If you want to help yourself but aren't quite sure how, let the Star's lineup of inspirational authors, dubbed "Help for Tough Times," show you the way.
"We have assembled the most inspiring authors we know to provide an unprecedented day of life-changing learning and discussion," Star Publisher and Editor John M. Humenik said. "We know people are struggling at the workplace and at home due to terrible economic conditions. Our authors have answers to questions many of us don't even know to ask."
The list of speakers reads like an all-star shelf of self-help books come to life.
Jack Cox, president of The Communications Institute in Los Angeles, is among the speakers. Cox said knowledge is the highest virtue.
"Knowledge is the single most important thing a person must have to pursue their life and career," Cox said. "Errors in business, politics, community and the family occur because people do (not) have the knowledge to practically deal with tough issues or problems or even opportunities in their lives."
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Cox said the best way to help friends improve their outlooks is by being receptive and gentle.
"No one is helping a friend by pushing a biased, non-fact-based point of view," he said. "One simple fact is that we may want politicians to support all sorts of causes and programs, but government is just each one of us - we have unlimited demands such as buying that new luxury car or a beach house in San Diego - but we have limited amounts of money and so we have to prioritize."
Gary Bradt, author of "The Ring in the Rubble: Dig Through Change and Find Your Next Golden Opportunity," said people shouldn't allow unfulfilling careers to drag them down.
"Follow your passion. True wealth comes from loving what you do. Hokey but true," Bradt said. "One of the wealthiest people I ever met was a doorman at a hotel. He had been on the job for years and said he loved it because his job was to help people and put a smile on their face. He couldn't imagine doing anything else.
"In contrast, I have consulted with very rich executives who live in the biggest houses and drive the fanciest cars and who are thoroughly miserable. They have lots of 'stuff' but little peace or happiness."
Psychologist Hendrie Weisinger ("Nobody's Perfect," "The Genius of Instinct") said environment is key to growth.
"The most important action a person can take to help themselves in their lives and careers is to develop high self-awareness so they know what is important to them and thus, what type of work environment/relationship they need to help them grow," Weisinger said. "Implied in this action is for people to rely on their own feelings and instincts to make crucial decisions rather than listening to the 'advice' of others."
Roy Peter Clark ("Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer"), a career journalist and writing instructor, said the key to his success is ignoring frivolous, counterproductive pursuits and favoring his strengths.
"I've finally discovered what I'm good at - writing and teaching - and I've abandoned aspirations that might have brought me more money but less happiness," he said.
Clark emphasized that writing can be a key to fulfillment for anyone, not just those who fashion themselves writers.
"Writing is not just for a special few," he said. "In a democracy, what good is freedom of expression if you lack the means to express yourself?"
Michael Gelb ("How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day") says you need to change your mind to change your situation.
"Focus on solutions rather than problems, emphasize action within your current sphere of influence rather than worrying about elements that are out of your control, savor the beauty of simple things - flowers, music, humor, the sunset - every day, and maintain your focus on a higher purpose," he said.
"As Leonardo da Vinci counseled: 'Fix your course to a star and you can navigate through the storm.' "
Other members of the lineup include Jim Borgman, an editorial cartoonist who co-created the comic strip "Zits," crossword puzzle creator Merl Reagle, author and former Parade magazine editor Janice Kaplan and Chris Reich ("The First Billion").
Next week: Read more author interviews and the full schedule of Festival of Books events
At the Daily Star Pavilion
The Arizona Daily Star's Pavilion will offer a timely lineup of speakers both days of the festival.
Saturday's theme is "Help for Tough Times," with inspiring authors. Sunday focuses on "Behind the Byline," about the personalities behind the stories.
Saturday, March 13
• 10 a.m. Roy Peter Clark, author or editor of 15 books, the most recent of which is "Writing Tools: 50 Essential Strategies for Every Writer."
• 11:30 a.m. Gary Bradt, clinical psychologist, motivational speaker and leadership authority, author of "The Ring in the Rubble."
• 1 p.m. Jim Borgman and Jerry Scott, co-creators of the comic strip Zits, which appears in more than 1,500 newspapers worldwide, including the Star.
• 2:30 p.m. Michael Gelb, author of "How to Think Like Leonardo da Vinci: Seven Steps to Genius Every Day." He will launch his national book tour for his latest book "Wine Drinking for Inspired Thinking" at the festival.
• 4 p.m. Hendrie Weisinger, licensed psychologist with extensive experience in organizational psychology and New York Times best-selling author.
Sunday, March 14
• 10 a.m. Merl Reagle, crossword puzzle creator who sold his first crossword to the New York Times when he was a 16-year-old Tucsonan.
• 11:30 a.m. Mark Frost, best-selling author, television/film writer, director and producer whose latest book, "Game Six," gives an in-depth look of the 1975 World Series game. Tucsonan Pat Darcy, a Cincinnati Reds pitcher in that game, will appear with Frost.
• 1 p.m. Janice Kaplan, former editor of Parade magazine and author and co-author of 11 books, will conduct an interview with Christopher Reich, bestselling author of five acclaimed novels, including "Rules of Deception."
• 2:30 p.m. Star columnist Greg Hansen, who has written about sports in Southern Arizona since 1982. His book, "Hustling to Beat Deadline," was published in December.
• 4 p.m. Jack Cox, president of The Communications Institute, will moderate a panel of national experts and authors who will discuss approaching the future with reason, not fear. The Communications Institute (TCI) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to raising the level of communication and discussion of critical issues in society.
IF YOU GO
The Tucson Festival of Books will be March 13-14 on the University of Arizona campus. Attendance and parking are free.
In addition to featuring hundreds of authors - including Robert Crais, Frank Beddor, Jon Scieszka, J.A. Jance and Elmore Leonard - the event also offers workshops, children's activities, artists and musicians and lots of food.
The Tucson Festival of Books is sponsored by the UA and the Arizona Daily Star, and Diamond Children's Medical Center is the presenting sponsor. Net proceeds will promote literacy in Southern Arizona through the Tucson Festival of Books Foundation, a nonprofit organization.
For more information, to follow the festival through e-mail newsletters, or to volunteer at the event or make a tax-deductible donation (under "friend of the festival"), go to tucsonfestivalofbooks.org
You can follow the festival on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tucsonfestivalofbooks and on Twitter at www.twitter.com/tfob
Contact reporter Phil Villarreal at 573-4130 or pvillarreal@azstarnet.com
