‘TIS THE SEASON TO SMELL THE CHESTNUTS ROASTING

Have you had the opportunity to quietly observe any of your favorite authors? Maybe you’ve met one or two at writer’s conferences, or genre-specific clubs, or the primer opening of a movie made from one of their novels. The majority of my favorite authors I’ve “met” through their biography or autobiography. However, I have had the pleasure of meeting a few at conferences where I’ve also been able to observe them from a respectful distance. Much to my personal delight, what I’ve noticed most often is their ability to tap into what I’ll call their child-likeness. By that I mean they have developed a wide-eyed, adventurous attitude that gives them a sweeping perspective of all the elements in the moment they’re experiencing whether it is an intense conversation with an agent or listening to jokes over coffee and muffins. Bottom line: authors are people, too; which makes their writing richer. And almost without exception, each published (successful) author I’ve met has given me HOPE, encouraging me to continue my own writing journey.

There are, however, two genres of writing that seem to produce authors who go above and beyond to encourage every writer they meet: The Biography/Autobiography/Memoir authors, and the Faith/Religious/Spiritual Growth authors. I find myself collecting more of their books all the time, because as I turn each page I’m encouraged and challenged to keep going and never give up on the gift of writing that tickles my thoughts every day.

One such book is The Backside of Hope by Connie Eldridge and Timothy Wimberly, which speaks volumes to me as I face daily decisions that will affect my path toward my achieving my “big dreams.” Eldridge and Wimberly wrote this true story about Wimberly’s life that had become devoid of hope—until his life became the story that moved him forward in forgiveness, restoration, and receiving the love of the Heavenly Father.

Another book on my shelf is, Revealing Divine Mysteries of the LORD of Mercy by Prophetess Mary Johnson-Gordon. This author’s writing style is dynamic and dramatic. Although I’ve read it several time, I still find myself randomly opening to a chapter and re-discovering the amazing Truth of God’s extreme love of each and every one of us—His very real, constant and unconditional Love!

The experiences of this author (who is a Native American of the Haliwa Saponi Tribe) also reveal how God has set up a support-system for us which includes the angelic hosts of heaven, the saints of heaven (like Mary, the mother of Jesus, Paul the apostle) and the Holy Spirit, Who is intimately available to us. “Life” has an amazing Supernatural element to those who are willing to accept it no matter what our vocation might be.

Authors of these two specific genre categories write with great passion and that desire for excellence is passed forward to us as we “catch their fire.” One young author who caught the fire of Hope and Faith is Lailah Gifty Akita (from Ghana) who is quoted saying, “Write your dreams in journal, notebook, card or on a cork. When you pen down your dreams, an inner strength and divine power is activated for you to work towards the fulfillment of your dreams.” Her book, The Wings of HOPE: Survivor is also a self-published book that will inspire generations.

SO, during the two days I’ve set aside for the me/writer this week, I’ll be reaching for an inspiring book written by authors who reveal the passion in WORDS. Of course, there is no way I’ll be able to read the whole book, however, catching just a glimpse of their “fire” will help be ignite my own. I hope you’ll do the same. ⚓︎

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene has been writing something since before kindergarten days and continues to love the process. Through her small business—DOYLE WRITING SERVICES—she brings more than 40 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their projects. This is a nice fit as she develops these blogs for Outskirts Press (OP) a leading self-publisher, and occasionally accepts a ghostwriting project from one of their clients. Her recent book release (with OP) titled FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words, is already receiving excellent reviews including several professional writer’s endorsements given on the book’s back cover.

Royalene’s writing experience grew through a wide variety of positions from Office Manager and Administrative Assistant to Teacher of Literature and Advanced Writing courses and editor/writer for an International Christian ministry. Her willingness to listen to struggling authors, learn their goals and expectations and discern their writing voice has brought many manuscripts into the published books arena. This is Royalene’s last month writing for Self Publishing Advisor.