Run On Sentences

Run On Sentences

John Paul Derryberry

Something like this blog only takes off with help. I will always communicate my public speaking and message, around emotional health, compassion, thoughtful consideration, and storytelling; only growing with the right kind of help. People have to believe in you and what you stand for, and they have to see you demonstrate that over and over again. We are suspicious, and we often look for ways to say someone isn't who they say they are more than we look for confirmation that they are a good person with flaws. Nothing great in this world gets accomplished single-handedly, and anyone who tells you otherwise is lying. 

That's why I have to share some sad news in my world this week with all of you. About seven and half years ago, a retired journalist, who came across my blogs, emailed me through a mutual friend and stated she would edit them for me. She communicated that I had good thoughts and a wonderful message but needed help structuring it better. And for seven years, she has done just that, but oh so much more. She challenged me to become more focused on my writing, which improved my presentation and storytelling skills. 

She was all in, calling me and lecturing about small mistakes I shouldn't make and praising me for big idea blogs. It was refreshing to know someone, who didn't know me before she read me, was willing to give her time to help with this message. That's really what this is about: creating connective tissue through storytelling, and my connective tissue improved with her help. The most unique feature of this setup is we only met once in person. Everything else was done through email, texts, and phone calls. She was redefining friendship for me and from where to expect support. 

Care, compassion, and support are there, if we are willing to look at the places and people that offer it. For seven-plus years, that is what my editor, my friend, did for me. With her guidance, readership increased, went international, and all while my family and professional commitments grew. She stayed patient with me during my changes and my many screw-ups. And this is what we want from making us better, to care for us as we are, but assist us in reaching who we can be. I only got where I'm at as a writer with her help. As with everything in life, her time as my editor ends after next week's blog. But her impact on my storytelling will be woven into each word I type and write from here forward. It was a great run, even if I had too many run-on sentences for her liking.