Author: selfpublishingadvisor

BUILDING SAND CASTLES…

Some time ago—during a wonderful day of listening to the writings of poets, essayists, short-story writers and mystery weavers—I heard one whispering voice behind me make the following statement:  “No one will ever understand what I’m writing.  They just won’t take the time to consider the levels.”

That “level” of discouragement was not what I anticipated—or experienced up to that point—in the midst of this marvelous group of writers.  The fledgling authors were bubbling with enthusiasm.  The experienced (yet unpublished) writers spoke of challenges they’d met and new horizons before them.  And the published men and women seemed to actually sparkle as they autographed copies of their books and encouraged everyone.  When I tried to inconspicuously locate the person who’d spoken those disheartened words, the crowd had shuffled.  I didn’t want anyone leaving that gathering in such consternation, yet it was apparent that I would not be the one to reassure that person.

Later, as I thought about this unknown writer, a present-day author came to mind: Anne Lamott.  Some might call her more of a political activist; however, the popularity of her work has proven that writing with honesty will not only meet the unexpected needs of the writer, but also touch the lives of readers who WILL understand the multi-levels of development and meaning.  Ms. Lamott has published a book titled Bird by Bird: Some Instructions on Writing and Life.  Many of her statements inspire me and, yes, some confuse me a bit.  However the following—speaking directly to all writers—is so beautifully written that I must share it.

“You are lucky to be one of those people who wishes to build sand castles with words, who is willing to create a place where your imagination can wander. We build this place with the sand of memories; these castles are our memories and inventiveness made tangible. So part of us believes that when the tide starts coming in, we won’t really have lost anything, because actually only a symbol of it was there in the sand. Another part of us thinks we’ll figure out a way to divert the ocean. This is what separates artists from ordinary people: the belief, deep in our hearts, that if we build our castles well enough, somehow the ocean won’t wash them away.”

So it is, my friends, that I encourage every writer out there to “build your sand castles!”  Weave your memories with research and imagination.  Let the characters—the “people”—whose passions must be heard tell their stories.  Then PUBLISH!

ABOUT ROYALENE DOYLE: Royalene Doyle is a Ghostwriter with Outskirts Press, bringing more than 35 years of writing experience to authors who need “just a little assistance” with completing their writing projects. She has worked with both experienced and fledgling writers helping complete projects in multiple genres. When a writer brings the passion they have for their work and combines it with Royalene’s passion to see the finished project in print, books are published and the writer’s legacy is passed forward.