Douglas Rogers is a Zimbabwe-born journalist and travel writer based in New York City. His book, The Last Resort: A Memoir of Zimbabwe, was published in 2009. The Last Resort is a remarkable true story about one family in a country under siege, and a testament to the love, perseverance, and resilience of the human spirit.
Douglas Rogers Definition Of Success | Is recognition by my peers and people whose work, careers and opinion I respect.
I Am Driven By | Fear. And beer money.
My Highlights | In my life: having children. Watching my daughter Madeline read and dance; watching my son Whitaker hit a baseball. It’s not a cricket ball but what can I do. Of my career: publishing The Last Resort, so far my only book. I’m in awe of writers who publish 10, 20, 30 books in a career. Some articles I’ve written I’m proud of.
The Difference Between good And Great | Talent, commitment, and self-belief. Most of us have one or two of these things. People who do great things have all three.
A Key Talent | It’s vital as a journalist and non-fiction writer to be able to talk to and listen to people. That’s my primary talent. I can pretty much speak to anyone in any situation and get them to tell me things. In terms of writing, hone your craft. You can always do it better. Cut out adjectives. Read the greats, people you want to write like, and see how they do it. Always look for new and original ways to describe things.
Principles I Live By | You have to believe that what you are writing or telling is true. You can’t fake it or do half a job. I thought writing would get easier as I did it more but it actually gets harder, because you have to do it better each time otherwise you’re going backwards.
Lessons I Have Learnt | The Gary Player adage: the more you practice the luckier you get. It’s same for everything, the more you do something and the more you work hard at it, the better you get at it. The more you write the better you get. Also, take advice. Never think that you are beyond that and that you can’t improve.
Dealing With Doubt | I doubt myself all the time but I have learned that doubt is really fear and it’s part of the creative process. You have to go through the wall in order to make something good. I still find the process agonizing, but I realize that fear and doubt is there for a reason.
On Performing At My Peak | Exercise a lot, clear the head and an early night, followed by coffee in the morning. The alcoholic writer is a myth. Writers drink, but not when they are writing, and rarely do they write well with a hangover. Try to end a day when the work is in a good place so that you are keen to get to it again in the morning. Not always possible of course. I like to read a few pages of a writer or from a work I really like, early in the morning over an espresso in a quiet place. Puts the head in the right place.
Resources I Use To Stay Inspired | I read authors I like to get inspired. Laurie Lee, Evelyn Waugh, Grahame Greene, Tom Wolfe, PJ. O’Rourke, Christopher Hitchens, Riaan Malan, Geoff Dyer, Charles Graeber.
My Future Ambition | T o write a successful enough book that I no longer have to worry about money.
The Best Advice I’ve Received | You have to believe in the story you are telling. You have to believe everyone will want to hear it and that it is brilliant, otherwise , why write it. Alexandra Fuller told me this.
Advice On Getting Rich | Become a banker. Or a politician.
Tony Horton is an American fitness trainer best known for the boot camp style P90X home fitness program. Tony has been featured in numerous national publications like Men’s Fitness, Fitness, SELF, Women’s Health, People, LA HEALTH, ESPN, Washington Post, Washington Examiner, Politico, LA Times, Roll Call, Military Times and has made multiple appearances on National […]
Alasdair Harris is a marine ecologist with an unhealthy obsession for corals and has spent the past decade developing conservation initiatives in the Indian Ocean. Alasdair is recipient of the IUCN World Conservation Union’s Young Conservationists Award, winner of the Conde Nast Environment Award, an Ashoka Fellow, and a passionate ambassador of Australia’s penguins. His […]
Louis Minnaar forms one half of Albino Creations, with Werner Burger. Their amazing collaboration allows them to tackle animation, illustration and design work, and from what we can see, there is no shortage of magnificence in their work. They see beauty in things that ordinarily seem odd, and this gives them their explicit uniqueness. From […]
Jake Harriman graduated with distinction from the U.S. Naval Academy and served seven and a half years as an Infantry and Special Operations Platoon Commander in the Marine Corps. Jake believes that the “War on Terror” won’t be won on the battlefield alone, but that disenfranchisement, lack of education, and extreme poverty must also be […]
Mike Ruiz is a world renowned celebrity and fashion photographer, director, television personality, former model, spokesperson, creative director, and actor working with an impressive list of clients including beauty and fashion brands like L’Oreal, Schick, Dark and Lovely and Garnier along with a host of A-list celebrities including Kim Kardashian, Betty White, Katy Perry, and […]
Willis Raburu is one of Citizen TV’s fast rising journalists, based in Nairobi Kenya. A distinctive and versatile TV journalist, he brings a weekly segment on Citizen TV dubbed “TruthMeter” part of Citizen TV’s weekly new prime-time line-up of programming. My Definition Of Success | Success to me used to mean a good house, a […]
Janet is co-founder and managing partner of Charlotte Rhys, South Africa’s leading luxurious bath, body and lifestyle range. Within 14 years the brand expanded from a single product to over 100 luxury products. Today they supply leading hotels across the world. My Definition Of Success | Success means achieving the goals you set, and it is inevitable […]
David M. Dye works with leaders who want to build energized teams and get more done. In his motivational leadership speaking, consulting, and coaching David shares twenty years experience in the public and nonprofit sectors including service as an elected official and nonprofit executive. Prior to starting Trailblaze, David served as Chief Operating Officer for […]
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