Category: Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer

Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 3/11/2016

WHAT IF…ALL Books Were Banned?

Ray Bradbury (one of my favorite Sci-fi authors) says, “There are worse crimes than burning books. One of them is not reading them.” In 1953 he wrote a novel titled: Fahrenheit 451 (the temperature needed to ignite paper), which became a must read classic almost immediately. The future of America portrayed in these pages does, indeed, paint a sad picture. However, it ends with HOPE when the main character makes his way into the countryside and finds book lovers who live there—who have memorized books—for the time when people are ready to rediscover their value.

bradbury

IF you haven’t read this marvelous novel before, I won’t tell you the ending. Yet, as an author and writing coach, I will suggest you look for one of Bradbury’s main themes which is so beautiful written/woven throughout the book: the cycles of life and living. All writers of all genres can benefit from understanding this concept at greater and greater levels throughout their writing careers. The concept of “to everything there is a season,” is played out in real life each and every day—in our own lives and our Readers’ lives—and must be developed in the actions and events of our characters’ lives.

Another of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, offers a quote that should give all writers encouragement: The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more you learn, the more places you’ll go.” On the surface, these points may not seem to relate to Bradbury’s Fahrenheit theme. Yet relating reading (the great value of reading) to learning and going places IS the hope of all writers who develop their stories (either fact or fiction) with the heart of their Readers in mind—giving them the opportunity to GO where their feet cannot take them.

Last week I gave you the statistics of Readers who purchase fiction (53%) and non-fiction (43%) books. In the fiction category, fifty-five percent (55%) is bought by women and forty-five (45%) by men. Of all those who read fiction, their favorite genres are mystery/suspense (19%), leaving the remainder of the eighty-one percent (81%) to enjoy each of our preferred genres—which definitely gives each author/writer a strong foundation from which to promote our books. And yet, IF the day comes when banning books is the norm rather than the exception, HOW would be deal with it?

As a parent, grandparent and great-grandparent, I admit that I’ve essentially “banned” specific books from the shelves of my children. There is a safety zone needed when it comes to young minds that are not yet developed to the point of clear and logical thinking. However, in recent years I’ve come to wonder whether there really are some books—that promote ugly and dehumanizing ideas—that should never even be published. Many traditional and self-publishing houses are accepting the role of “parent” in this respect, and I applaud them!

As I close today, I will leave you with thoughts (quote) from Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple, who faced some hefty criticism: “Great literature is help for humans. It is medicine of the highest order…It can lift them [readers] into a new realization of their own power, beauty, love, courage.…[having] the best interests of all of us humans at heart. That we grow, change, challenge, encourage, love fiercely in the awareness that real love can never be incorrect.”

banned book week

Great authors will always receive censure—just look at the centuries of detractors who have tried to “ban” the Bible. When authors create works that are in “the best interests of all us humans,” their/your books will remain “until the end of time.” Go Forth! READ! Write! Publish!

⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks

Conversations: 3/4/2016

WHAT IF…We Could Not Read?

 

Do you remember the times—sitting with one or both of your parents—as they read a story to you? Within my writing (and reading) group of friends, we’ve asked ourselves that question. Most remember turning the pages of their first Little Golden Books as someone’s voice “read the pictures.” A few recall pointing to an illustration on the page and then the word that matched it. Then, there’s me. I saved several of my early reading books—Little Golden Books: Three Little Kittens, Jack and the Beanstalk, and Tootle—and the children’s version of the Lassie and Tarzan series. Yet I don’t have any recollection of any reading to me. Both my parents were avid readers, but their books were their books and we rarely discussed them. Then someone gave me a copy of Annie Oakley, Sharpshooter! Yes, that was a Little Golden Book, too. I was reading on my own by then, and my imagination took flight! AND THAT IS WHAT WRITING—FOR READERS—IS ALL ABOUT! It never gets old to imagine the moment when someone reads what you’ve written and grasps the meaning.

communication

History tells us that humans are compelled to communicate—to tell their stories whether fact or fiction—thus the creation of writing (written languages) somewhere around 3200 BC. Just as the people of that ancient civilization found value in being able to share their thoughts, so it is that today, we find not only value but joy. Frederick Douglass, one of the most well-known African-American writers, statesmen and orators, said: “Once you learn to read, you will be forever free.” This also applies to the writer, who—once our skills are honed—enjoys a unique freedom with the completion of the last page of every manuscript! And, as Dr. Seuss says, “You can find magic wherever you look. Sit back and relax, all you need is a book!”

communication

Recent statistics tell us that over 120,000 books are published each year in the United States. Of those books, 53% of Readers seek out Fiction—and 43% select Non-Fiction. Does your genre of writing fit in one of these categories? Of course! So be encouraged! We are possibly the most blessed writing generation of all, because the majority of people on this planet are Readers.

DID you know that the whole month of March is National Reading Month? What are you doing to support this cause? An increased population of Readers will be an increased population of buyers for your books! The National Education Association will be hosting a 6-city Reading Tour. Check out their website for event schedules, planning tips, artwork, and more @ www.nea.org. The Scholastic teachers’ organization suggests selecting a theme (for yourself or your family, office friends, etc.). Some of their favorite themes include OUT of this World—Space, Wild About Reading—Jungles, and All American—Patriotic. For the writer in you, these themes should also inspire new projects!

The very creative and wild-idea-man, Walt Disney, once said: “There is more treasure in books than in all the pirate’s loot on Treasure Island.” Are you writing something golden? Have you started the project and find yourself stumped? READING one (or two) of those treasure books written by your favorite author—or a new author—just might inspire your next chapter(s). Reading IS the “pause that refreshes” and, as one of my writing mentors told us (constantly), “Passionate readers make skillful writers, and skillful writers become published authors of books that sell.” ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 2/26/2016

IMPASSIONED VISION TIMES TWO—Plus

Collaborative, creative development of one book and/or series is an exciting adventure that can benefit both authors and the readers who follow their work. If you are a Science Fiction/Fantasy reader/writer, you will remember The Halfblood Chronicles by Andre Norton and Mercedes Lackey and The Talisman by Stephen King and Peter Straub. If you’re a detective/mystery buff, you may know that the Ellery Queen mysteries were written by cousins Daniel Nathan and Manford Lepofsky. On today’s recently released shelves, you’ll find the true story/journey of Patricia and Alana Raybon (mother & daughter) titled: Undivided: A Muslim Daughter, Her Christian Mother, Their Path to Peace.

Whatever the genre, whatever topic, the old adage that “two heads are better than one” is also quite accurate when writing the best possible work of fiction or non-fiction. When you start working with a writing-partner, you’ll discover that one person’s idea spawns connecting thoughts in the other person and the book becomes better in the process. Much like film-making, where writer and director join forces, collaborating authors bring their own unique histories to the project. Here are three criteria for finding—and enjoying—that perfect partnership:

  • Vision: When you (the author) have formulated your core statement about your book—what it is, what it brings to the Reader—your co-author must share that vision. Both you and your teammate should see that picture and be passionate about developing it.
  • Adaptability: Some authors think they want a “helper” who will enhance their book by following the concepts “exactly” as the author has written it. If that is your position, you’re actually looking for an Editor who will correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure; without creative input.
    • However, the author who wants to actually explore enhancing their manuscript will be as adaptable and flexible in listening to ideas offered by their co-author. Their life experiences will improve plot, character, and setting. This is especially true for authors in the Inspirational genre: fiction and non-fiction.
  • Passion: Both authors must be passionate about their topic and share that impassioned vision that literally drives them to complete the manuscript. Every book on every bookshelf was written to “tell something important.” If the level of commitment is weak, so will be the finished product.

making connections

These three criteria also hold true after you’ve written the words: THE END. Then the search begins for the right publisher. Notice I’ve used the word right. There are several quality self-publishers out there (and some not so great). The self-publishing staff will become your book-making-crew—the cameraman, format editor, printer, marketing director.

  • Search their bookstore for two or three books in your genre, then ask for referral/contact information for those authors.
  • LOOK at the books they’ve printed—at your local bookstore and on the Internet.
  • Compare their publishing packages. This is a competitive business, so don’t be swayed by the first dollar-difference you see between companies.
  • LISTEN to the Author Representatives. It won’t take you long to discern whether they have a true passion for their work (helping authors like you)—or not.

Bottom line:  As the author and co-author, you are creating an alliance of experts that starts with you and ends when you hold your finished book in your hands. “Two are better than one” and a team that brings all their talents and skills together to produce your book is best. ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized, Writing

Conversations: 2/19/2016

IMPASSIONED LITTLE PIECES

A year ago this week, one of my very, very best friends (yes, I know, it’s not quality writing to use the word very, let alone use it twice; but the truth of it stands as is) passed from this earth.  She was one of the people I consider to be an extraordinary writer; one who could write with great passion and empathy whether she was developing a children’s novel, poetry, or creating magazine articles.  Her gift of writing extended beyond the written page as she used those intricate, intuitive skills to bring out the best in all the people she knew—whether writer or not.

I will give my friend the name Suzy, so this will read more smoothly.

Suzy never wanted to stop learning.  This desire sent her back to school in later adult years, where she graduated from college the same year as one of her sons.  Of course, her favorite class assignment was writing essays, and she was often acknowledged for the excellent work.

This love and passion for writing was what drew both Suzy and me to the same Creative Writing summer class which eventually spun itself into the cocoon of our own monthly writer’s workshop.  We both fed off the high energy of our eclectic group of writers.  When we organized weekend retreats (once or twice a year), the many hours of critique and work sessions inspired us for weeks and months to come.

writing at desk

Over these many years, being privileged to know numerous writers, I’ve developed a great appreciation in the uniqueness of each individual.  But it was Suzy who taught me how to listen to their writing voices and see their unique perspectives—ideas that they were passionate about. Yet, not matter how many manuscript pages a writer produces, IF THEY DON’T PUBLISH, their voice—their perspective—their passion—won’t reach beyond the few people in their daily lives.  The writer must become the author who releases their work to the world.

Much of Suzy’s work has been published, especially in her magazine editorial years.  But she always returned to her prose writing.  At one point, Suzy became a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers which helped her hone writing techniques for this specific genre.  One story in particular carried such intensity of emotion, woven with the power of colliding circumstances, that I have not forgotten it—in all these years.  The characters were alive and the workable resolutions were clearly inspiring to all of us who were privileged to read the manuscript.  However, she never published that novel.

So it is that I dedicate my writings today—in honor of my very, very best friend Suzy—and to all those writers out there who are holding tightly to a manuscript that needs to see the light of day.  Don’t hold back!  If you need help to complete it, call a writing friend, join an active workshop, or find a ghostwriter who shares the passion for your topic, and GET IT PUBLISHED! ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized, Writing

Conversations: 2/12/2016

IMPASSIONED DETERMINATION

Since I was a teen, I’ve been pursued by ideas—stories—that had to be written.  I’ve started multiple manuscripts in various genres from young adult to science fiction, mystery and children’s books.  The generic reject letters from the “old guard” publishers—who never even read my cover letter—seemed to come back to me almost before I sent the queries.  Then I discovered that the self-publishing industry was beginning to re-invent itself.  Could I adjust my old paradigms and consider options beyond the gates of publishing “houses?”

Because the very nature of being a writer takes place in what I fondly label solitary confinement—poised behind a desk with pen and paper in hand or wrists resting on the computer keyboard—most writers work alone.  This self-imposed cocoon is great for the flow of creativity, but harmful when we’re ready to face the new hurdle of how to make this novel (poetry book, cookbook, short story anthology, etc.) available to the Readers.  That is when my librarian’s words became golden advice: “Why don’t you try the writer’s workshop we’re hosting?”

adult education class

Magic happened!  Since 1976, I was nestled in a group of very active writers—a producing writers workshop—where everyone became “published” in one form or another.  We helped each other find our niché in such publishing arenas as newspaper columns, poetry chapbooks, cookbooks and magazines.  We grew in our writing skills and nurtured each other along through gentle critique. TIME has now taken many of this group home.  However, the impassioned determination to write and publish remains strong within me.

I have expanded my writing horizons by attending Writers Conferences, selecting workshops specific to my genre and rubbing elbows with published writers, editors, literary agents, creative writing consultants and marketing experts.  These conferences are great for building up a writers’ knowledge base of the publishing world and finding encouragement.  Can a publisher—from a publishing house—be found there?  Yes.

Am I just as passionately determined to write my books and get them published as I was forty years ago?  No.  Even though I can still see my book-child smothered under piles of other manuscripts only to find breathing room a year (or two) after I submit it to a publishing house, I am even more resolute to get my work in print and IN the hands of readers!

The GOOD NEWS is—the World of Publishing has changed!  Writers now have a great option to self-publish!  The old stigmas associated with self-publishing have all but disappeared being replaced by exciting new ways to print, distribute and market—and even catch the eye of film producers.  And possibly best of all, writers can now retain ALL their rights and control of their own creations.  From my impassioned and determined perspective, tomorrow is here today in the self-publishing business.  My first book—FIREPROOF PROVERBS, A Writer’s Study of Words—was released in May 2015!  WHEN will yours be released? ⚓︎

RoyaleneABOUT 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.