Category: Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer

CRITICAL THINKING—IV

“Knowledge is the advancing retrieval of clarity from uncertainty and confusion.” I may not have quoted that exactly (nor do I remember where I heard or read it), however, I love the concept of “advancing retrieval.”  Tis’ a bit of a paradox, which intrigues me and requires me to tap into my objectivity abilities to separate what is from what I imagine or believe.

One of my best childhood and young-adult friends (who is not a writer) was a master at stating his opinion in absolute terms. That was a trap I fell into way too many times, especially when restating his “fact” in term papers.  I could have gone the way of several of our other friends who discounted everything he ever said.  However, in some rather miraculous way, I came to appreciate his often unfathomable views and utilize them as a point of comparison with what I was discovering to be reality.  So it is that I offer you my final (for now anyway) points to consider on the topic of Critical Thinking.  Together with the previous three blogs, I hope these concepts will help you produce superb writings and reader-recognition.

• Withhold Judgment. If a piece of information “tweaks” your ear and you immediately want to deny it—or accept and promote it—DIG DEEPER. Do the research. Go the extra investigative mile and put the puzzle pieces together. When the “fit” is natural, you’ll have your answer.
• De-pressurize the Pressure. If editors are pushing you to complete a book or article and the words “just get it done” fall into your ear, STOP! The immediate temptation to follow that direction could produce a written work you will not be happy with and—as we know well—it remains “in print” forever—everywhere. It’s okay to remind the editor that their reputation is in play, too. If they don’t care, you may not want to work with/for them again.
• Check and Re-Check the Facts. The journalistic rule of “two-or-more” sources is a good place to start. However, depending on your topic and the motive behind writing about it, building a chain of “evidence” that is good, better and best leads to a well-built and believable piece of writing.
• Don’t Fear Questions. If uncertainty remains in your mind, it’s okay to include those in your writing. Readers appreciate being included in the discovery process and will buy your next book on that topic to “see” what you’ve learned that they missed.
• Avoid Rationalization. I’ve listened to some “creative writing” instructors who insist that decisive writing is a technique that must be mastered and used in all written work. In the marketing arena everything is stated as “fact” and rationalization is a trap door used against the reader. Writers who employ this technique often fall into the consequences of poor decision-making themselves.

• Appreciate Your Own Intuition. Hunches are those intriguing and sometimes logically-illogic threads that lead to great discoveries. Never hesitate to listen to them and follow their paths until you’re satisfied with what you find.

All of these elements of Critical Thinking serve the writer in “advancing the retrieval” of pieces to the puzzle of their writing projects—big or small.  Join the adventure! Retrieve that remnant of an idea and start advancing it!  Soon you’ll have it published and be writing the next one!

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.

CRITICAL THINKING CAN BE FRIGHTENING

Realizing that this blog entry will land on the day most commonly known as Halloween, it seems appropriate to demonstrate how frighteningly scary conclusions can be when using the elements of strict critical thinking.  I’ve known authors who tell me that they have built all their projects according to “effective critical thinking based on reality.”  That statement always intrigues me because it appears to leave no room for the writer’s personal thought processes and creative skills and abilities.  So it is that I ask for their definition of the word “reality.”  Without exception, they fall back to the dictionary (scientific) definition: Reality is objective and exists independently of our desire, wishes, whims, and motives.  Can anyone really write within that framework?  The box it creates—in my subjective opinion—is a very constraining and frightening place.  Below are several “critical thinking” elements that I hope will FREE every writer to be the most creative they can be.

Appreciate the “realities” known today.  As a plot is developed and character “birthed” into the storyline, the creative thinking process benefits from research and the accuracy delivered from “understood reality.”  Even the most commonly stated “facts” are viewed through the perspective of writers who, in turn, bend those perspectives toward the viewpoints of their characters.  This requires a lot of finesse to make every element in the book believable.

Accepting facts at “face value” creates closed minds and lost opportunities. There is a quote that goes something like this: When I was a child, I thought as a child; now that I’m a man, I must think like a man.  REALLY?  As I’ve grown older, I’ve become aware that people expect me to think (and believe) the widely held opinions of my community (state, country).  There seems to be a “comfort zone” in that majority of consensus-thinking and it is an easy path to follow.  However, writers are cut from a little different cloth.  We need to chew on things a little longer.  We need to dig a little deeper and come to our own conclusions—even if they cause a bit of friction or seem frightening to others.

Be not ambiguous! I’ve come to accept that every piece of writing—whether fiction or nonfiction—that comes into my hand causes me to question something.  Most often, the question relates to the main topic such as the unknowns of outer space or the intimacy between God and man.  If the writer presents the topic with multiple shades of gray, I quickly lose interest and rarely complete reading.  However, if the author presents “the truth” (as they see it) I’m intrigued and consider those points for days, months even years to come.  Truth withstands debate and brings readers back to read more from a particular author.

Be productive! Writers MUST write.  It is literally IN our DNA.  We must also slay the self-doubt dragons and the bad attitude-ites.  If you’ve never had the thought that “this book is stupid,” or “no one reads this genre anymore,” then you must be very new to the craft.  So it is that I offer this strategy:  IMMEDIATELY dismiss those feelings and replace them with WORK at the keyboard.  TURN your fears to dust and your focus to the topic at hand.  Shake hands with your characters and bring their stories to LIFE on the page before you.  And when the writing is done—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.

CRITICAL THINKING-WRITING II

Someone once told me that my true vocation was as a CSI (crime scene investigator) in the writing field because I question everything and look for better answers.  That particular person’s tone was a bit thick with sarcasm.  However I accepted it as a moment of “constructive criticism.”  Since then, I’ve developed several “rebellious” elements to my writing career that have greatly enhanced my editing techniques and (in my opinion) bring out the best in the manuscripts I’m editing or ghostwriting.  The following four points are part of those strategies.  I hope they will also help you fine-tune and enhance your projects.

1. IF A CONCEPT is presented as “the accepted wisdom” or the “the way things are always done,” don’t hesitate to challenge it! Our society—humanity in general—and the thousands of cultural groups within it have, indeed, developed what is referred to as “conventional wisdoms.” They are established rules based on general assumptions that have proven to be accurate “the majority of the time.” These suppositions beg to be questioned and, in many instances, can be used in a storyline or the development of a character to demonstrate the harm of blindly believing the accepted wisdom or statement of fact—facts that the next generation discover to be untrue.
2. Automatically accepting all authority is the other side of the following-conventional-wisdom coin. It is up to us (writers) to weed through the authority-maze, research viable options, and write about them. It is worthwhile to demonstrate the many levels of “authority” in our lives that protect us and our property, keep our cities and country functioning and guide us spiritually. However, it is even more valuable to expose the traps set by the PR firms of the world—ploys that are too often exploited in other areas of life to manipulate and deceive us.
3. Don’t JUMP on the Bandwagon! If a certain genre has become popular and you see other writers turning their efforts in that direction, STOP! Should you be joining them? Ask yourself whether or not that genre peaks your interest. Check your passion quotient. If you’re not attracted to that field of writing—and research—stick to your own area. While other authors are drawn in by the intensity of the moment, you will be at the cutting edge of the genre you enjoy most. THIS will get the attention of readers, while the others will be lost among all the other instruments on that bandwagon.
4. Lastly, resist the pull of emotionalism. Each of the three strategies mentioned above involve elements of emotional connection to our human automatic response systems. Emotions often blur clear vision. If there is anger toward an authority figure or establishment, a writer’s thought process can become jumbled. The “accepted wisdom of current thought” can supersede what really needs to be written and bandwagon-emotionalism will lead a writer down many wrong “rabbit trails.”

BEING an author and living the life of a Career Writer is so much more than a job.  If you’re like me, your friends think that “all you do is sit around and play on the computer.”  Yet the playing we do becomes STORIES peopled by unique characters who accomplish GREAT THINGS and INSPIRE others around the world.  So, WRITE your stories, my friend.  GET PUBLISHED!  And, enjoy the accolades of your friends and neighbors.  Your TIME is NOW!

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.

CRITICAL THINKING-WRITING

Writing with critical thinking methods is often a challenge for me, especially when experiencing multiple emotional events.  However, clients call and projects must be completed.  Thankfully, I’ve developed a few steps that quickly get me back on track (usually).  My top three are:

DO whatever it takes to get to the office! Sitting myself down in front of the computer and resting my hands on the keyboard brings my focus to the table (as some folks say), and sets my thoughts in motion.  I like my office environment.  It has a big window overlooking a greenbelt with cottonwood and cloud vistas that always inspire me.  My desk surrounds me in a horseshoe shape—2/3^rds working area, 1/3^rd bookshelf/computer/printer stations.  A window-seat is covered with an eclectic collection of blankets to accommodate our two old-lady-cats.  It’s MY PLACE to write; my place to connect with the writing flow.  If you’re a multitasker, you probably have several projects going at once, so my next “get-organized” step will be an absolute for you.

Surround yourself with your immediate, must-get-done-now projects. I start at the corner of my desk to my left, laying out each file as they come into my hand, and continuing until they are all visible—OR—I’ve reached the telephone (which is the last available desktop space).  Now, catch your breath.  Didn’t know you had so many, did you?  Personally, I combine my client projects AND my personal projects in this grouping.  Each one is important to me and my clients, and the simple act of laying them out has already given me an inkling of the order in which they must be completed.  Yep—rearrange them in that order.  Some will be more immediate than others because of the DUE BY dates.  Others will filter to the top because of the client need or expectations.  And occasionally, a book project pulls itself up the timeline because of my personal interests—which leads me to the next step.

Allow your writer’s curiosity to move a project closer to the front of the line. Our world and the people in it offer infinite opportunities for discovery and infinite subjects to write about.  So whether you’re assisting someone in developing their book, or writing your own, open your heart and mind with the curiosity key that will open new doors.  Exploring “where others have not gone before” is exciting; an adventure that will not only enhance the writing of the current project, but will also cultivate seedlings for many new ones.

And, the last step (for today) is to KEEP your sense of perspective.  If one of your book projects looms TOO BIG before you, it probably needs to be cut down to size—literally.  It may actually be a two or three book series.  And, from a personal perspective, projects like that can cause us to become “unbalanced” in time-management.  If one client (one topic, one editor, one co-author, etc.) becomes TOO needy, the time needed to actually complete that project can evaporate.  SO…do the “scale from one to ten” measurement, with one being your opportunity to watch a sunrise and ten being the outbreak of thermonuclear war because you didn’t get the resolution response written.  WHERE do your projects fit along that scale?  I’m guessing that none will reach the ten-level.

Now, take another deep breath and relax. All your writings WILL be completed in due time!  The old saying that “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven,” is true.  The season for your book to be written and published is right now and into tomorrow!

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.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS…

In my previous blog entry I spoke about the concept of allowing the writer within us to move beyond “empathy” (concerning other authors) and look for the insights we can discover from their lives.  Well, in the past several days, I’ve been plopped is circumstances that gave me yet another perspective with new opportunities to do just that—take those thought-walks in someone else’s work-boots and experience new insights. My husband was hospitalized for knee-replacement surgery—which went well. However, there were some unexpected complications.  (He’s doing much better today, is out of the hospital and in rehab for which we are so thankful!)  Today is my first day back at the computer for any length of time.  It feels good!

I’m one of those sit-beside-the-hospital-bed types of people and I actually have a “go bag” that contains sealed eating utensils, packages of Kleenex, pens, a notebook and (of course) reading materials.  As my husband and I visited last night, he mentioned that one of the hospital’s housekeeping staff asked him about the books we were reading.  Several of the nurses and CNA’s had also commented about our selection of books.  During those conversations we all learned a little more about each other—seeing each other for the uniquely individual people we are—AND CONNECTING with the BOOKS, their authors, and the concepts (insights) presented within them.

My husband and I are daily readers of a little book titled: JESUS CALLING.  Yep, it’s written by a Christian—Sarah Young—which I hope won’t discourage you from reading it.  Her example to writers of all genres is incalculable.  She and her husband live in Perth, Western Australia, often called the most isolated city in the world.  Sarah also experiences the physical challenges of ongoing battles with ill health.  However, she IS A WRITER, and an encourager, and the combination of those two elements keep her at the computer.  In one interview she said: “I am convinced that if I had been healthier I would not have been able to write this book.  It chronicles my journey from discouragement to hope.  There seems to be a sense of hopelessness creeping into many people’s mindsets as they look at problems in their lives and in world events.  But Hope is available—no matter what is happening around us.”

The other book I was reading—while sitting in that “comfortable” guest chair—is ONE NATION: What We Can All Do To Save America’s Future by Ben Carson.  One of our daughter’s gave us her copy knowing how concerned we are about our USA, and our efforts to keep informed.  I haven’t finished the book yet, but each chapter has offered me insight, perspective and encouragement.  If you don’t know this author’s “story,” you’re missing out, because he is not only an example of overcoming poverty, but of overcoming outburst-anger issues and low self-esteem.  So many authors throughout history have dealt with such issues and fallen prey to them.  Mr. Carson demonstrates the multi-ladder-steps to personal, community, career and national success.  I am now excited to read ALL his BOOKS.

And so it can be for you! Readers will be excited to bring your books into their homes and share them with everyone they know.  Of course, you must write them—and get them published!  There is no time like TODAY to do it!

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.