These are crazy times and I see so many people around me looking for something, anything, that has meaning right now. That gives them a sense of purpose, something to look forward to.
It’s why I decided to shake things up a bit and do another interview before sharing what I’ve learned about writing and publishing this month. Bradley Charbonneau opens the doors to his month-long course Spark again in April, and I didn’t want anyone to miss out on this opportunity to join him.
Especially not those who are stuck at home with their kids, who could use some real inspiration right now.
What is more, Bradley kindly created a 25% discount code for Spark (or any of his other courses). Just go here and use the code WORDSMITH when checking out.
Now let me introduce the man!
Bradley Charbonneau has written and published twenty-one books but what really makes the hair stand up on his neck is when he gets kids to write, to share their story, to open up, and then to make it even better? When people stop talking and start listening to them. Kids have imaginations like no other beings; help them share their story. He’s written five books together with his two sons and two more with his twin nieces—and he’s just getting started.
Spark
Hi, Bradley! Tell us a little bit more about Spark!
Spark is about building a better relationship with a young(er) person through co-creating a book together in a month.
How is Spark different from everything else out there? What does it add?
Photos albums are great, weekend trips away together are super fun, but this is going to bring out emotion, story, and goes deeper because it involves writing, telling, storytelling, and letting your message come out of you—or your child—that’s possibly been trapped for a long time.
If nonfiction, it’s going to build self-confidence (showing you’re an ‘expert’ in something) and help you formulate your ideas and learn to share them in a way that helps others.
Why did you start the Spark movement?
Demand from parents who wanted a better relationship with their kids, who were searching for a ‘time capsule’ that captures this time when their kid was ___________ (eight years old, fourteen years old, etc.) and set it in stone forever.
P.S. You can’t say, ‘Oh, I’ll do it later, when she’s twenty-four.’ Nope, that’s going to be a different book.
Who will benefit from Spark?
Although it seems the focus is on the kids, the parents are often the ones who quietly benefit. They have a profound memory of a ‘project’ they did together with their kids that no one can ever take away from them. It’s more than that photo album, it’s a part of them.
In my dream world, I’d love for people to do this annually. Imagine how different the books would be from a kid who’s ten and then eleven and then twelve and then thirteen.
What is the best writing advice you were ever given?
Writers write.
That’s it.
But there is more!
Bradley doesn’t only offer Spark as a course, there’s also the book and the podcast. Go check it out, become part of the movement, and Spark!
(The Teachable links in this post are affiliate links, which means I receive a small percentage if you join Bradley’s course through these links.)