Writing Your Own Story

Speaker Abstract (PDF)

As an indie author, I strongly believe in backstory. So please allow me to introduce my new keynote by its backstory. At events and readings over the twelve years since I released my first novel, I’ve been asked one question countless times: “How did you get started?”

Beyond curiosity, what’s behind the question is vulnerability. Here's a different way to ask the same question: "How can I push past rejection, doubt, and fear of missing out to achieve my own creative and career goals?" How I answered that question for myself is in my new keynote talk, Writing Your Own Story.

During this interactive session, I invite the audience to connect their personal purpose with their professional action. Using storytelling, participants learn how to clarify their values, reframe setbacks, and make intentional choices about creativity in their work and personal lives. Here is one key theme I share as an indie author:

I chose to believe the characters telling me yes

more than the people in power telling me no

Writing Your Own Story works well as a Lunch-and-Learn for a staff development session, an ERG gathering, or a team retreat. I’d love to schedule a discovery call. Feel free to reach out to me by email david@davidjaycollins.com

I look forward to speaking with you soon!