Today we’d like to introduce you to Carl Watson.
So, before we jump into specific questions, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My story begins with an age old question that I received at like four or five years old. “What do you want to be when you grow up?” You barely know how to cross the street at five, nonetheless what your future holds. Yet, who knew that kid’s foresight was so strong? My answer at the time was “a maker”. My aunt interpreted that as a baby maker, but that was not it. Whereas my mom interpreted that as an engineer, which was closer to the future. Yet, only the beginning. What I desired to be developed into a maker of products, stories, businesses and more. However, now I have a starting point.
It was along the way on the path to becoming an electrical engineer that I realized I had a knack for writing. Unfortunately, it didn’t appear until I discovered how to properly structure an essay. Also, along the path were obstacles to reinforce my mom’s belief that I was “destined for greatness”. These obstacles consisted of but not limited to: having my thumb almost sliced off, playing bumper cars with my head and someone else’s car windshield while walking to school, and studying to actually become an electrical engineer. You’d be surprised if I told you which one of those three actually almost killed me.
Speaking of electrical engineering, it was in college I discovered my innate ability to put my pain on paper. Writing became my outlet, and I felt this outlet could become a conduit. A conduit of pain people could resonate with, and positivity people could feed off of. So it was in college that I discovered so many other people were destined for greatness. It was in college that I embarked on a multitude of romantic adventures. Consequently, it was in college that I begin writing this book.
Has it been a smooth road?
Smooth is definitely not the word I would use to describe this road, but challenges make for the most interesting journeys. Though there were a plethora of challenges, I’d only like to highlight a couple. Those being exploring a completely foreign industry and fear of inadequacy.
This was an uncommon and unconventional path. There wasn’t anyone with first-hand experience to guide or mentor me. At first, I was unaware that it was possible to publish without a traditional publishing company. Once I discovered a company, I had to learn to distinguish between things like what were good and bad deals, what were growing pains that came with the new terrain, and what was negligence. Then there was the figuring out the best way to market and sell in this industry.
In terms of the inadequacy, it was that self-doubt we all experience at different points in our lives. This self-doubt stemmed from the idea that only a certain caliber of people can write a book, and only certain pieces of literature was worth publishing. Then, the idea that maybe I wasn’t that person, or my writing wasn’t at that level of quality. Yet, why would God put it in my heart to do it if it wasn’t something I was capable of doing? I realized we all have stories to tell, and who knows who’s day could be made, or what lives could be changed from hearing them. Lastly, I realized the material in my book was some good stuff.
Please tell us about A Master’s in Love & a Bachelor’s in Growth.
The title of the book is “A Master’s in Love & a Bachelor’s in Growth”. This title is intended to be a journey that both the reader and I share while navigating through this university known as life. The journey is split in two, those being a journey of growth and romance. Both are comprised of stories, poems, and spoken word. With their purposes being to inspire with pieces like “Who Do You Work For?” and to encourage with pieces like “The Nest (Fall or Flight)” all found along your “Growth” journey. Then, let’s not forget the other purposes. One being to relate with the reader with pieces like “The Waiter and The Difficult Customer”, and to simply entertain with pieces like “For You: The Untold Story” all found along your Love journey. I say “your” because this a journey that me and the reader take together. I don’t have all the answers, and this book is not intended to dictate how you live your life. These are simply things I’ve encountered, learned, or just felt were worth discussing. I’m shared my journey and encourages to do the same with simple but at times, thought-provoking questions. I tried to make it as versatile as possible to appeal to the masses. So hopefully, you’ll embark on this journey with me and together, we can learn something about ourselves that school didn’t teach us.
How do you think the industry will change over the next decade?
I actually see more individuals reading. We’re in time where self-development in encouraged, highlighted, and broadcast all around us. Though many are shifting from physical books to eBooks and audiobooks, people are still on quest for more knowledge. I feel this trend will continue in the coming years.
Pricing:
- Ebook: $3.99
- Softcover: $15.99
- Hardcover: $22.99
Contact Info:
- Website: thecmwexperience.com
- Email: cmw759@gmail.com
- Instagram: @imageofgreatness
Image Credit:
Instagram: @5dvisualz
Suggest a story: VoyageATL is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
