Can Words Really Change The World?

I think so, and thousands of readers agree with me

So I’ve started a Substack called Change The World With Words. I’m working with a new-to-me platform and I’ll be asking for patience as I find my feet. As I’ve already admitted to my Twitter followers:

Hopefully I won’t make too many mistakes this week. I mainly just want to welcome you to the community and address the name of it. Yes I believe words can change the world. I often throw around the Marty Feldman quote:

“The pen is mightier than the sword, and considerably easier to write with.”

Because it’s true. Well-thought out words have changed more minds and hearts than brute force. And writing is easier than going to war. You can do it from the comfort of your own sofa, in your fluffiest socks, while drinking tea. Which is definitely how I usually do it.

My first ever Wordpress blog was called Change The World With Words, and like most people’s first ever Wordpress blogs, it didn’t stick. But I recently started dwelling on the concept again, and then I wrote a Medium story about it. It got thousands of views, lots of engagement, and well over 100 surprisingly positive comments, which I took to mean it kind of resonated with people. Maybe we’re all ready to be (at least part of) the change.

So here I am, back writing about how your words can change the world, or at the very least your readers’ lives. There’s no detailed plan, but in the coming weeks I’ll likely be:

• Sharing tips, thoughts and resources to help you write with impact, tell the stories that are important to you, and just generally build a body of work you’re proud of.

• Highlighting awesome writers in every niche and genre who have had – or are having – an impact on my world.

• Occasionally summarising great books with deeply important messages.

• Trying to balance my natural British reserve and need for privacy with a few personal insights that will help you get to know me better.

• Making the type of mistakes everyone makes on a brand new platform (apologies in advance).

Some high value posts I want to share with you this week:

• How To Fall Back in Love With Your Own Writing -

  David McIlroy
  and
  Kristi Keller

• Why I Own So Many Writing Sources -

  Istanbul to Miami, A Writer's Life

• 11 ways to make writing a book easy -

  Alex Mathers

• My FREE Roadmap To Self-Publish Your e-Book On Amazon (Without Spending A Fortune) -

  Veronica Llorca-Smith

• Tips for Writing a Fantasy Book -

  Allie Michelle

• What artists in their 90s are teaching me -

  The Creative Shift by Dan Blank

• Grading Your Future Self -

  Chris Guillebeau
  (Spoiler Alert: You got an A - you just have to work out how)

And in case you’re interested in what else I’ve been up to this week, I’ve mainly been:

• Reading: The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo – A recommendation from my daughter that I didn’t think I’d like, but I do

• Watching: The Eras Tour on Disney+ (isn’t everyone?)

• Enjoying: My daily Notes From The Universe (I feel like they’ve been spot on this week)

• Not enjoying: Rehabbing my frozen shoulder

Want to read that article on Medium I mentioned.? Here it is:

How To Make A Difference With Your Writing