Below is the eighth in my 31 day writers series; each day I feature a different writer and ask the same three questions. Today I feature non-conformist Chris Guillebeau, a world traveler based in Portland. I have never met Chris nor have I ever spoke to him.
When yesterday's contributor Katrina Simeck learned about my March writers' project she suggested that I read Chris Guillebeau's blog.
I wanted to connect with an interesting writer who I had never met, and Chris fits the discription. He seems to have his hands connected everywhere. I imagine him as a combination of an octopus and Verizon's "can you hear me now guy."
There is a chance I might meet him soon, since he "lives" in Portland, and I will I visit Portland next month for the Journalism Education Association's National Convention (JEA). At JEA conventions, I usually lead a couple workshops about visual story-telling and assist with photo critiquing, and I intend to do the same in Portland. As for meeting Chris, he and I are optimistic that we will meet some day. Chris is optimistic, and a good read.
There is also a chance that Chris will not be in Portland. He might be visiting another foreign country on his list. Chris has a goal of visiting every country by April 2013; so far he has visited more than 120 countries.
(By the way, I took these photos the last time I visited Portland.)
Below are Chris Guillebeau's responses. If I meet him next month, I will photograph him and file an update.
1. Why do you write?
Partly out of compulsion. Partly because I'm not really good at anything else, aside from business (and I don't want to do business full-time). And partly out of the aspiration that something I write will go on to live a life of its own and impact the people who care enough to read it.
2. What motivates or inspires you?
All of the people who read. I meet them all over the world and they also send me nice emails every day. Many of them have much more remarkable stories than me, so whenever I notice that someone particularly interesting is reading, I tell myself, "Self, it's time to step it up a little."
3 How do you get past writer's block?
I don't really believe in it. Have you ever heard of plumber's block? A plumber usually gets up and goes to work whether she wants to or not. Why should it be different for us writers?
Now, on the other hand, I do struggle with "internet block" where I spend so much time online that I convince myself I'm working, but at the end of the day I don't have much to show for it. That seems to be the writer's block of my generation.
Chris Guillebeau's website
Art of Non-Conformity Site: http://chrisguillebeau.com/
140-character version: @chrisguillebeau
bf
I'm excited to uncover this great site. I want to to thank you for ones time for this fantastic read!! I definitely savored every part of it and I have you book-marked to check out new things on your website.
Posted by: ผลบอล | October 23, 2013 at 09:24 AM