Gifted Underachievers

A recent road trip by Gifted Underachiever Pat led her to some thoughts on how far we can go in using other people in our art. Can we base characters or story events on people we know and things we’ve seen happen to them?
If yes, what are the limits? If we change everything just enough to make it impossible for our inspiration to recognize themselves, is that okay?
We say sure, why not?
Questions for Listeners:
* If you found details of your life in a novel by someone you knew, would you freak out or would you understand?
* Have you ever used someone else’s image or circumstances either to create your art or to make it better?
* If yes, was there any fallout?
For Further Exploration:
Author Accused of Using Classmate’s Story: https://www.thedailybeast.com/writer-amy-griffin-accused-of-using-classmates-sexual-abuse-story-as-her-own
Show your support and get a free book!
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 100 coffee angels will get a free guide!
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This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Waaaayyyy back the Gifted Underachievers stated their delusional goals for the next three to five years. Let’s see how things are going.
Pat: Win the Booker Prize.
James: Receive a call from the Nobel committee for the literature prize.
So far so good. No phone calls yet, but we remain hopeful.
Questions for Listeners:
* What is your delusional goal?
* What are your goals?
For Further Exploration:
Show your support and get a free book!
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 100 coffee angels will get a free guide!
Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No cost, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Halloween can be the black licorice of holidays: Not everybody loves it but those who do, really, really love it. And for many of them, it’s all the creativity that can go into Halloween, the costumes, decorations, haunted barns, and on and on.
This then leads to the question: Is Halloween the most creative holiday?
Questions for Listeners:
* Does your creative adjacent work get in the way of your creative goals?
* How do you feel about that?
* What are your goals?
For Further Exploration:
Show your support and get a free book!
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 100 coffee angels will get a free guide!
If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No cost, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.

Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Originally aired in August 2024 and back by popular demand…
Pat and James begin using low-cost merch to drive high-value social media marketing (Hint: “Can you find our coaster or sticker in your city?” as an Instagram meme), but things go a little awry on Pat’s first couple of merch drops.
Questions for You:
* How do you market yourself as a creative?
* Have your promotional efforts every backfired?
* What’s the best marketing you have ever done?
Segment Links:
The amazing Theremin Man:
More Fun Links:
Worst Guerrilla Marketing Fails
What is Guerilla Marketing? Examples?
Guerrilla Marketing for Music
Jaw Dropping Guerrilla Marketing Ideas (check out #4!)
Proof of Concept: GU drink coasters on the Drive!
Support the Underachievers AND get a free book!
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 100 coffee angels will get a free guide!
Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No cost, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com

Many creatives engage in creative-adjacent work—editing, teaching, commissions, etc.—to make a living utilizing their respective creative skillset. Often, too, we do this work to gain entrance into not just the creative economy but also the creative world we want to be part of.
However, these creative-adjacent careers can take on a life of their own as the paid work crowds out the capacity to do the work we really want to do.
In this segment, we float out the premise that to succeed at any of these supposed “side hustles” requires an incredible amount of dedication, skills-building, and time.
Is this true? Or is finding time, bandwidth, and capacity simply what creatives must navigate no matter how we earn a living? What other options exist for us to earn a living from our skills in the absence of wild creative success that brings money and time?
Perhaps the bottom line is we are fortunate to be able to do what we do and make a living at it. Nevertheless, we consider what we can do differently to create more creative capacity without giving up income.
Questions for Listeners
* Does your creative adjacent work get in the way of your creative goals?
* How do you feel about that?
* What are your goals?
For Further Exploration:
Show your support and get a free book!
Here in the GU Clubhouse, we’ve gleaned and gathered incredible wisdom from our creative guests, whom we fondly call the Gifted Achievers. We’re putting this wisdom into a series of handy guides so listeners can study how to make a good living doing what you love. Click the coffee cup below and you’re on the list! The first 100 coffee angels will get a free guide!
Thanks for listening to Gifted Underachievers! This post is public so feel free to share it.

If you’re not already a subscriber, we’d love to have you in the GU Clubhouse. No cost, no spam, unsubscribe anytime.



This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit giftedunderachievers.substack.com