The Secret Formula

Whether it’s a way to make killer grout cleaner or homegrown Coca-Cola, folks are always looking for secret formulas.

The book business is no exception. Many eager writers spend a lot of time searching for a magic method that will make editors and agents swoon.

As in…

WIZARDS! You've got to have WIZARDS in your book!

Get real! You need a BLOOD-SUCKING BOYFRIEND!

Man, I would give my left arm for a great ZOMBIE plot!

Well, you've got the “arm” part right – ARM the TEENS with WEAPONRY!

Meanwhile, the editors and agents I've heard always say something completely different.

They say —

Create with your heart.

That is where you will find YOUR voice.

That is where you will find YOUR story.

DO NOT chase after the trends.

Yeah, they say smart stuff like that.

And when they do, I think they’re actually telling us a big part of that super top-secret formula.

Because when you dig deep and create with your heart, you are sure to create something that can come from only you…

Something wonderfully new.

Would you like to see an example?

It's called "Isaac's Live Lip-Dub Proposal" and you can view it here.

Go ahead. I promise that it will be worth your time.

And I'll wait until you get back.

Awesome, huh? Ordinary people. Doing something extraordinary.

I love it Every. Single. Time.

Did you notice Amy’s response as it all unfolds?

That’s the best part.

She’s demonstrating something amazing, you know —

the other half of that secret formula.

The only formula you will ever need…

Creativity + ♥ = JOY^∞

PROMPT:  I KNOW you've got creativity. Now add lots of heart. Mix well with a Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! And guess what? A whole heap of JOY shows up.

Trust me, it cannot resist.