Note: Unfortunately after upgrading to the latest version of Wordpress, I’ve been experiencing problems in uploading media images and was not able to resolve it in a timely manner. Therefore until a fix is developed, we are without photos and logos for this interview. Sorry guys - I tried.

As you can see, I’m working on it! I found out that it was an Internet Explorer 7.0 issue. I downloaded Firefox and that seemed to have solved the problem. I’m now currently resizing the blog’s logo. Hang in there!

Well, it looks like I FINALLY FIGURED IT OUT! From now on, I’m going to use Firefox. Up to now, I’ve been a loyal user of Internet Explorer 7.0 but it’s been a constant source of frustration, slow loading times and inefficient handling of multi-media applications, especially when working with this blog.

So, here we go! I’m one relieved fella.

This interview is the first of its kind at Adversity University because for one thing, instead of interviewing one person, I’m actually interviewing two! James Chartrand and Harrison McLeod are the guys behind “Mens with Pens.” They’re from Canada with a mighty mission - to use the power of the pen - what else!

Now tell me the name of their blog isn’t unique! Isn’t that the name of the game - to stand out from the crowded blogosphere?

Apparently James is the team’s front man and manager while Harrison is the behind-the-scenes guy. Between the two of them, they’ve manage to build Men with Pens in such a way that not only produces exciting and extremely well written content but a one-of-a-kind community. You’d have to see it to believe it. Several of their articles have generated huge responses in the comment section - a sure sign of the blog’s success.

I’m not sure how I discovered them but once I read heartwarming stories like To a Homeless Man and His Dog, Merry Christmas, I was hooked. Not only that but I loved how they were putting forth genuine effort to communicate with their readers, not unlike what you see here at Adversity University. I don’t know how they do it because they do get a lot of responses, but their attitude is that it is the readers who help make a blog successful and they’re acknowledging that by making sure each and every one of them gets a response. This, I’ve learned, makes it a lot of fun for people to visit because deep down they know the time they spend leaving a comment will surely get an answer from them. That, my friends, gets a 5 star rating (out of a possible 5, of course) from me!

Because two guys are responding to my questions, this interview will seem a bit longer than usual but I think you’ll enjoy hearing from them. They are two completely different personalities, almost polar opposites, yet they work extremely well together. Anyone who takes a look at Men with Pens can see why. As you read through this interview, watch them playfully interact with each other and how they do it so well with words. Absolutely amazing!

Without further ado, let’s welcome Harry and James to Stephen Hopson Interviews!

1. One of my favorite questions when I want to learn about someone is by asking them to give me their 5-second introduction when I pose the question: “What do you do for a living?”

James: I have about 20 different versions of this, depending on who I’m talking to. I’m a web content writer, I build websites, I’m self-employed, I’m an online entrepreneur, I own a web business… it varies depending on the moment.

Harry: I spend a lot of time online and somehow, it makes me money. Just kidding - I’m a graphic designer and a writer.

Stephen’s Response: Well, there you go, already taking a stab at humor. Bottom line, you guys write and you help others take the power of the written word to a higher level. When used properly, words can inspire, transform and educate all at the same time. Wouldn’t that be an accurate statement?

2. Tell me in 3 to 5 sentences something we can’t read in your bios or at the “About Page” at your blog Men with Pens.

Harry: Hmmm…there is a lot that isn’t in our About Us. I could easily fill up a page or more with that information alone. *pokes James* See? I told you people would want to know more about us.

James: Some things I have no problem telling others about. I’m pretty open. I get all squirmy about putting up “About Us” info. One day I’ll get to it.

Harry: Honestly, we lay out so much in our posts on a daily basis I don’t think there is anything about me that our readers don’t know.

Stephen’s Response: I think one of the defining reasons some blogs succeed while others don’t is because of the authenticity behind it. People are absolutely fed up with fake people and can smell a rat a mile away but as soon as they see you incorporating your own personal stories, they feel like they are a part of your journey. Human psychology is interesting in that way…..if you allow people to get to know you, they actually want you to succeed.

If you take them along with you in your own personal journey(s), they’re more likely to correspond with you, hire you or even ask for advice simply because they trust you. It’s not easy to be an open book and you certainly don’t have to tell the world every single thing about your life but I find that if you open the door just a crack, you’ll start collecting fans and that’s exactly why your comment section is so vibrant. Wouldn’t you agree guys?

3. How long have you been blogging at “Men with Pens”?

James: We’ve been blogging for a year at our old site at JCM Enterprises/Web Content Writer Tips. The blog served our purposes, but we outgrew it and needed a look that fit our image (and us) better. So, we designed a rockin’ site and moved.

We launched the Men with Pens site on February 4, 2008. Same content, same writers, just better packaging.

Stephen’s Response: Oh, you definitely have a very eye appealing blog! Not only is it clean with lots of white background, but you also accentuate it with interesting photos and other graphics without cluttering it. For instance, I loved how you put up the giant RSS feed button that lights up whenever people hover their mouse over it. How in the world did you come up with that!?!?

4. How did you come up with that incredibly unique and eye-catching title?

James: We spent weeks walking around tossing out suggestions to each other. It was important for us to have something easy to type, easy to remember and that reflects us well.

Harry: Most of our greatest ideas stem from off-the-cuff comments. I remembered a skit from “In Living Color” called “Men on Film”. My brain clicked and I said to James, “How about Men with Pens?”

James: The name reminded me of the Paul Gross movie “Men with Brooms.” I loved it. My daughter thinks it sounds like we’re superheroes. She doesn’t believe me when I tell her we are.

You can’t get much more memorable than Men with Pens, though. It reflects our business, and it’s a catchy title that often makes people laugh. Their mind’s eye fills in the blank, they blink and voila - they’ll never forget us

Stephen’s Response: KIDS! It’s amazing what they constitute “superheroes”! What does it take for a kid to think of one these days? Well, one thing is for sure - you guys definitely fit the superhero image. I mean, my goodness, how many guys have a picture on their blogs showing a tattooed arm on a motorcycle along with a second one showing an arm draped over a guitar?

5. What is the real reason you guys started “Men with Pens”?

James: We needed to set ourselves up as a contender. We wanted to move out of the small-guy image and shoulder our way into an upcoming A-lister position. We knew we had the talent and potential to be big - now we just had to convey that effectively to others.

Harry: We wanted to be ourselves. We tried the straight professional route, sticking to topics relevant to the business world of writing. It grew stale. I hated it.

We began to open up with a more personal spin and things started to roll. As soon as we switched over to the new theme, the whole ambiance of the blog changed. It’s like a brand new home where we’re proud to receive guests, and they feel welcome to visit and stay.

Stephen’s Response: I know exactly what you’re saying about how boring and stale it would be to take the “professional” route. I mean, of course, you have to show that you’re worthy of the work that you put forth yet it’s important to show the human side of you. Sites that convey nothing but pure business are missing the human element, which we all know isn’t possible.

No one is perfect so why should they try to convey that when we know better? For instance, when I did a video for the BeTheNextBestSellingAuthor.com competition (I did a 2 minute video for the “Most Life Changing Moment” category), I went ahead with it, even though I knew the ending of that clip would show a rather unflattering portrait of my neck when I went to shut the camcorder off.

My thinking at the time was, “Who cares?” After all, the contest wasn’t about trying to be slick. It was about being honest and authentic. Despite that, a friend tried to convince me to take it down immediately because she feared it would “hurt” my professional reputation. Luckily I didn’t listen to her because guess what?

I actually WON!

Allow me to indulge once more, please, by first giving you the YouTube video and then a link to a page listing the winners. Had I worried about how unflattering my neck looked, I would not have put it up and I would not have won!

It is still there with almost 5,000 views and several interviews on other blogs as a result!

6. One of the reasons why you’re being interviewed, is because BOTH OF YOU write with a sense of authenticity. We get to see your own personal story, helping us connect with your life’s experiences, like the experience Harry had with the homeless man and the dog. I mean that was awesome! How did you two learn to write so well?

James: Practice. Natural talent. An interest in improving skills. Reading a lot. Observing how other people write. If you aren’t steeped in reading and writing to begin with, you can’t get improve.

We were (and still are) flexible, too. Adapting to change, trying different ways of conveying messages, discovering what style of writing works best for an intended result… there are many ways of writing, not just one.

We love working on achieving that emotional connection and visual imagery to get our point across - so we practiced. And we’re still practicing, and we will be practicing for the rest of our lives.

Stephen’s Response: This is a gem of an answer and is universally applicable to everyone. We’ve all heard the saying that “practice makes perfect” and while there’s a measure of truth in that statement, no one ever really achieves perfection, except for maybe you James (since you responded to this one). Like you said, there are many ways of writing. There are no right or wrong styles - just the one that’s applicable to your own personality. No one really achieves success overnight although it may appear that way. Every single person who has achieved something had to practice honing their skills along the way. It’s just a matter of finding your passion and then boning up on it, right?

7. How and why did you two team up together? Most bloggers are “one man/woman operations.” Why two?

Harry: Two heads are better than one. James and I are the same in many ways, but we also have very different strengths and skills. The combination works. Being friends helped. We just took friendship a step further to see what would happen.

James: We have distinct talents, strengths and weaknesses, and personalities that complement each other nicely. We work together extremely well as a team. The switch to business seemed natural.

We support each other in business and in life. We’re never alone, there’s always someone to help out or to cover, and we both have someone to depend on.

I think those are some of the reasons that we’ll probably survive very well in business. We took to the time to know that we were a good fit with each other, how we fit with each other, and why we fit with each other.

I think many one-man/woman operations envy the relationship and strength we have.

Stephen’s Response: I’m so glad to see that two buddies were able to iron out whatever differences you had by way of unique personalities. It’s true that two heads are better than one. That’s why it’s important to “collaborate” with those who are aligned with your values and desires. It’s hard to be a one-man or woman show for long. Why do you think mastermind groups seem to work so well?

8. The reason “Men with Pens” appears to be successful is because there are two real human beings behind them and the subscriber community knows it. It’s evident with the enormous amount of comments they leave behind because they’re touched by your stories, articles and the like. You allow yourselves to be transparent and honest. If I were to ask you to dig a little further, how would you two define who you really are?

Harry: You know, I really couldn’t tell you. I’m still working on figuring that out. I change so much every day that even I have a problem keeping up with who I am. They’re good changes though, and the transformation is cool to watch - or so James tells me.

Who you are is more than just what you do, what you own, or who you know. It’s deeper and often indescribable. Some people go their whole lives without ever knowing who they are. I feel that I know who I am, but I guess until I can put that into words, I really don’t.

James: I have to admit that I always hesitate to say who I really am. Honestly, does a client want to work with a writer who wears jeans, sneakers and a leather jacket while listening to loud rock music?

The truth is that I’m a regular guy like anyone else. I have two kids and I worry about them all the time. I think I’m going to screw them up, I wonder if they’ll be safe in life, I worry whether I’ve instilled enough confidence in them or given them a good childhood to remember.

Maybe all they’ll remember is that Daddy was at the computer a lot - or maybe they’ll remember that Daddy goes snowtubing or skates or loves playing with model trains.

Stephen’s Response: Well, truth be told, all of us are on a lifelong journey, figuring our way through twists and turns. I once gave a talk years ago about how our lives are like the grooves on a record. We start at the outer rim and work our way toward the center. Each groove represents a life-changing moment and if we’re successfully able to work through the challenges, we move on to the next groove but never quite reaching the center (except for very few that do - they’re like “enlightened beings” or something of that nature). The point of using the record was to demonstrate that we are all human and none of us are perfect, especially those who try to put up a facade and act like they are superior in some way. The fact of the matter is what James said, “I’m just a regular guy like everybody else.” Even the celebrities are “regular people” despite the image the try to project, thanks to their agents and PR people.

9. What is the best advice you’ve ever received? Given?

Harry: Work smarter, not harder. It’s the best advice ever given or received. I forget who told me, but I know I told James once and he’s never forgotten what I said.

James: I had to think a long time over this one. I don’t feel that I’ve ever really received good advice that stuck with me - maybe I just forgot it. I think the best advice I could give is to always find the positive aspects of every situation. Focusing on the negative only drags you down. There’s good in everything.

Oh - and everyone’s allowed a second chance.

Stephen’s Response: Both of you have touched on a core belief that I’ve had throughout most of my adult life (truth be told, I’m NOT an adult - I’m a child at heart but don’t tell anyone that, okay?), and that’s the value of finding the good in everything that touches you. Even people who appear to be evil or arrogant can be our teachers like the “Arrogant Bank Boss” who tried to make my life miserable when I was working for him at a major Wall Street bank during the 80s.

And of course, I love the idea that everyone is allowed a second chance. Remember Bill Clinton? The comeback kid? My point exactly!

10. What do you consider your proudest achievement in life?

James: I ride horses - or actually, I used to ride, because it’s been two years since I’ve been in the saddle. I was a voracious equestrian with a ton of focus and a determination. I loved jumping, perfecting a maneuver, and learning.

I used to compete in the summers. Two summers in a row, I won almost every ribbon at the show. I felt like I was shining. No one could touch me - it was great. I have a shoebox stuffed with all the ribbons.

Harry: Right here, right now. I’m most proud of our blog and business. I never thought I’d see the day when I’d be working in my own business. (Look Mom! I’m using my degree!) I’m just glad I have a partner like James to help make this all work.

James: Oh - well, yes, that too. I’m very proud of the business. That went without say

Stephen’s Response: The first thing that came to mind was the movie “Dreamers: Inspired by a True Story” that came out in 2005. Have you seen it?

The young actress Dakota Fanning did a fabulous job in that movie. I have to admit that I am not much of a horse fan (I’m more of a dog kind of guy) and almost didn’t rent the movie. But I did and ended up loving it. I was so inspired by the horse in that movie that it made me reconsider the idea of giving horseback riding another shot. I once went horseback riding with some friends years ago and remember being scared of the huge beast. It was so HUGE and intimidating. I think it knew I was nervous but thankfully it gave me a gentle ride but I was so sore the next day because of all that tension in my buttocks and legs!

Well, gentlemen, that about concludes the first part of our interview. I really enjoyed having you here! We look forward to having you back next week.

Turning to the audience: (I have such a dramatic flair don’t I? Wink, wink). Let’s see here. I have a lot of new posts coming up soon including another update on my bestselling book journey, a new video post and plenty of new material so stay tuned!

Until next time, enjoy yourselves……..(Part II continues here).

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