Why No One Cares About Your Writing

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  • เผยแพร่เมื่อ 1 ธ.ค. 2024

ความคิดเห็น • 113

  • @WriteConscious
    @WriteConscious  หลายเดือนก่อน

    🚀 Want to WRITE better? Join my free writing school: www.skool.com/writeconscious
    📚 Book club, daily podcasts, and my writing: writeconscious.substack.com
    📕My Best Books of All-Time List: writeconscious.ck.page/355619345e
    🔥Want to READ my wife’s fire poetry? Go here: marigoldeclipse.substack.com
    🤔My Favorite Book: amzn.to/3zPeC04

  • @B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS
    @B.LEE.DbrianleedurfeeREVIEWS 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +43

    Hell most writers' family & friends wont even read their writing. When i was a good artist/painter everyone loved looking at my art...cuz it only required a glance. When i wrote novels and asked for anyone to read them...crickets. and more crickets. Bigger time investment. Being Trad pubbed by a huge NY publisher only moved the needle of interest with my family & friends slightly.

    • @rachmusic9873
      @rachmusic9873 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Brian Lee Durfee!

    • @burningdaylights
      @burningdaylights 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      That's gotta be liberating, in a way.

    • @CotySchwabe
      @CotySchwabe 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

      Bro, 100%. When I painted everyone was interested. As soon as I stopped and wrote, no one cared. Like 5 of my friends and family even downloaded/purchased my books. And I didn’t mind if they didn’t like it, but most didn’t even finish to tell me.

    • @VampireNinjaBunnies
      @VampireNinjaBunnies 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      It's really discouraging especially when you're young. My sister painted and drew, I wrote. Everyone always fawned over her art and was so encouraging. But nobody paid attention when I tried to show them a poem or a story. It's really tough to not think maybe you're just not that good when even your family doesn't care. I ended up learning to draw but I just love it the same way I love writing

    • @PauseFilms
      @PauseFilms 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@VampireNinjaBunniesI mean you’re asking someone to dedicate a lot of their time. And poetry isn’t as impressive for many people than a drawing or painting. I mean people can be supportive without actually consuming your media. Your family and friends should not be your target audience. They’re just there for moral support. The amount of friends and family that go “oh are you still doing that film thing.” And then move on. Most people don’t even like to read. It shouldn’t discourage you because again they’re not your target audience. Even successful artist say that their family is proud of them but never picked up their book. Don’t be discouraged. The point of writing is to write. That’s it. Hopefully you find your people. That’s all you can hope for.

  • @Gtoceanvibes
    @Gtoceanvibes 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +151

    Probably because I only write fan fiction about Transformers

    • @QEsposito510
      @QEsposito510 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Probably because the algorithms block my prolific use of racial invective and the ugliest of conspiracy theories.

    • @Phoenixzs1012
      @Phoenixzs1012 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Maybe you show Decepticons could be good transformers as well! :)

    • @graeme4413
      @graeme4413 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Does Starscream finally get Megataron?? I'd read that!!

    • @Gtoceanvibes
      @Gtoceanvibes 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@graeme4413 you’re going to have to wait till book 5 for the “will they or won’t they” conclusion

    • @Yokar_mova1212
      @Yokar_mova1212 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Say more, drop the link

  • @shawnlinnehan7349
    @shawnlinnehan7349 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +21

    The problem isn’t really authors if 4 million books are published. It’s readers. People do not read books for the most part. The vast majority of the public read nothing. Then the next swath of people only read one book a year, which is just going to be the latest fluff. The next ever smaller group of people read maybe one book a month. People who are doing Booktube channels and reading several books a month are a complete anomaly that publishers don’t even pay attention to because they don’t reflect any reality that can be marketed. I probably get through 20-25 books a year. I am in a very tiny minority of people and I don’t even think that’s a lot of reading, but I am busy with a small business, 10 employees and a family.

  • @jonathanmitchell9886
    @jonathanmitchell9886 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    I self-published a novel and wrote two stories that were published by small presses, but I didn't find an audience until I wrote a long true crime essay in my late forties. Things rarely go according to plan.

  • @RaniaFarislovesRoubi
    @RaniaFarislovesRoubi 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +29

    Franz Kafka, Fyodor Dostoevsky, Schopenhauer, Nitszche changed my life.... I write because I want to leave a legacy that I exist... I had accepted that I might not be a successful writer... but writing is like a diary to me... I just changed names and names of places but it was about me...

  • @dannyaglugub1643
    @dannyaglugub1643 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +26

    Fudge...I'm about to put out my first book..I don't expect to make money but I would like to think someone will enjoy it

    • @lloydb5595
      @lloydb5595 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      Ill read it 💪

    • @nathanhassallpoetry
      @nathanhassallpoetry 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      What's it about?

    • @dannyaglugub1643
      @dannyaglugub1643 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@lloydb5595 thank you for that. I will probably stick with my working title "Blackest of Black" by Danny Aglugub(me). Aiming to have it on KDP before the end of the year

    • @dannyaglugub1643
      @dannyaglugub1643 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@nathanhassallpoetry Historical fiction/Family Saga with intermediate theological theme. It is about a Humanist Literati of Renaissance France who tries to save his family and country from being split under religious persecution of the Huguenots.

    • @vastvideos7212
      @vastvideos7212 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Same here brother

  • @michaelchurch1324
    @michaelchurch1324 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +15

    I just put one of those 5000+ hour novels on Royal Road. It's doing... OK-ish. Not as fast as I hoped, but it's getting momentum. I'll probably be in position to release a physical copy-I agree, computer screens and phones aren't the best way to distribute literature-by late spring.
    The upsetting paradox of trad-pub-and yeah, even though they're losing their cultural relevance, they do suck up all the oxygen-is that you have to impress a whole wall of nonserious people to stand a chance of even getting to the few serious people.

  • @DelmarDaystar
    @DelmarDaystar 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    I’ve been editing my poetry book for the past 4 months and I’ve loved it. It’s coming out October 4th & would absolutely love for you to read it!

  • @nathanhassallpoetry
    @nathanhassallpoetry 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +11

    Some people might care -- but why should they care? What's in it for them? What experience is in your writing that makes it worth reading?
    I guess it is true no one will care about your writing as much as you do. But if your writing is good, there will be people that care. People say the same about TH-cam videos: no one cares until they do.

  • @CotySchwabe
    @CotySchwabe 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    What a great point. Most fiction is about the author. Most non fiction is about the reader. But emphasizing the point about transformation is spot on. You’re 100% right. I only recommend books that I personally found transformational (even some fiction, but rarely). And I love Cormac McCarthy.

  • @S.P.Witchell
    @S.P.Witchell 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    Deep into that manuscript peering, long I sat there, wondering, fearing, doubting, proposing prose no mortal ever presumed to pose before; But the word block was unbroken, and the videos gave no token, and the only words then written were the whispered words, “What for?”
    This I whispered, and a Tuber posted back the words, “What For?!”

  • @davidwalker9594
    @davidwalker9594 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I love your enthusiasm.
    The art we need to produce needs to the speak to the future. Write in a way that won't win the financial lottery, but in a way that will make your great grandchildren proud.

  • @P46430
    @P46430 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Love your channel. I have a novel I wrote I’ve shelved for a year because it put me in a spiritual crisis that it was more important to attend to than writing. But I’m pumped to get back at it now from a more resolved perspective, and hopefully convey that experience to others it could help.

  • @ZacharyThomasP
    @ZacharyThomasP 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    The comments on these videos are nuts.

    • @bradleyhardeman8644
      @bradleyhardeman8644 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Ngl the comment about somebody writing transformers fan fiction had me rolling laughing 😂

  • @ggmagnusssx
    @ggmagnusssx 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +9

    So you are telling me to go and write non fiction self helps books.???? Cmon Ian!!

    • @sproutswithjoy
      @sproutswithjoy 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      transformational doesn’t necessarily mean self-help books

  • @junechevalier
    @junechevalier 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    Back in the day people write and then get recognized, nowadays you get recognized first, and you HAVE to be, before you can sell your books. I'm releasing my second novel next month without an audience, but I'm hoping to hop onto SPFBO and get the recognition from there lol
    Wish me luck!

    • @daliblue_
      @daliblue_ 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      What's your first novel?

    • @junechevalier
      @junechevalier 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@daliblue_ First novel is called “Vile Artistry” and the one I’m releasing next week is called “Gotterhavn: Hecatomb’s Prize”
      Thanks for your interest

  • @CourteousKitsch
    @CourteousKitsch 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Your passion for writing is infectious. I think you put your finger on the pulse of why millions of books are published yearly these days, but interest in literature is in decline. It lacks that transformative nature. Good stuff!

  • @BlackMasterJoe89
    @BlackMasterJoe89 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I used to think I was a terribly slow writer. Hearing these legendary authors spend 5000 hours to revise is a comfort.

  • @vastvideos7212
    @vastvideos7212 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great points, but i still wanna push forward with my book .Im writing a sci-fi thriller novel with deep themes of philosophical arguments,compelling mystery,horrific circumstances, realistic future technology,and much more.

  • @salustianoberrios405
    @salustianoberrios405 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    I had a signing at Barnes and Nobles and put it all over social media and expected so much…didn’t work. Also, my brother writes those Little Golden Books at Random House. Thought that would help me, too-nope, lol!

    • @nathanhassallpoetry
      @nathanhassallpoetry 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      How did you go about marketing? I'm curious.

    • @salustianoberrios405
      @salustianoberrios405 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Marketing through Amazon ads and also Google ads. Considering a billboard. But frankly, I may order author copies and sit out on SoHo or 42nd … ive run the numbers and they look good

    • @salustianoberrios405
      @salustianoberrios405 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      @@nathanhassallpoetry Marketing online, mostly. Going to try a billboard, soon. But overall, I ran the numbers and think I can do really well sitting out on 42nd or Soho to sell my novels.

    • @PauseFilms
      @PauseFilms 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Help you with what exactly? Signing at Barnes & Nobel… what do you mean it didn’t work? Aren’t signing for people who already have a fan base? Did they or the publisher host it? Are you chasing fame? I’m so confused. What’s your goal? Cause I was taught very early on that if you’re chasing fame or money, you’re in the wrong profession.

  • @WeirdTale
    @WeirdTale 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I worked part time in between jobs and studies with no social life on several short stories fanfictions and my Weird Fiction Novel. Basically thid video reveals that it was all for nothing and dad is going to shoot himself once he finds out and I basically allowed my passion for reading and Fantasy, Sci-fi, and comic book fiction ruin my life further after I couldn't keep paying to study engineering because I didn't want that student debt...
    The unions sure don't want me and I still have a ways to go to be in shape for construction and I am 32. I am done.
    Because the literary and entertainment writing is too saturated and even if I do get published I likely won't get more than 8 grand per book I write. Which means I am going to have to crank out three every month.
    I don't even know if my work can even count as transformative because of it's archaic horror inspirations and even then it's about raging in vain against a hostile immense universe that crushes people and civilizations as a consequence of its natural laws rather than intention.
    I screwed myself by trying... I always try... It always ends the same... I HAVE JUST DAD AND A CAT ONCE THAT IS GONE I HAVE NOTHING!!!

  • @AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor
    @AnnaMaledonPictureBookAuthor 21 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I think you're right. If I look at my sales the best-selling books are the ones which are helping with something, filling the need. The ones which are entertaining don't sell very well even though if people do buy them they like them. Word of mouth works for selling books, that's why TikTok recommendations and BookTube recommendations work and transformational books are very likely to be recommended. If a transformational book helped one person who read it, they would assume it will help others too and recommend it.
    I write mostly picture books and poetry. I haven't published poetry yet, I'm just gathering the material. I write about different topics, and some of it is "self-help" kind of poetry. I've been trying to avoid it, but it just keeps popping up. I didn't want to write poetry that advises people, but I noticed that such poetry does exist and some people like it. You may not like Rupi Kaur's writing but some people claim she helped them, so there you go, you don't even have to be an excellent writer to transform people's lives. Let's do this!

  • @malignantavian8393
    @malignantavian8393 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Yeees! Words can't describe how hyped I'm for the Writing School. Love this channel. 💜💜

  • @MaxVinopalDev
    @MaxVinopalDev 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +10

    Interesting that you put GRRM into literary fiction. For me it would go straight into the entertaining category.

    • @WeirdTale
      @WeirdTale 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

      Exactly. It's shlock. It's entertaining shlock. But it actually isn't as deep as it pretends to be.

  • @lampyrisnoctiluca9904
    @lampyrisnoctiluca9904 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I just now realised that I always wanted to be that sort of a writer - a transformative one. I want to write for kids, the kind of books that would make them question things at an earlier age than it is now falsely considered appropriate.
    For example, it is now totally fine if a character in a children's book dies a gruesome death, but not if another book lets the same kid realise his or her own mortality and how it influences everything. That problem goes far outside the literature. It has become fashionable for parents to treat their kids like they are half of their real age. 4 year olds are treated like a 2 year olds should be, 8 year olds like a 4 year olds should be, 16 year olds like the 8 year olds should and when those kids grow up this kind of parents will be guilt tripping them for not acting "mature enough".
    I remember one teacher talking to us like we were much younger and more immature than we really were. We all hated her for it. I can't imagine what it does for a child if the parents and majority of the teachers are doing it. Children like to be treated like they are more mature.
    I was once surprised as to why are the kids liking me so much. Then I realised I was one of the very few adults who did not baby them nor talked down to them. That is also the problem with kids books now days. The writers are either babying the readers or undervaluing their intelligence with this kind of prose. This is why the kids love to read the books about the children who are older than they are. Twelve year olds are more into reading the stories about the sixteen year olds, not because that would make them feel more mature, but because the 12 year old characters are acting like they are 8, while the 16 year old characters are acting like twelve year olds with a heightened interest in the opposite sex.
    As someone who is into treating the kids like they are more mature than other adults do in real life, I shall also treat them that way as a writer. So, my characters shall be more mature. 12 year old characters should have the maturity level of a 12 year old living child and not a 8 year old living child. That way the real life 12 year olds will not have to be forced to read about all those to them quite boring nuances of a sexual relationships just so they could read about the characters who are around the same level of psychological maturity as they are...
    I have much more to say about this, but it would be a waste of time to write it all down here. I'll write it down somewhere else instead.

  • @person405
    @person405 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    See, this is what happens when stories no longer focus om themes and values, which are universal.

  • @HenrySosenite
    @HenrySosenite 27 วันที่ผ่านมา

    I can tell you exactly why my writing wasnt successful
    Deep down, I hated doing it. I'm more consciously aware, now, that I actually loathe sitting and writing for more than a few paragraphs or so
    In fact, ive always loathed reading, too. But that's harder to admit, especially after reading hundreds of books (and probably a couple dozen 1000+ page novels)
    The only time writing was fun is when i was in a writing group, i.e. a contrived way of getting people to read and respond to me

  • @josephpratt723
    @josephpratt723 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    He gives 'Twin Flames' energy but I love it.

  • @andypowder2146
    @andypowder2146 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    List of transformative books to read?

  • @armondeushon7892
    @armondeushon7892 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Your starting to really pique my interest. I have subscribed and look forward to your knowledge and literary words.

  • @JV-vy8ke
    @JV-vy8ke 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Great commentary and very frank.

  • @i3eh1
    @i3eh1 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    author's egos lol they just have a sly grinning twitch, honestly we're psychopaths

  • @sweetviolents29
    @sweetviolents29 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Man, that’s so true about literary short stories on screens. If I like the first paragraph I’ll print the webpage and stick it in a binder. I tell myself it’s okay to kill the tree because now I can keep it and reread it later.
    I’ve maybe reread three of them lmao

  • @MrSteveyz
    @MrSteveyz 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I try to write with two thoughts, is this the best version of this story that this story can be? And is what is written down going to add value to the reader's life in any way. If the answer to either of these questions is no, then the book is not done to me. Idk if it needs to be 5000 hours of editing, but certainly, there needs to be standards of what should be acceptable to be published.

  • @bsven6336
    @bsven6336 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Couple topics you might have fun making vids about:
    Iceland's writing scene--more writers/readers per capita than any other nation on the planet.
    &
    How Cory Doctorow gives all his stuff away open source in addition to traditional publishing.

  • @mangledtapes
    @mangledtapes 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    So ready for writing school 🫡

  • @AJPzaworld
    @AJPzaworld 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +3

    Because I’m a nerd 😞 (I am the greatest thing to have walked this earth and all shall kneel before me)

    • @HeyMykee
      @HeyMykee 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      We have a lit-head over here.

  • @carrion-vj1yz
    @carrion-vj1yz 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Robert Anton Wilson and Philip K. Dick changed my life.

  • @Sonder4444
    @Sonder4444 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +4

    The works that transformed me are Berserk and Bojack Horseman. They are concerned with some of the most fundamental aspects of life. Tragedy, suffering, trauma, the search for meaning, and so on. I think something really needs to be emotionally profound to affect and transform someone on a deeper level. Can't wait for the skool to open, keep up the good work brother.

    • @profbjork
      @profbjork 26 วันที่ผ่านมา

      gayyyy

  • @heyall3914
    @heyall3914 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I admire your passion for Literature

  • @krunkle5136
    @krunkle5136 2 วันที่ผ่านมา

    Carefully pick your publishers and authors, and tell other readers to stop buying from slop merchants.
    AI and fake reviews make this difficult, which is why the internet sucks.

  • @rdm3990
    @rdm3990 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    - bark! bark!

    • @ekurisona663
      @ekurisona663 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      somebody needs to use that for a title god dammit

  • @BlackMasterJoe89
    @BlackMasterJoe89 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I'm very interested in the Transformative category. Do you have videos on how to do that? And is it possible for a book to be both literary *and* transformative, or entertaining *and* transformative? Thanks for the video. Bark, bark.

  • @breeeegs
    @breeeegs 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    What about books that are literary, entertaining, and transformative?

  • @kenpawn5876
    @kenpawn5876 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    I can hear the truth of your words. I have a transformational story that I have spent over 10 years on. I am interested in your workshop, As I both want to learn and teach voice.

  • @DirkHelnerus
    @DirkHelnerus 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Which Books are transformative except Infinite Jest?

    • @nenyeo6090
      @nenyeo6090 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

      Infinite Jest isn’t the only transformative book. Books that are transformative will be personal to you. That depends on what you’re going through at a certain time of your life and a book that speaks to you in a way that you didn’t know was possible. Infinite Jest is personal to this content creator. Read widely. I’m sure you’ll find something.

    • @DirkHelnerus
      @DirkHelnerus 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

      @@nenyeo6090 That was a very good answer. Thank you!

    • @nenyeo6090
      @nenyeo6090 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      @@DirkHelnerus you’re welcome🖤 go forth and discover more books.

  • @philipmcluskey6805
    @philipmcluskey6805 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    thankyou.

  • @TheVioletWolf
    @TheVioletWolf 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Real talk.

  •  2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    It’s cool if you don’t see this, or even answer it Ian. But I just bought some more books today, and I grabbed the heart of darkness. Have you ever read it? Just curious.

  • @apope06
    @apope06 9 วันที่ผ่านมา

    5,000 hours = 208 days. So basically edit your manuscript for a year.

  • @L_For_Literature
    @L_For_Literature 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    I guarantee you there are a few sentences in my book that I’ve revised longer than people have the entirety of their books.

  • @slaptoe6459
    @slaptoe6459 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Lets gooooo

  • @aliceberethart
    @aliceberethart 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Write a good book, get a publisher.
    Write another. Write another.
    Keep going.
    Write another. And another.
    Write five more.
    Aaand... have you written 10 books yet?
    No?
    Keep going.
    You're not gonna get anywhere on a single book unless you're really lucky.

  • @nenyeo6090
    @nenyeo6090 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +2

    Really, we’re putting George RR Martin amongst great writers 😂 and it’s literary now 😂. Nah, it’s just entertaining, fun cheap entertainment🤷🏾‍♀️

  • @deancorso6693
    @deancorso6693 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +6

    Rupi Kaur is the modern Cormac McCarthy.

    • @graeme4413
      @graeme4413 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

      Seriously!!!????

    • @burningdaylights
      @burningdaylights 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Is she?

    • @breeeegs
      @breeeegs 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

      Nobody is comparable to him. Better to just be yourself

  • @jeffreysalem2735
    @jeffreysalem2735 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    This got me pumped!

  • @Phoenixzs1012
    @Phoenixzs1012 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +5

    "I don't vote ,I don't care about politics (Hence ignore it's impact on other people especially poor)" also me "Please read me, care about my writing" :) I don't think these should exist mutually :)

  • @LynnMoore-c6f
    @LynnMoore-c6f 2 หลายเดือนก่อน +1

    Arlie Prairie

  • @hpbecraft
    @hpbecraft 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    MICRO GENRE TOM BIRD AWAKENING

  • @ozzie8821
    @ozzie8821 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Preach on brother

  • @LivioSegnini
    @LivioSegnini 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Preach!

  • @RJGilman1967
    @RJGilman1967 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Guaranteed.

  • @subjectZero023
    @subjectZero023 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    To be, or not to be. That might have been the question once. I am now to old to care - that is my poem I will sell it if anybody is interested $1000

  • @LayneMercer-o3u
    @LayneMercer-o3u 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    •spittingfire•

  • @CINEMARTYR
    @CINEMARTYR 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    🔥

  • @NOPE.S.P.
    @NOPE.S.P. 2 หลายเดือนก่อน

    Vitruvia 144... Experience the end of reality, and transcend into what's next. Read this book and you will be transformed. Your life begins when you wake from your oblivious slumber with a dream to realize.
    Awaken. Wonder. Experience more than the objective world. Slumber no more. Open your mind. Manifest the dreams within you. Evolve.
    (& find a hidden message in this text for smirking rights)