Chapter 1: Acknowledging Tim Denning

Dear Tim, I hope this letter finds you well. I want to express my sincere gratitude for your influence on my writing journey. I assure you that this isn’t a recurring theme of leveraging your name for attention. Instead, it stems from my genuine response to your article on the importance of integrating emerging technologies into our writing strategies.

At 64 years old, embracing technology isn't as straightforward for me as it might be for others. Your insights resonated deeply, prompting me to reflect on their significance. I rarely identify as a "writer," reserving that title for literary greats like Steinbeck or Hemingway, as well as contemporary authors like Strout. Nevertheless, your perspective on technology sparked something within me.

Interestingly, a piece I wrote that highlighted your ideas garnered far more attention than my other, more passionately crafted works. This includes a fictional series about Alfred and Hannah, which has become my family's inside joke. The article featuring your insights eclipsed even weightier topics such as:

• Supporting an aging sibling with dignity
• The evolving meaning of The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn
• Embracing rejection slips, inspired by Sylvia Plath
• Celebrating female scientists who have significantly impacted our world
• Navigating the journey of being a solopreneur CEO

I attempted to divert some attention from you by writing a companion piece titled "How I Differ from Joe Schmoe," an allusion to the everyman. While it received some readership, it paled in comparison to the overwhelming interest in the piece about you. This discrepancy leaves me pondering why your influence resonates so powerfully within our Medium community. Does this trend indicate that my upcoming fictional series, launching in 2022, would benefit from a connection to your name in its title?

Rest assured, I won’t be doing that. My upcoming titles, "Alfred’s Journey to Be Liked" and "Hannah’s Journey to Be Happy," will remain free of your name.

In closing, this will be my final piece referencing you. I simply needed to express my gratitude to Tim Denning before moving on from this topic. Thank you for your writings and insights that have inspired me. Your work has transformed my first article on Medium into my most widely read piece, a fact I appreciate, even if I hold other pieces closer to my heart.

I aspire for my writing to not only transform me but also to offer small, positive changes for those who read it. Your article on technology has inspired me to create a new personal website. Although I find discussing myself uncomfortable, it’s a necessary step in our interconnected world. From there, I plan to transition to Substack.

Thank you once again, and please keep sharing your wisdom with us.

Chapter 2: The Impact of Tim's Insights

This chapter explores how Tim Denning's insights have inspired writers and the importance of technology in modern storytelling.

The first video, "A Letter to Tim, From Maggie," captures the essence of gratitude and the impact of mentorship.

The second video, "Tim & Sid: An open letter to TFC," discusses the importance of open communication and collaboration in creative endeavors.