Asher Sisneros

Asher K. Sisneros

Dr. Gary North

American Literature

December 5, 2024

Note: Dr. Gary North’s writing prompt this morning was amusing. He said, “If you wanted to make money by writing a self-improvement book for Americans, what would you write about?” Well, ol’ North, here’s your answer.  

If I wrote a self-improvement book for Americans, it would probably be about public speaking. To write a book, one must be an expert on the subject and an authoritative voice in their given field. My father once told me that to become great at something, one must be fascinated by it. And while I’m not entirely sure why, for the longest time, I’ve been enamored with public speaking. 

Please, beloved reader, do not laugh at this, but I even told my mother a few years ago that if I could achieve one ambition in life and make a name for myself in this country doing one thing, I wanted to be known as the greatest public speaker in America. Now, that was many years ago. Back in that day, I also thought becoming a billionaire was a noble ambition. So the man I am today is not the same as the man I was then, and I’ve thankfully matured a lot. But while I may not have as temporal and vain ambitions as before like the pursuit of wealth and prowess, I have retained a fascination with public speaking. 

Although I am by no means an expert at public speaking, only having given two speeches in the past year, it’s an interesting topic I see myself studying in more detail in the future. Coupled with further study, perhaps my interest in the topic may morph into expertise far into the future. If that is the case, of all the self-improvement topics one could write about, public speaking seems the most plausible. 

Besides, it’s what we Sisneros like to call a double-whammy. 

First, there is a large base, i.e., potential market. Think of all the inarticulate Americans rummaging through the streets, incapable of speaking in a concise and clear manner. Those poor souls! As social creatures, we humans are inherently dependent on the ability to communicate. And despite digital technology, social media, texting, and even Neuralink brain chips, verbal and vocal communication is not going anywhere. As long as big-mouthed Italians, pushy used car salesmen, and inner-city hustlers continue to exist, the human mouth will still be a primary mode of communication. So the need is there. 

Secondly, even if I didn’t write a best-selling self-improvement book, mastering the art of talking has numerous personal benefits. It’s good for business, impressing grandparents, and spreading the gospel. Everyone advances a worldview in their words and actions. If my words will inherently reflect the Christian worldview, those words might as well be articulate. It is, after all, the truest message. So mastering the art of public speaking is a useful tool, all best-selling books aside. 

But who knows? Public speaking could be my ticket to wealth, fame, and prosperity after all. Or are those just the vain ambitions of an old and unregenerate man seeking to mar the conscience of a duty-bound Christian? Only time will tell.