I just did an interview with Glenn Garnes, who asked, were the characters in The Go-Giver based on real people, or wholly fictional?
Half and half, I told him. There are bits and pieces of real people there—and also bits and pieces of real-life dialog and events. Glenn got such a kick out of some of these behind-the-scenes Go-Giver reality tidbits, I thought I’d share a few here:
In chapter 2, Pindar tells Joe about a conversation he once had with Larry King.
This conversation is a nearly verbatim account of an actual conversation Bob Burg had with the real Larry King, backstage in the green room, when they were both speaking at the same event.
A few pages later in chapter 2, Pindar tells Joe:
“The majority of people operate with a mindset that says to the fireplace, ‘First give me some heat, then I’ll throw on some logs.’ Or says to the bank, ‘Give me interest on my money, then I’ll make a deposit.’ And of course, it just doesn’t work that way.”
The fireplace-and-logs image was something Bob Burg and I had both heard from Bob Proctor. After the book came out, I was poking around in the classics of the success literature (while writing John Assaraf’s The Vision Board Book) and discovered that Proctor had gotten it from his teacher, the great Earl Nightingale.
And what about Pindar himself?
The Chairman is in fact a thinly veiled Proctor. (See? The names are even similar!) It was only after the book came out that I remembered this additional thread: when I was nineteen I studied composition in music school in New York with a wonderful man, now justly famous in choral music circles, named Peter Pindar Stearns.
Click over to his Facebook page: I ask you, is that the face of wise mentor, or what?
Many people have asked us, Is Debra Davenport a real person?
Sort of. She was based (very loosely) on a friend of Bob’s, the supersuccessful Realtor® Terri Murphy (Bob describes her in Endless Referrals as “the $14 million woman”) — although I hasten to assure you that Terri’s personal history is nothing like Debra’s.
Debra’s core message of authenticity, and the law that it embodied (the Law of Authenticity) were inspired by the example of my sweet wife, Ana.
Her name I borrowed from two friends, Debra Hansen and Rita Davenport.
Or so I thought . . . until July 11, 2008, when I got an email from an Eva Petra, who works as executive assistant and publicist for a professional executive coach and motivational speaker named . . . (wait for it) . . . Debra Davenport.
Seriously.
“I work for Dr. Debra Davenport in Phoenix, Arizona [wrote Eva], and she speaks frequently about authenticity, self-empowerment, altruism, and a number of other powerful personal/professional development topics. I’m just wondering if this is the same Debra Davenport.”
Um, no. At least, we don’t think so.
But hey, the lines between fiction and non- are perhaps a little blurrier than we thought.
Very cool to know, John. But – where’d Rachel come from? I must meet her, and learn all about her coffee connections. We coffee snobs must stick together. Finding good beans, good roasters, and knowing how to brew a great cup is important. 🙂
Funny about that. We actually heard from a woman in South America who was doing something very similar to Rachel’s Famous Coffee Foundation. And we also heard from a reader in California who owns a fantastic coffee business, whose name is (wait for it) . . . Joe.
Joe Arioto writes: “I am amazed by the similarity of your book and my life.”
Hey. That fuzzy line.
Nothing deepens the richness and value of an already wonderful book more than finding out the ‘real life’ connections it contains. Of late I am finding that virtually all of the authors whose works are blessing my socks off have had the gift of those who spoke truth, wisdom and vitality into their lives…..that fuzzy line again??? Oh, how I would love to gather my small and select group of favorite story-weavers in one place and be privy to the tales then shared!
Blessings to you and Bob, John, and a warm hug for Ana. So sorry I had to miss Vegas, but October and SLC are not TOO far off! God bless!
I’ve had the opportunity to meet Rita Davenport several times. My wife was even a guest at her house once. She’s a great lady who embodies the Go-Giver spirit. A fitting example to borrow a name from. Good choice. 🙂
Interesting! Makes the point that many live “similar stories”! The story about Debra was VERY similar to my own AND my own message. The lessons don’t change. It’s the story that often brings it home! Thanks so much for writing them!
Can’t WAIT for the movie!