Shaun Gold's "YouTopian Journey" Newsletter Offers Inspiration to Chart Your Own Course

Gold talks about his Substack newsletter, YouTopian Journey, providing weekly motivation and wisdom to help you become mentally stronger and realize your potential.

Welcome to Writers On Writing, an ongoing series profiling passionate writers behind the scenes. Today, we hear from Shaun Gold, author, screenwriter, Jeopardy! participant, and founder of the YouTopian Journey Newsletter on Substack.

Photo courtesy of Shaun Gold

1. In which genre do you write, and what’s your Substack newsletter about? Tell us about as much – or as little – as you feel comfortable. 

YouTopian Journey is for the self-help/self-improvement genre. I deliver weekly wisdom and motivation (that is supported by original graphic art) to make readers mentally stronger.

2. What’s the main message of your work, and what do you hope your readers will gain from reading your writing?

To take action and create your own path, no matter how difficult it may seem.

3. Was there a moment of inspiration that inspired you to launch this newsletter?

At the start of the lockdown, I knew people would be suffering mentally. I didn’t want to spend the pandemic wasting time but rather using my time to create something positive and that could be used to improve society at large.Hence, YouTopian Journey was created. I wrote the graphic novel first before creating the newsletter. In fact, I spent most of 2020 researching, writing,and planning. YouTopian Journey wasn’t launched until February 2021.

4. Who or what inspires you as a writer?

I like to think of my predecessors, everyone from Nietsche to Bukowski, free spirits who broke the mold. In the words of Isaac Newton, ““If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of Giants”.

5. How would you describe your writing life?

I don’t really have a writing life. I just have thoughts and put them down to paper. It is that easy and that difficult. My mind is always moving so when I have certain thoughts and ideas that would make for great topics, I tend to jot them down and than expand on them at a later date. 

6. What would we see if we walked into your writing workspace(s)?

An open laptop, a document where I have thousands of quotes that I often use, and stacks of books that range from psychology and philosophy to history. 

YouTopian Journey Artwork courtesy of Shaun Gold

7. Do you have an ideal time/place in which to write?

I try to write my Substack every Monday afternoon and then edit throughout the week.I always write from my home office.

8. Where do you find your inspiration and ideas?

Dozens of books have imprinted their knowledge on me. Additionally, I have a lot of experience as I have led a unique life. This combination allows me to create newsletter issues that resonate as many people lack the moral courage to say what they know to be correct and true. 

9. Who’s your audience for this project? Is it specific, or is it broad with disparate groups?

Founders, creators, dreamers, and those looking to chart their own course in life. I originally thought this would be for Gen Z but I have had subscribers that include every generation up to boomers. The words resonate and open their minds to the possibilities that were always there, just waiting for someone like me to come along.

10. When are you most likely to write productively?

All writing is productive. It is only when it is written that it can be edited and altered. Everything is perfect when it is in your head, which is why so few ever get it down on paper and released. I often write every day, with Monday being the primary day to write the Substack for that week.

11. What does your life look like when you’re not writing?

Active. In addition to being a super connector for Breakwater Hospitality Group, I also guest lecture at universities, write screenplays, consult with different startups, go on game shows, and act as an Entrepreneur In Residence at the Baltic Sandbox Accelerator. 

12. What are you most excited about for your newsletter?

I really like how it helps so many people around the world. It is very fulfilling and personally rewarding.I am also planning to expand the brand to other vectors as well as the newsletter is just the start.  

13. What gives you the most angst about it?

I sometimes think that my newsletter is too long or too short and I often think I am going to run out of content, but over a year in and I am still writing as much as ever. All writers have doubts and angst but we all must push past them. This is difficult for newsletter writers as we have to deliver week in and week out, but it is necessary. 

14. What’s been the most surprising part about launching your Substack newsletter?

The unexpected doors that have been opened. New friends, new relationships, and new opportunities that all came from a desire to put thought to paper. Every journey has unexpected paths for the traveler, but you can only find them by being on the journey.

15. How has this effort changed you as a writer? As a person? 

YouTopian Journey not only inspires my subscribers, but it also inspires me. It has made me more knowledgeable, flexible and fluid as both a writer and as a person. It has given me something to shoot for and a noble goal of improving the lives of readers around the world. 

16. What advice would you offer someone who’s considering taking on a big writing project? 

Do it. Stop waiting around and making excuses. There is a quote by Rumi that I love. “Start a huge, foolish project, like Noah…it makes absolutely no difference what people think of you.” I would tell every person who is considering any project, regardless of the area, to read that quote and begin.

17. How do you jumpstart your motivation when it wanes?

Motivation has never been an issue for me. Some days I don’t have it in me to write because I am tired so I have to rest. Yet the very next morning, I am typing away. If you want to do something, you will do it. If you don’t, you will find an excuse.

18. Did you set goals for your newsletter launch, or just follow your gut? How would you say things have gone so far? 

I had growth goals and topics I wanted to cover. This has been expanded since I read, write, and experience a lot. I am very pleased with my Substack but I am still learning. I also am vexed about my content going to the spam/junk bin which I am still trying to find a workaround for. But all in all, I am happy with the work I put in over the past year. 

19. Have you received support/feedback/guidance while writing? If so, what has that looked like? How has the input of others impacted your productivity and/or mindset?

Yes. I have received a lot of wonderful messages from around the world. This has pushed away any negativity or doubt that I may have had. If you make one person’s life better with your work, that is a victory. But I am impacting thousands. I believe this is why I lack a motivation problem, there is too much at stake and people are depending on me to deliver them content that can improve their lives. 

20. What advice would you offer to someone considering launching their own Substack newsletter?

Start now and stick with it. Don’t expect to go viral or have thousands of paid subscribers immediately. Like anything, it will take time and the overcoming of obstacles to get to where you want to be. If you can endure the pains of being a writer, you will find it a most rewarding experience.

21. In what other genres do you write, and what’s your current work-in-progress about? Tell us about as much – or as little – as you feel comfortable. 

I have a variety of screenplays that are crime dramas (which are my favorite). My feature, which is currently being shopped, is a science fiction action film that is extremely unique. I can’t share exact details right now but will share what I can.

22. What’s the main message of your project, and what do you hope your readers will gain from reading it?

The feature film screenplay deals with deeply philosophical issues that we all face but that few want to admit to. Everything from the nature of free will to existentialism is wrapped up within an action and science fiction story. The closest comparison I can make is to the first Matrix, although it has nothing in common with the story or characters.

23. Was there a moment of inspiration that inspired you to take on this project?

Like YouTopian Journey, it was a pandemic project. I want to create something unique and that could stand the test of time. I wanted to show that even under the worst circumstances, we still have the freedom to overcome and choose to create, provided one has the courage to do so.

24. Do you have an ideal time/place in which to write?

For screenwriting, I have to write everyday until it is finished. Whether it is three pages or ten, it is something that consumes me. I would write in the morning, take a break for work, and come back to it at night. This particular project took me about two weeks or so.

25. Where do you find your inspiration and ideas?

For screenwriting, I have a lot of films and comics that play a role, as well as my experiences in Miami. This all comes together to create a story with flawed characters who I attempt to make as real as possible.

26. Who’s your audience for this project? Is it specific, or is it broad with disparate groups?

This is for action and science fiction fans as well as people who want to watch something that will stay with them after the final credits roll.

27. What are you most excited about for this project?

I have been screenwriting for years. I taught myself and have a point to prove that if I can accomplish the impossible, then so can you. I am excited that it has made it this far and the feedback has been overwhelmingly positive. 

28. What gives you the most angst about this project?

Will my vision come to life? Will this actually go from script to screen? Will the years of setbacks be worth it? Regardless, I have made it further than most and I will continue to write and create no matter what the result may be.

29. What’s been the most surprising part about taking on a project like this?

Usually there are a lot of rewrites but my producers believe the script is strong enough as it is, which is extremely surprising. 

30. How has this project changed you as a writer? As a person? 

It proved to myself that my ideas are legitimate no matter how many screenwriting contests I lost or how many producers and actors passed. I like to set the example and practice what I preach which is why I believe my YouTopian Journey Substack resonates so well. It isn’t theoretical, I live it. I continue to write and move forward no matter how difficult it becomes. There is no other way.

31. How long did you think this process would take? How does that compare to reality?

The writing is easy but the process of going from script to screen is a long road and a hard climb. There is the dream of writing something and selling it immediately but the reality is that the process could take months, years even. 

32. Have you received support/feedback/guidance while writing? If so, what has that looked like? How has the input of others impacted your productivity and/or mindset?

Yes. I had many friends and industry professionals comment on how talented my screenplays are, which helps during those dark times when nothing seems to be happening. I know I can create great stories that I know will stick with the audience for years to come. I also know that I am apprenticing to a craft that I will never master and that screenwriting is the one industry where you can die from encouragement. I just keep going, keep learning, and keep pushing forward.

33. When you finally complete your project and hold the published work in your hands, what do you think the published writer will say to the writer-in-progress?

For me, it is a bit different as I already have four books available. My main creative focus and perhaps the most difficult is getting my screenplay adapted into film. Everything is in place. I am signed with Films Angel London who truly believes in the concept, but the process of attaching talent and raising funding is something that is more difficult than writing the script. When I finally see it completed, I would tell the writer-in-progress that anything is possible provided you have the capability to endure setback after setback. More specifically, the quote from Winston Churchill that states “success is all about going from failure to failure without losing enthusiasm.”

To learn even more about Shaun Gold, visit www.shaungold.com

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Christine Wolf is an award-winning essayist, memoir coach, and owner of Writers’ Haven LLC, a cooperative workspace for writers. Are you a writer in search of a coach? Would you like your writing profile featured in this series? Reach out to Christine at www.christinewolf.com/contact/.