MARCH INTO SPRING

WITH A SPRING IN YOUR WRITING STEP Part IV

There is another layer of the Inspiration genre that is a blend of True Story/Memoir/Life Lessons. Many of these books (and their authors) have offered totally new perspectives that have enhanced my writing abilities. I am fairly certain you have a few favorites on your bookshelves, too. They definitely fit my criteria of educational reading as they enhance the skills of all writers of every genre.

The first example I’ve selected today is by author Eane Huff. I must admit that I was drawn to the book by the author’s last name because of my friendship with a husband and wife writing team who share that name. I have no idea if they are related. However, Eane Huff’s book Wednesdays with Jerry, definitely fits my friends’ concept of encouraging others.

When a student (who has experienced a challenging head trauma) dreams of obtaining a master’s degree it would be understandable if he gave up. But he didn’t—because—an amazing teacher walked into his life and gave him the tools needed to succeed.  This short book is highly recommended reading for all special educators—a True Story/illustration of ways to introduce compassion, belief and mastery of life’s bumps to help others reach for their highest hopes. AND, for fiction writers, you’ll be inspired to develop your protagonist characters with many of these qualities.

My second example today is from author Elizabeth Stone: The Midnight Call.

Some might say it is the exact opposite of book and story above because of the tragic moments it reveals. However, by honestly sharing the events in her son’s life it is the author’s hope that—as people read the pages of their family’s true story—they will find the support and encouragement needed to go beyond surviving the moments of their own difficulties to find the brighter days of tomorrow.

Stone shares the joy of their first son’s birth—when that brand new person, that new individual whose personality and passions—entered and gladdened the hearts of their whole family. She also tells about his later days of addiction to alcohol and drugs which trapped them all in days, months and years that often spiraled out of control. Many hearts were broken—yet today they are healing and making choices to live life and smile again. Writing and publishing this book (which offers helpful support resources) will help anyone who is experiencing these life events. AND, again, the fiction writer will find many key components to help develop multi-level, real characters.

As I was searching for examples in this True Story/Memoir/Life Lessons category, I remembered a very special newspaper columnist by the name of Gene Amole. He not only “did” a column for Denver’s Rocky Mountain News, but his creative writing legacy touched radio and television. His first book was AMOLE: One More Time, a collection of his wisdom, wit, and humanity that earned him intense reader loyalty. His last book, The Last Chapter, starts with the column that announced he was dying. “Still, I am not retiring,” he said, “Just taking on a new assignment.” And so he did—for six months. His craftsmanship with the written word, his humor, compassion and celebration of family and friends, has left behind a writers legacy to be admired and emulated.

Deep within every writer’s heart I believe we all have this dream of leaving a legacy of written work behind us. It is not a pipe-dream. We can do it, too!  ⚓︎

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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.

MARCH INTO SPRING

WITH A SPRING IN YOUR WRITING STEP Part III

Today I continue with examples of books written by authors who publish in the genre of Inspiration/Faith and who meet my criteria of educational reading that enhances the education of all writers no matter what genre we write.

Many of these authors are sharing their own true stories, revealing the miracles that have taken place in their lives and the lives of people they know. I will admit that this was a genre I avoided for years. I’m not sure why—other than the fact that I was never encouraged to investigate theses book on our library shelves. However, once I connected with several real authors who have published in this category, I can’t seem to get enough of them.

Finding strength and courage to meet life’s challenges is a main topic of this genre. Author Rachel Dupree-Grant offers her true life story—Being Strong in the Faith—that demonstrates it is possible to rise from poverty and climb the ladder of success no matter the obstacles or abuses or storms that are thrown against you. Through every situation she believes God is a Healer and a mountain mover. Rachel includes Scriptures and prayers that help us all grow in Faith and “be strong.”

Author, Mary Johnson-Gordon, writes of her personal experiences in Revealing Divine Mysteries of the LORD of Mercy. With boldness she informs us that her book publishing is mandated by God so that all people will know of His extreme—and very real—love for us. Detailing her visions and transport into Heavenly realms where she is taught many things we close the book praying for such a close walk with God. The revelations are, indeed, inspiring and have led me to consider my own writer’s calling—the skills God has planted in me to be an active part of His plans.

My third example today offers practical and healthy living guidance. Author Ellie Marrandette offers us sensible Biblical principles in Life’s Too Short To Eat Bad Cheese, as she shows us how to restore and maintain our health and vitality. I love her quote on Amazon: “…people needlessly consume ‘sticks and twigs’ or drink tasteless protein shakes when God has already given us a perfect dietary plan in Genesis.” I don’t know about you, but all my life I’ve heard that “if you just quit eating chocolate and cheese you’ll lose weight.” Finding this author’s book give a whole new perspective for me.

As these examples “testify” the Faith and Inspiration genre is wide open to a variety of topics which expands even wider when writers realize this includes the categories of Business, Building, Education, Politics, Personal Relationships and oh, so many more.

And why should we think of great success in this Faith/Inspiration genre? Have you heard about the miraculous publishing story of a little book called The Shack? The author will quickly tell you that he’s just as amazed as anyone about its success. It was on The New York Times Best Seller’s list from June 2008 until early 2010—and the movie was just released this month!

So…let your own Faith be heard! Write! Publish! Be blessed!  ⚓︎

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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.

MARCH INTO SPRING

WITH A SPRING IN YOUR WRITING STEP Part II

Continuing with concepts about genre writing that meets my criteria of educational reading, this week I’ll focus on the Fiction/Mystery/Historical Fiction genres. For me, these novels pivot on the depth of development of the main character(s) and key supporting characters.

Just recently I discovered the author Valentine Cardinale—wondering if that is a pseudonym—then discovering it’s his real name and a memorable author’s name it is, indeed. His most recent book release is BREAKAWAY staring Father Richard Bianchi who can’t help but become a “private” investigator in the drama surrounding the abduction of Eddie Dvorak.

Cardinale has tapped into a growing concern among people around the world, especially Americans who travel abroad. I don’t know if this author did any background research in abductions, however, here are a few statistics that may peak your interest.

• In 2014 there were 83,957 missing person cases in the U.S. alone.
• 50,569 adults
• 33,388 under 18 years of age
• An average of 750,000 are reported each year

Should we (people) be educating themselves about the abductions happing in their cities? Fiction/Mystery novels can open our eyes to many things—and just may encourage you to consider researching and developing your own mystery novel with this key component.

The second novel I’ve recently found is TURNINGS: Love In A Time of War by Chloe Canterbury.  The story revolves around a young woman named Sarah (of the Shaker community) and John (a Colonel in the Confederate army). It is 1862 in Kentucky where the Civil War is causing havoc.

There is so much history research available for this time period the writing of such a novel might feel too heavy. However, once an author understands the main characters, they will “write” their own story and Readers will increase their knowledge base—which makes it vitally important that:

• Places and events are fact-checked several times.
• Settings, equipment, clothing, etc. are correctly described.
• Military ranks/positions are accurate.

And, of course, writers must constantly make their own reality-check of how a woman—of the Shaker belief—will respond to her love of God and her growing affections for this Confederate soldier.

The world we live in is full of amazing and complicated personal relationships. It is through safe, fictionalized relationships that we can learn how to develop better relationships in our own lives. Both of the novels listed here have been developed to do just that.

I believe every writer has their own favorite novels that have inspired and encouraged them—especially as examples of excellent writing techniques. Mine include a sweeping time period novel titled: Mary Called Magdalene by Margaret George. It is my hope to someday become such a writer who carries Readers into the different worlds of historic times. The goal: Never quit! Keep writing! Publish! And you, too, will have amazing success!  ⚓︎

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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.

MARCH INTO SPRING

WITH A SPRING IN YOUR WRITING STEP Part I

Are you one of those writers who learns by doing—learns by experience? I am, too. Yet there is so much that I want to learn about and skills I want to develop that I’d need to live ten lifetimes in order to do and/or experience it all. READING has become my university, but not the textbook educational delivery system that we most often think of as the source for higher education. I learn best through story—either personal experiences shared with the passion they were lived, well-researched historical fiction, or inspired writings by people of deep faith who are telling their story through the beauty of  belief.  So it is that this month I’ll mention a few books written by authors who meet my criteria of educational reading—with an added comment (of course) about how these types of books can enhance the education of all writers no matter what genre we write.

Author William Guthrie calls himself “a student of the human condition.” He’s written several books in various genres. However, the book I’m highlighting today is a Biography/Memoir: A Woman of Valor, A Woman of Strength: The Latchmin Bridgelall Story. This story is heralded as a “touching story” written by the son of an “amazing family matriarch whose sacrifice, courage and wisdom shaped a generation of children.” AND…I will add…will continue shaping generations of children yet to be born.

This is the beauty of Memoir.  Guthrie understands this well and explains it saying: “…if something is not written down or recorded it is lost…. Then the family loses its history and its lore and all that has gone before is virtually lost to future generations. In a fundamental and almost visceral sense, it is what humanizes us on this planet and gives us a sense of identity among billions and billions of other earthlike creatures like ourselves.”

Guthrie also states that “whether we like it or not, we all stand on the shoulders of generations of relatives gone by.” This is also so true of the writers who have gone before us! Therefore, for those of us who have a passion for Memoir/Biography writing it is advised to read the work of the respected biographers such as: Leonie Frieda, author of Catherine de Medici: Renaissance Queen of France; John Taliaferro, author of All the Great Prizes: The Life of John Hay, from Lincoln to Roosevelt; and Humphrey Carpenter, author of J.R.R. Tolkien: A Biography.

Here are a few of my basic “tips” that will help you along the road:

• Photographs are great memory-refreshers
• Research into specific daily possessions used during various time periods is essential (cars, radios, telephones, etc.)
• Letters and journals offer insight, but DO NOT over-step the boundaries of their use.
• Find the voice of the main person the memoir is about and, if possible, the voices of those closest to them.

The main concept I’ve developed over the years about Memoir writing is this: Start from the heart. Don’t be afraid of the guts. Close with inspiration.

AND…don’t hesitate to self-publish! The “ordinary people” we write about have “extraordinary” information for us to share with the world showing us the way to survive the struggles of life with joy, love and laughter.  ⚓︎

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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.

FOUR DOZEN ROSES—FOR WRITERS—IV

Once upon a time—at a writers conference—one of the speakers opened with this question: “Why did the ancient cave dwellers draw on the walls? To tell their story, of course.” This was her introduction to the Memoir writing workshop.  However, what I took special note of that day was the story-fact that roses were part of Cleopatra’s scheme to capture the attention of Rome’s Mark Anthony—having thousands of rose petals scattered in her quarters before his arrival in Egypt. The rose we know today as “the Cleopatra Rose” is basically a wild bush with flowers that go to full blossom almost immediately after blooming. “Going wild” is not a useful quality for serious writers who not only want to write with excellence, but also have something of value to impart to their Readers.

Here is my fourth dozen of tips for you—as you build your writing career.

37. IF you “hit a wall” and just cannot move past a certain point in the story—GO BACK to the last one or two chapters and read them. Like restarting an engine from the top of a hill, this usually kicks the plot back in gear.
38. The very old cliché that “there is nothing new under the sun” is basically true when it comes to plot/storyline development. SO select one of your favorite authors in the genre you’re writing and outline the plot they used. No, this isn’t plagiarizing. It is learning from the best. You and only you are writing your Your characters are unique, as are the various settings, etc. However, being able to see a successful plot outline may be just what you need to complete your project.
39. As you approach the conclusion of your first draft take another look at the main theme and any thread themes you’ve created. There need to be enough clues (information) in the final third of the book for your reader to discover and understand the solutions.
40. Also, by the time the last third of the story is written, Readers should be pretty clear about who the main protagonist is so they can be participating in the adventure. UNLESS, of course, you’re developing a new Sherlock Holmes-type character who reveals all at the very end.
41. Even though you’ve written (and probably rewritten) the first sentence/paragraph of your novel multiple times, consider rewriting it one more time AFTER you’ve written THE END.
42. Consider placing your manuscript with a professional editor who will critique with grace. Ask other writers for recommendations. If you’ve decided to self-publish, ask to “interview” they editing/critique staff. FRESH eyes can hone a well done manuscript into a masterpiece.
43. When the manuscript comes back to you, FIX IT YOURSELF. You are the author. You know the people/characters. The critique will help you see what needs to be adjusted.
44. Remember: the words on those book pages will be creating your reputation as an author, and a person living on this planet. Be honest and ethical in your writing and storytelling.
45. Write from the heart. Write what you need to write.
46. CONTINUE to watch people—everywhere. Make note of the fine points of life as you observe them in daily living. These will feed your creative spirit and help you develop more stories.
47. Also make notes about your own personal life experiences. No event—happy, sad, accidental or planned—is wasted material of the writer.
48. DON’T GIVE UP! Don’t quit! Keep writing—no matter what may try to stop you.

Bottom line…these four dozen TIPS have been offered as experience-taught concepts to be consider—NOT as “rules” of writing—but as guidelines. May you and your creative works prosper! ⚓︎

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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.