What do you do when things don't go as planned in your creative journey?

In this episode, Freddy Cruz dives into the world of failure and resilience through his experiences as an author. He reflects on his radio career and transition into writing, starting with his debut novel, When America Fell Silent. Cruz shares the harsh reception and algorithmic challenges he faced.

Moving to his second book, They Canceled The DJ, he talks about publishing hurdles and industry misconceptions.

His third book, Allow Me to Ruin Your Christmas, presents its own struggles, including the sudden death of his editor and subsequent publishing errors.

Listeners will hear about Cruz's decision to adapt by narrating his book for free as a podcast. He highlights the parallels between writing and podcasting, emphasizing the need to navigate unforeseen obstacles. And he underscores the importance of persistence and mindset in overcoming setbacks.

Key Takeaways

1. Failure and setbacks are part of the writing process. Freddy Cruz experienced various forms of failure, from poor book sales to harsh reviews and even a publisher going out of business. These experiences underscore that setbacks are common and should be anticipated as part of any creative endeavor.
2.  Adaptation and resilience are crucial in the face of adversity. Despite significant challenges, such as an editor's sudden death and a publisher dropping his book, Freddy Cruz adapted by turning his book into a free audiobook podcast, demonstrating that resilience and flexibility are key to moving forward.
3. Independent authorship comes with full responsibility. Cruz emphasizes that as an independent author, he holds ultimate responsibility for his work, including the errors that occurred during publication. This highlights the importance of owning your journey and learning from every experience.
4. External factors can significantly influence one's success. Cruz describes how external factors like unfavorable algorithms, industry perceptions, and even timing affected his book's success. This illustrates that not everything is within one's control, and external influences can have a large impact.
5. There are universal challenges across different creative fields. Freddy Cruz draws parallels between writing, podcasting, and other forms of artistic expression, noting that all these fields face common obstacles that must be navigated. This speaks to a broader understanding that persistence and a positive mindset are essential across creative disciplines.

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