Crossing The Chasm

I find myself not at a crossroads with my writing, but on one side of a chasm.

Using the chasm as a metaphor, the left side of it that I'm on represents my talent. Over the past three years of writing on Forbes (and another three or four writing on my personal blogs and LinkedIn), I've been able to develop my writing skills completely self-directed.

Take a look at my first post ever on Forbes. A good first try, right? Could have been better.

Now take a look at my 100th post.

There's a difference.

I've come a long way. I like the writer who I've developed into, and I'm excited for the writer that I will become.

But to become that writer, talent needs opportunities. As much as my talent has been nurtured, it needs to be challenged.

Forbes doesn't have any challenges left for me. I've said that my 100th story for the online publication represented everything I ever wanted to write in a story. Hitting 100/100 stories was a personal milestone of mine for the longest. It feels good to reach that goal.

I have nothing left to prove while writing for the prestigious publication.

This is why I'm writing on Forbes less and Founder to Founder more. Founder to Founder is the next step for me in my growth as a writer.

One of the marks of a great writer (or any creative generally) is one that can attract an audience on the basis of their work alone, and not because it appears in a certain venue or associated with prominent brands or institutions.

In my particular case, I realize that people read my writing because it appears in Forbes.

I want people to read my writing because Frederick Daso has penned it. Growing the readership of Founder to Founder is my attempt to go from being a good to a great writer.

Crossing the chasm means I've accomplished this feat.

The right side of the chasm represents opportunities. The opportunities that will help me further develop my talent as a writer lies on the other side.

Founder to Founder is the bridge that will allow me to cross the chasm. It will take time, as all great writers know.

James Baldwin says it best:

Something that irritates you and won’t let you go. That’s the anguish of it. Do this book, or die. You have to go through that. Talent is insignificant. I know a lot of talented ruins. Beyond talent lie all the usual words: discipline, love, luck, but most of all, endurance.

If the last few years of writing have proven anything, it's that I have the patience and endurance to go the distance.

I'll see you on the other side.

Soda