. But as you’re limited to 140 characters, you don’t have much chance to explain why, and so it has turned into a little bit of a cluster fu…Well a big mess.

Anyway, Jen Harris, Boise’s social media genius pointed out that a blog is a great way to explain some of your suggestions in a more enlightening manner. Obviously, I can’t suggest all of my favorites in one blog post, but here are a few executives that I enjoy following: So here goes my #followfriday suggestions:

@JenHarris09 – I think Jen gets a #followfriday nod every time from someone, but hey, there’s a reason! Not only a great person, Jen has an exceptional knowledge of social media and how to best use it. Ping her to find out how she can help you or your team take advantage of this technology! (www.caffeinatedmarketing.com)

@MichaelHyatt – Michael is the CEO of Thomas James Publishing and arguably the most positive CEO I’ve encountered. His use of the social media space – specifically Twitter and blogging – is very powerful. He reminds me of Dan Stevens – former CEO of Home Federal Bank in Idaho and the greatest person I’ve ever had the opportunity to work for. Humility, knowledgeable, kind, the adjectives can go on but are best summed up by the simple word: Leader. (www.MichaelHyatt.com)

@hwy12 – Mark Solon is a partner in the Idaho venture capital group Highway 12 Ventures. Not only does he make me chuckle with smart ass remarks and snide comments, but he also shares some extremely valuable insights into leadership and entrepreneurism through both tweets and blogs. Plus, his company offers a unique (in my opinion) take on how they manage their CEOs and companies. (www.highway12ventures.com)

@schlanghole – Tony Schlangen of Wirestone provides an excellent example of how an ad agency executive makes his company successful. He is actively involved in the community, very supportive of his team, and – at least from what I see – seems to have created a very open culture within their agency. (www.wirestone.com)

@jamiecooper – Jamie runs my favorite Boise ad agency. I’ll be honest – I’m biased after having worked with Drake Cooper since coming to Boise. Jamie is very involved in the Boise community, active outdoors, and a dedicated family man. These factors, along with his positive attitude really seem to make Drake Cooper shine. Just check out their work! (www.drakecooper.com)

Finally, though I’ve certainly not made even a dent in all the exceptional friends and people I enjoy following on Twitter, @Idaho_Airships for my last #followfriday – Leo Geis has made an amazing name for himself in the aerial photography business. His clients include major corporations like Walt Disney, the NFL, and the Olympics! But even though he spends much of his time in the air, he is one of the most down to earth guys I’ve met. One tweet will be an awesome shot he’s taken, the next a hilarious jab at someone. (www.idahoairships.com)

Alright, that’s my list for this week. I know I’ve left off some amazing friends/executives, but hey, we’ve got a lot of Fridays left

Until next time,
~T.S. Franklin

It was Sunday evening and I had just tucked my little ones into bed for the night. Though we’d had an amazing weekend together, I had also had some personal lows. Nothing that wouldn’t work out in time, but I’d been thrown into a bit of a funk.

I tried to relax on the couch with a good book, but couldn’t really get my mind to focus on what I was reading. When this happens, I usually turn to my favorite vice – television – and this evening was no different. Not a whole lot was on, so I checked out what recordings I had on the DVR. Looking for something brainless and funny, I decided to go with Evan Almighty.

The movie was good for a few laughs and some much appreciated bathroom humor, but it also provided some words of wisdom. God (Morgan Freeman – who by the way, does a great job of portraying the God I picture in my mind) is sitting down with Evan Baxter’s (Steve Carell) wife Joan (Lauren Graham) talking about the challenge her family is experiencing:

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God: I love that story, Noah and the Ark. You know, a lot of people miss the point of that story. They think it’s about God’s wrath and anger. They love it when God gets angry.

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Anyway, those words hit me hard, especially the answers to prayer, and I thought it worth sharing.

Until next time,

~T.S.

I sat down last night to work on some plot development and decided several sections of my materials need scrapped. They simply don’t follow the plot line and will throw me off if I try to work them in somehow.

I had a hard time hitting the “delete” key. In fact, I made sure to save a backup in case I change my mind. As I lay in bed thinking about deleting the old pages, I realized how life has plot lines that are equally challenging to delete. We bring baggage into relationships that distract from how we want our chapters to go. We would find ourselves much happier if we could just find the delete key for chapters/pages of our lives.

Anyway, that’s my deep thought for the day. Merry Christmas to all and have a safe New Year.

~T.S.

The media ran a story yesterday about a 9-year old’s letter to Santa (http://is.gd/bYID). Normally a fun and wonderful experience, right? Not for this little one. Her request was simple: Please make her relative stop touching her and her sister.

My heart broke for that little girl and her sister when I read the story. It seemed everyone in her life had failed to protect her, so she turned to Santa – a mythical figure she probably doesn’t believe in any longer – to save her.  I cannot begin to understand the loneliness she must have felt to think that was her only option.

There is no justice in today’s legal system for someone like this. Jail isn’t enough, death is too easy, and the fires of Hell are too late. I wish that Hand of Justice was more than an idea for a book.

~T.S.