(Who’da Thought It?)

Hey, howdy again, friends, family, fiends, foes, and all you funky, funky folk!

So, here I am, again, staring at my computer screen, about to write again for Medium.com, and the thought hits me like the bass line in a bad disco song: Wow, I’m a writer! Yep, it’s true! I mean, I never thought I’d be one of those people who sit down and string words together for a living (or even a hobby). But here I am, tapping away and — believe it or not — people are actually reading what I write! I now have over 209 articles on medium.com and some more (95 or so) on deanbensonrocks.com WOW! I never knew I had it in me, not even a little bit!

Now, don’t get me wrong. I’ve been a talker all my life. Anyone who knows me or tunes in to my radio show, “The Dean of Rock & Roll,” can tell you that I’m never short on things to say. But putting it all down on paper, or on a screen, and having people actually read and enjoy it? Well, that’s something else entirely. So how in the world did I end up here, hitting publish and getting feedback that people are genuinely reading and enjoying it? Let’s take a little trip down back to the future island.

The Accidental Writer

For most of my life, writing wasn’t on my radar. I always figured writing was for English majors, novelists with stacks of manuscripts piled in a closet, or those artsy types who hung out in coffee houses, sipping on lattes and discussing Hemingway or Keats. Me? I’m a rock ’n’ roll kind of guy, more at home with a microphone than a pen, that’s for sure. But somewhere along the way, the guy that owns the radio station told me I should write an article for my bio-page at Sky7music.com. I realized I had a way of storytelling — not just on-air but in a way that made people want to read, too. (Thanks, Mike, for the push!)

It all started with a few scribbles here and there, just little b.s. and dumb stuff, musings I thought might be worth sharing. And before I knew it, I was blogging, tossing out thoughts on everything from music to life lessons and even dipping my toes into things like digital marketing. To my absolute surprise, folks started reading, commenting, and asking for more! Now I’m sitting here with a Diet Mountain Dew, and some grapes, and realizing that, somehow, I became a writer — and I didn’t even see it coming. WOW!

Putting Pen to Paper (Or, More Accurately, Fingers to Keyboard)

One of the first things I realized about writing is that it’s not all that different from talking. Sure, you can’t exactly throw in a wild hand gesture or hit people with a Dean-ism punchline the way I do on the radio, but it turns out that humor, personality, and a little bit of rock ’n’ roll go a long way in writing, too. So, I just started typing the way I talk. I wrote how I’d tell a story to a buddy over a cold Michelob Ultra or to a listener tuning in during their lunch break.

Dean-ism: “The numbers on the gas pump are looking as high as Snoop Dogg or Willie Nelson!

And people liked it! In fact, they seemed to prefer it that way — casual, relatable, with a touch of my own semi-twisted sense of humor. I quickly learned that the magic of writing isn’t in using fancy words or trying to sound like Shakespeare. It’s about being yourself. Whether I’m writing about the crazy world of rock ’n’ roll, sharing a Dean-ism, a personal story, or even just giving a little questionable advice, it’s still me, just on the page instead of the airwaves (internet).

The Shock of Readers (Wait, They Actually Care What I Think?)

Honestly, I expected to write a few posts, toss them out into the vast internet, and then watch them sink like a lead balloon. But here’s the kicker — people actually read them. Not only that, they comment, share, and even come back for more. Every time I see a new follower, or I get a note from someone saying, “Hey, that post really hit home,” it’s like a little jolt of, “Whoa, this is real!”

I’m still amazed every time I get a response, positive or other. Whether it’s a “dynamite!” comment or a thoughtful message, even an “are you kidding?” it’s like finding out I can actually connect with people through words. I never thought words on a screen could have that same impact I strive for in my internet radio show. But here we are, and it’s honestly one of the best surprises of my life. There’s something about knowing that someone, somewhere, feels a connection to my stories or my perspective. It’s a feeling that’s both humbling and wildly energizing. It’s like the adrenaline rush a great band feels when the crowd is really rockin’ and loving their set.

Finding My Groove (And Embracing That “Writer’s Life”)

Now that I’ve realized I’ve got this writing thing going on, it’s like a whole new world opened up. I can sit down, let the words flow, and know that each piece I write has the potential to work for someone out there. I’ve found a rhythm — almost like a setlist for a Bruce Springsteen concert, where each blog post has its own beat and energy.

Plus, being a writer lets me dive into all sorts of new topics. I get to explore and share things I never thought I’d be putting into words — things like career advice, tackling life’s ups and downs, or even sharing a few behind-the-scenes stories from the wild world of a classic rock D.J. It’s a chance to bring in elements of my personality, my experiences, and even a few laughs, making writing something I actually look forward to doing.

Dean-ism: “ I’m the person that when told not to do something, will do it anyway, twice and take pictures to prove it!”

What Writing Has Taught Me (Other Than I Can Actually Do It)

Writing has taught me so much about personal connection. It’s made me realize how universal our experiences are and how powerful it can be to share them. Many of my readers aren’t in the U.S., where I am, but they have similar life experiences and we can connect that way! Whether I’m talking about overcoming tough times, the life lessons my dear old Dad taught me, or just shooting the breeze about music, I’m always blown away by the shared experiences that bring us all together. Writing has become my way of putting my own spin on life’s twists and turns, and somehow, that spin resonates with other folks, too. It feels good to find other folks that have the same feelings about “stuff” as I do.

Beyond that, writing has taught me a thing or two about vulnerability. Talking is easy, but putting thoughts and feelings into words on a page? That’s a whole different level. It’s a strange, wonderful thing to write down something honest, and open, send it out into the world, and know that people are connecting with it on their own terms. It’s taught me to be more open, more honest, and even a little braver in sharing my own life’s outlook and experiences.

Cheers to More Words!

So, yeah, Wow, I’m a writer! And if this little revelation has taught me anything, it’s that you never know what life’s going to throw at you. If you’d told me a few years ago that I’d be here, writing blog posts, connecting with readers, and actually having people enjoy what I write, I probably would have laughed and changed the subject to something off color to hide my lack of college education. (I do have a degree, but not one that helps me here, maybe that story another blog later) But here I am, one blog post after another, putting my thoughts down for the world to see and loving every word and second of it.

To anyone who’s reading this, following my posts, or even just stumbling across my musings, I want to say thank you. You’re part of this wild, unexpected ride, and I couldn’t be more grateful. Writing might be sort of new for me, but it’s one hell of a cool experience, and it’s dynamite having you all along for the ride. Thanks again, from my heart.

Dean Benson, “The Dean Of Rock & Roll” on SKY7music.com, middays daily.

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