Brain Picking Sean Platt, He’s Finally Up to Bat

November 13, 2008

Ok, that’s my pathetic attempt at rhyming for Sean’s sake. Sorry, it was painful for me, too.

Picking the Brain of Sean Platt, Writer Dad

Sean Platt (AKA Writer Dad) has taken Blogopolis by storm with his endearing prose and crisp cadences. His gentleness and love for his family and community shine through his writing in a world that often values brashness and looks out solely for number one. (To put it poetically, he’s a breath of fresh air, tinged with the scent of Daisies. Ok, I still suck at this prose stuff.) I was hooked the first time I read his words.

His blog caught fire like dry kindling and soon drew the attention of the “Big Bloggers”. Sean has had a few important guest posts and has several more scheduled at top secret big time websites that you won’t want to miss.

Getting to Know You, Getting to Know All About You

I’ve gotten to know Sean over the last few weeks (as much as email allows), and I can honestly say he’s a genuinely nice guy with huge amounts of natural talent. We are honored that he would agree to this interview. Sean was the first writer I approached, and the first to agree (in like 2.4 seconds).

We started this series because of a deep burning need to find out how top bloggers developed and improved their unique writing styles. Sean answered the same three questions as the other awesome bloggers to keep it consistent, short, and sweet.

What writing habits do you practice daily?

Writing my posts is the most consistent writing I do, besides private journaling about my life and family. I’d love to pull far enough ahead to where I have a bank to pull from, but now that would be difficult. I pen my posts the night before, then publish first thing in the morning. Daily exercise was the impetus to start.

Right now, writing is stuck somewhere between calling and career. I carry a notebook wherever I go, and have them spread in every room in the house. I also have a small digital recorder that I carry. My children call this (aptly) the “Story Maker.” I’m constantly writing inside my head, and am always eager for the moments I have to drain my thoughts. Sometimes this just means transferring notes to relevant files on the computer. Large blocks of time are a rarity now, but in three months, I’ll be writing full time. I’d love you to ask me again then.

What is your process for improving your writing?

When I write, I don’t hold back. I never labor sentence by sentence. I let the words spill, then I bring a mop to the revision. I probably lose a third, but I write fast and never feel bad about what I lose. They’re words; I can always make more.

What books or blog posts have influenced the mechanics of your writing the most?

That’s difficult. Here’s three. Copyblogger’s always to the point with sensible advice. Zen Habits taught me that one speaker could gather a large following in a relatively short period of time. Men with Pens showed me swagger.

As far as books, all of them. I have no memory of learning to read. It was a gift given early. The first big book I remember reading was the Hobbit, at six. I’ve read thousands since, and they all gather together to render me into a better writer. The poorest among them probably had more to do with me picking up a pen than the good ones. About a year and a half back, I read a few rather mediocre children’s books. I found myself thinking, “I can do that.” I started writing soon after.

“I let the words spill, then I bring a mop to the revision.” Sean, you’ve written some of my favorite words on the Net. Anyone can teach, few can inspire. You inspire others to experience life and reach for their dreams with your prose. Thanks for taking the leap of faith into the world of blogging. It’s not so scary once you get used to the water.

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Posted by Jamie | Filed Under Blogging

Comments

Writer Dad

James: I appreciate all of your been there, done that words of wisdom. Thanks for taking the time to help a good puppy turn into a great dog.

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Redbook… An Excerpt</abbr>
James Chartrand - Men with Pen

@ Sean - I could fly a Boeing 747 with the coffee I drink. Or paint my house with it, whichever comes first.

No one can predict the moment of eruption of a volcano, my friend. There are the warning signs, the impending signals... and all you can do is brace and guess.

When you realize your muscles are stiff, you haven't eaten in four months, the damned thing hasn't blown yet and you need to go to the can, I'd say it's pretty safe to take a decision to either drop some vinegar and baking soda down that hole or go try and find a tsunami instead of a volcano.

<abbr>James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last spectacular blog post..Interview with Pen Man #3: Charlie Pabst Goes Naked</abbr>
Writer Dad

James: I've got most of that going, especially the coffee, and brain games are my favorite kind. I'm constantly asking myself what's working and what isn't, and using reader feedback to refine my writing, fuel my confidence, and sharpen my game. I've done a lot more floating than I'd like, but I've only been online for four months, and just slipped through one of the biggest transitions of my life. I'm ready to fly, and I thank you and Harry, along with Brian Clark and a handful of others for setting a high bar to reach for.

How do you know when something is ready to erupt, if you can't see it because magma only bubbles beneath the surface? Where do you find the space between premature abandonment and staying in Pompei too long?

And by the way, with all you've done I'm sure your brew is more like a few smashed espresso beans, swimming in a pool of gasoline (probably diesel).

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Bright Ideas</abbr>
James Chartrand - Men with Pen

@ Writer Dad - Confidence, swagger, cockiness, determination, lack of sleep, long hours, critical analysis of what has potential to work and immediately stopping what doesn't, and no floating.

I think the last is crucial. So many people float and wonder, "What am I doing? How can I get there? Is this working? I don't know what to do..." And they just keep on doing the same thing.

No. Test, try, observe, analyze, push, stop, do... it's a brain game. But it's all about action and never stagnating.

I think. It could also be lots of coffee...

<abbr>James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last spectacular blog post..Interview with Pen Man #3: Charlie Pabst Goes Naked</abbr>
Writer Dad

James: How did you do it? You made it to the top without burning yourself out, or Blogopolis down. That's mighty impressive. Plus, you've got just about the best crib to boot.

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Bright Ideas</abbr>
Writer Dad

Sorry I missed you Sal. I should have refreshed the page before I hit submit. Your imagination is not too far off. Thank you as well for being a constant.

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Bright Ideas</abbr>
James Chartrand - Men with Pen

@ Sean - Infernos are good. Don't burn down the blogosphere, though. That would wreck my plans of virtual world takeover.

<abbr>James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last spectacular blog post..Your Chance to Learn How to Make Money Online</abbr>
Writer Dad

Lance: If you weren't there in the beginning, then it was only like a day later. Thanks for being a constant.

Wendi: I saw Jamie hiding behind the bushes over at Itty Biz. I'm with you. I can't seem to write a post well ahead of time. They feel like old bread.

James: Writer Dad is still in its rough draft. Honestly, that's the way it will probably stay for another month or so. I've only been freelancing for a week now, and I must give that my full attention. By the end of the year, a few of the flames I've been fanning will turn to inferno. WD will change, in a good way, and I don't believe my surprises will disappoint.

Jamie: Thanks as always. I can't wait until you can see the color of my wings.

<abbr>Writer Dad´s last spectacular blog post..Bright Ideas</abbr>
Sal

For some reason, whenever I hear (or read for that matter) about Sean writing, I picture him leaning over his notebook and....BLEEHH. That was the sound of word vommit. Standing up, taking a look at the mess he just made, grabbing a "mop" or an eraser, or sharpie or something and going to town cleaning it all up. Sticks the still unfinished product into the oven, i.e. Daisy's mind, to let it set up, and when it comes out he has a magnificant pot that is useful for holding water and comments alike.

I know, I have quite a creative immagination, but thats what makes me special.

<abbr>Sal´s last spectacular blog post..I WIN</abbr>
Jamie Simmerman

Lance, There's just something about his writing that draws you in. It has been great watching him evolve his writing. I can't wait till he finds a heaping load of confidence, look out then!

Wendi, LOL, sadly I am here, no partying today, too much work and studying to do. Tim says perhaps I am down the back of the couch or soaking up sun on a beach somewhere, so let's pretend, shall we? I feel the same way about posting ahead. I like to be available to inspiration. But sometimes I have so much to say it's best to spread it out a little. :D The gift of gab...

James, you swagger like a pro.:) I think right now Sean writes as a compulsion. He's finding his way and has the talent to make it big. It's fun watching him find his footing and direction. Kind of like watching a caterpillar morph into a butterfly. That's my take anyway, it may be off.
James Chartrand - Men with Pen

Haha! "Men with Pens showed me swagger." Damned if that wasn't a fantastic line to read this morning!

I'll agree with one thing: Writer Dad is caught somewhere... somewhere. I have yet to figure out what the blog's purpose is. A refreshing personal journal? A thoughts on a blog place? A guy going to teach us something?

It's very cool that Sean gained a huge following in such a short time. What I'm curious about is what's coming in the future. Hm hm!

<abbr>James Chartrand - Men with Pens´s last spectacular blog post..Your Chance to Learn How to Make Money Online</abbr>
Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Insp

How funny, I go to Sean's house...no Sean.. there is Tim instead. .I come to Jamie's house...find SEAN! Where will I find Jamie? at Tim's house? I guess I'll have to go there next to see who shows up!

Nice post Sean/Jamie,

It's always fascinating to take a glimpse inside another writer's creative brain and see how things are churning about. I don't write very many of my posts ahead of time either. And when I do, I almost never post them, they don't seem fresh or relevent somehow. It's almost like I say...hmmmm..what do I feel like chatting with the world about today..

and then I start writing...

<abbr>Wendi Kelly-Life's Little Inspirations´s last spectacular blog post..Are you Planning for the Fog?</abbr>
Lance

Great stuff Jamie (and Sean)!

I don't remember when it was that I discovered Writer Dad - but it was early on in this young but illustrious chapter he was on. And it has been a ride so worth being on - experiencing words written, stories made, and really pen and paper coming to life.

Sean, you have a gift for writing - continue to share that with the world!

<abbr>Lance´s last spectacular blog post..Believe In Yourself</abbr>