A Diary of a Writer

8 Years Later: My life after cancer

TSFranklin — Thu, 18 Feb 2010 17:59:01 +0000

Eight years ago my life perspective changed. A lot. Facing death will do that to you….And not in a cool way, like jumping from a plane or wrestling with alligators.

It was 8 years ago this month my doc broke the news I had testicular cancer. Not exactly what I expected at 26. I was the picture of health. Hell, I’d never even been to the hospital save for a few stitches in high school.

So to hear that cancer had taken over my body was a shock. I was invincible, how had death come knocking at my door? It was unexpected and I didn’t completely understand when I first heard him use that big “C” word. I approached it in typical “guy” fashion – I just wanted to know how to fix it. Of course, when he told me the fix, it became a little more frightening. I never cared much for knives…….

After the surgery, I spent the next 5 years getting my blood drawn and tested every week, enduring monthly CT scans, and having the docs make me blush once a month. But it was worth it, because today, I can say I survived thanks to their efforts. There was a lot more that was involved too, but I’ll be honest, I don’t want to share all yet.

What I do want to share is that over the last 8 years, I’ve changed quite a bit. For example, I really don’t like hospitals – you’d be surprised what they’ll take if you let them give you some happy juice! But seriously, cancer did make me pause a bit and rethink where I was going with my life. I know that sound cliché, but you find that clichés have a bit of truth behind them….That’s why they’re used so often.

It wasn’t necessarily immediate, but after being diagnosed and then during the healing process, I realized that climbing the corporate ladder faster than the bloke next door wasn’t as important as spending time with my family and friends. I realized that what is important is the smell of my kids’ hair after a bath. The cool mountain air of a camping trip. The sounds of an owl calling in the night. The time spent with family around the dinner table.

Trust me, in 5 years no one will remember you putting in the 80 hours each week at the office to finish some rush project. But I guarantee that your kids/family will remember the memories you build with them for a lifetime.

Today, I live for the memories I am creating. Pointing my BMW’s handlebars through the twisting corners of the Sierra Nevadas with my cousin and his wife. Motorcycle trips with my folks to parts unexplored. Taking the kids to a movie or even just a bicycle ride around the neighborhood.

I’m not saying I wouldn’t have done all this if I hadn’t seen death a little closer than I wanted. But I do think that I’ve paid a little more attention to the actual experience and set a little more of my time aside for the memories.

Marc Warnke, a good friend and mentor wrote in his book that love is spelled T-I-M-E. Well, thanks to amazing advances in medicine, the prayers of family and friends, a God who felt I needed a little more time on earth, and my own refusal to quit, I have a little more love to share.

To everyone who has made a difference in my life, who has supported me at every step, who has made my experiences possible: Thank you.

Until next time,

~T.S. Franklin

Dear 2010: Bring it!

TSFranklin — Mon, 04 Jan 2010 19:34:20 +0000

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

What Have I Done?

TSFranklin — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 15:30:25 +0000

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….

For the first time since I graduated colege in the late 90’s, I will be without a regular paycheck. And though I’m scared out of my mind, I couldn’t be more excited! Why? Because for the first time, I can be my own person, make my own schedule, set my own hours, shoot, I can even make every day casual day!! Of course, that may mean 70 hours a week and eating beans and rice for a while, but what I do will be my choice, my creation.

So what am I doing? Well, technically this is the diary of a writer, but since my novel is still in it’s infancy, I am not relying on that – YET! While the book continues to progress, I have joined the Urban Agent Team in Boise, Idaho as a licensed REALTOR (R). “What?!!! Haven’t you heard about the housing crisis,” you ask? Well, as a matter of fact, I did, and that’s why I’m not just joining any team. I will be working with a group of creative individuals that aren’t just rockstars in real estate, they’re rockstars in creating a brand image for both their business and their people. They’re tattooed, pierced, and brilliant at what they do. It’s rare to find someone in Boise who is on Twitter who hasn’t heard of Urban Lindsay or Urban Nick. They’re successful, they’re connected, and I am honored to be part of their team.

So while I do my best to bleed some ink onto the novel’s pages, I’ll be looking to sell you a home. Keep in touch with me on Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, email (travis at urbanagentteam dot com), or even the old fashioned telephone (208-870-2459). And someday, when I’m on the New York Times Best Seller list, you’ll tell all your friends “I once bought a house from that guy.”

~T.S. Franklin

Twitter FollowFriday’s

TSFranklin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:44:43 +0000

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

Short Stories

TSFranklin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 20:54:13 +0000

I’ve played around for quite a while with several short story options – from pirates to stories of my youth to simply random tales. But I haven’t really spent a lot of time sharing them. But short stories are a great way to have a little fun and step away from the darkness of the novel. They also offer my mind some good writing exercises. For the next few months I’m going to try and post at least 1 or 2 short stories each week. Some may stretch over a few episodes, others just a few quick paragraphs of fun. I’ll keep you all posted!

Until next time,

~T.S.

Book Review: Seed of Hope by Quinton Wall

TSFranklin — Thu, 18 Jun 2009 20:50:58 +0000

By far, the best part of being involved in the social media scene – specifically Twitter – has been networking with people I never would have met before. Sure, I get some great information and resources for my day job, but it’s the people that I enjoy most. And yes, those of you who know me personally can laugh at the irony of that. Anyway, as an aspiring writer who desperately needs motivation, I especially enjoy following the struggles and accomplishments of authors – both new and published.

One such writer I’ve enjoyed is Quinton Wall, the author of the breakthrough fantasy novel The Seed of Hope. Set in a world hidden within our own Earth, Seed of Hope is the story of Charlie Parker, a boy whose magical talent is stolen from him and the quest he and his friends take to return what was rightfully Charlie’s. Along the way, they must battle evil forces seeking to stop them and take over the source of the talents as well as cope with the dark heart of one of Charlie’s companions. The full summary and other great information on Seed of Hope can be enjoyed here: http://tr.im/oYeV.

I have to admit, it’s been a while since I read a fantasy novel – the last ones being the Dragonlance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman back in the early 90s. Despite that, I found myself immediately drawn into the genre again by Wall’s masterful storytelling and the depth of the plot and character development. Some of the conversations between the children seemed too forced and I would have like to see more emotion around an early death, but remember, Seed of Hope is targeted toward young adults. And regardless, within minutes of beginning to read, I was sucked into the story, its heroes and its villains. I was fighting side by side with them, feeling their pain, their fear, their excitement.

Throughout the book, Wall does an exceptional job detailing the scenes and the plot flows smooth and fast. The action scenes and the discovery each character makes of their magical talent were the most riveting sequences of the book. His development of the villain, hero, and even the supporting characters made them easy to relate to and I understood each action they took because of the effort Wall took explaining their background.

This has been a great read, and if you enjoy authors like Weis and Hickman or the Harry Potter series, you need to pick up a copy of Seed of Hope. My only warning? The 2nd book in the series isn’t finished yet and you’ll be chomping at the bit until it is!

For more information on Quinton Wall and his books see:

www.quintonwall.com
www.twitter.com/quintonwall
www.facebook.com

Until next time,
~T.S.

What It’s About

TSFranklin — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 23:34:43 +0000

As more and more people find out I’m working on a book, I’ve been asked more and more what it’s about (imagine that). Anyway, last night, I worked up a quick storyline, similar to what you would see on the back cover of a novel. It’s rough and has some things that need adjusted, but this is what my book is about.

Until next time,

~T.S.

Ultimate Escape

TSFranklin — Tue, 13 Jan 2009 05:21:37 +0000

You know what I find so beautiful about books – fiction especially? During the time we’re lost within those pages, we are no longer subjected to the daily problems of life. It doesn’t matter if our bills are paid on time; the reprimand from your boss no longer bothers you; you don’t care who is president or what the stock market did today. For a few precious moments, all you care about is what happens in the next paragraph.

A well written book will draw you so deep into the life of the character that you become them. Five minutes becomes an hour and before you know it, half of your day is gone. Several books have had this effect on me, from any of the Robert Ludlum books to the most recent Brad Meltzer series.

But one of my all-time favorites — which I haven’t read since I was a teenager — were the Dragonlance series by Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman. The tales told of elves and knights, of another world….I would get lost for hours, often reading an entire book in one day. I felt their love, their hate, their pain. For those blessed hours, it didn’t matter what my friends thought of me, or that my heart was broken. All that mattered was finding out what happened next.

As I write Hand of Justice, I find myself feeling those same stirrings in my soul. I’m not lost for hours yet, but I’m able to experience life through another’s eyes. I love it, and I want more.

Until next time,

~T.S.

Words of Wisdom

TSFranklin — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 22:22:13 +0000

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:

*******************

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.

Joan: What is the story about, then? The ark?

God: Well, I think it’s a love story about believing in each other. You know, the animals showed up in pairs. They stood by each other, side by side, just like Noah and his family. Everybody entered the ark side by side.

Joan: But my husband says God told him to do it. What do you do with that?

God: Sounds like an opportunity. Let me ask you something. If someone prays for patience, do you think God gives them patience? Or does he give them the opportunity to be patient? If they pray for courage, does God give them courage, or does he give them opportunities to be courageous? If someone prayed for their family to be closer, you think God zaps them with warm, fuzzy feelings? Or does he give them opportunities to love each other?

*******************

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

Until next time,

~T.S.

File 13

TSFranklin — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 17:45:29 +0000

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.