Category: Royalene Speaks

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

Conversations: 1/1/2016

IT’S A NEW DAY! NEW MONTH! NEW YEAR!

 

What Now? That’s the question before me and maybe it’s the question you’re asking yourself as 2016 slips into existence. After several years (nine-plus to be a little more exact), I published my first major book in 2015 and ever since people have been asking me WHEN the next book is coming out. REALLY? My labor with that one book has exhausted me!  And yet—there are several scenarios that are brewing in my innards.  So WHAT NOW?  Well, because I have at least three (3) BIG IDEAS, I’ve decided to flesh out each one just enough so that I can reach a point-of-no-return on ONE of them and complete it before year’s end.  Here are the steps I’ve begun…

new ideas new year

1st Week in January…

Monday…Select your clearest book concept.

  • Write one sentence that defines the heart of this story—the theme—the BIG IDEA that will grab Readers. Rewrite this sentence as many times as needed to satisfy Then place it in the file folder for this book concept and relax.

Tuesday…

  • Write 3-5 sentences about the main character and the main supporting What is their ancestral heritage? Family makeup/dynamic? Faith background and current belief? Physical appearance—hair color, eye color, clothing style, etc. BE SPECIFIC and brief. If you have a specific film actor in mind to “play” these characters, google them and add their photo to that description. Then, again, place these in the file folder…and relax.

Wednesday…

  • Write one paragraph that describes THE main setting. Keep this paragraph short using very specific imagery. Use the thesaurus! PAINT the setting you want a film-maker to design with color, texture and tone. If there is more than one geographic locale, write this paragraph about the main locale. Then add one sentence about other locales. Google photos of these locations will be helpful. Add to page(s), place in the folder…and relax.

Thursday…

  • Create the conflict chart. I like to use the peaks-and-valleys graph although recently I’ve used the circle-within-a-circle illustration starting with the 1st conflict at the center of the circle, then adding “rings” for each new conflict point. If you’ve read newspaper reports about these types of conflict (home invasions, natural disasters, wars, murders, etc.) research examples and add the site address and/or photo of the encounter. Keep this day’s efforts focused ONLY on the elements of conflict. Then, again, place this information in your folder…and relax.

Friday…

  • The above diagram doubles as my PLOT graph—with the addition of one written paragraph that offers me ideas about how my main character (and supporters) will act/react to these conflict events—AND—suggests THE END—or at least how I think it will end.

 

2nd Week in January…REPEAT above elements for the 2nd Book Idea.

3rd Week in January…REPEAT above elements for the 3rd Book Idea.

4th Week in January…REPEAT above elements for the 4th Book Idea.

 

By February 1st excitement will be flowing in your veins! It may be difficult to select ONE project to complete—however—you must. Author Rick Warren is quoted saying, “When you understand that life is a test, you realize that nothing is insignificant in your life.” This is especially true for the characters we bring to life in THEIR life stories. Happy New Year, my writing friends. May the days and months before you lead to PUBLISHED SUCCESS!  ⚓︎

 

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, Self-Publishing, Uncategorized

Conversations: 12/25/2015

LET ALL THE WORLD KNOW (Part IV)

Last week’s blog felt a bit sappy to me. Sometimes being sappy can be a good thing. So I thought I’d continue in that vein this week and talk about the MIRACLES that happen when writing. After all, we are in the December Season of Miracles!

christmas tree

For most of us who call ourselves Writers and/or Authors the simple act of sitting down TO write is a miracle. There are days when the storyline or the main character(s) may blur in our imaginations—then another miracle happens and suddenly we are joyously experiencing the perfect words spilling onto the page with clarity and ease. Below is my Santa list of favorite books I’ve found under my Christmas tree over the years—and—if I were a billionaire I’d send these to every writer/author in the world.

 

  • A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. This timeless story continues to give me hope for the future of our world—that minds and hearts can be healed and nurtured toward good.
  • The Polar Express by Chris Van Allsburg. A dream miracle adventure that allows my imagination to soar.
  • The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis. Totally captivating with each character clearly developed and alive as they discover the depths of Faith and family connections.
  • The Little Match Girl by Hans Christian Anderson. Such a poignant story demonstrating that what appears to be tragic circumstances may become miraculous.
  • A Charlie Brown Christmas by Charles Schulz. With the new Peanuts movie out in theatres, the superb characters in all the Schulz stories will continue to lift our spirits and teach us many good life-lessons.
  • The Christmas Miracle of Jonathan Toomey by Susan Wojciechowski. A reclusive woodcarver is asked to make a Christmas crèche. What happens next blesses every Reader.
  • The Littlest Angel by Charles Tazewell. What does an angel give the new born Son of God as a birthday gift? The answer has been enriching imaginations for a long, long time.
  • The Crippled Lamb by Max Lucado. This story brings unexpected gifts to Readers as they discover that even the prayers of “little lambs” are answered.
  • The Legend of the Candy Cane by Lori Walburg. Strangers are rarely met with open arms these days. However, in this story, a young girl befriends the special stranger and learns of an amazing mystery that reveals the beauty of Christmas.
  • Silent Night: The Story of the World War I Christmas Truce by Stanley Weintraub. For more adult readers, this true tale is about warring soldiers (Germans and Allied Forces) who placed candlelit Christmas trees on trench parapets, sang carols, and shared food parcels from home.

 

Of course, I could add a few hundred more to this list of favorite books, but the Eve of Christmas is drawing nigh and I must rest my hands to begin a new chapter of my new novel in the NEW YEAR.

christmas tree2

May all the books you’ve published (and are ready to publish) find their way under many a Christmas Tree. And, as tiny Tim says, “A Merry Christmas to us all; God Bless us, every one!” ⚓︎

 

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.
from the archives, Holidays, Kelly Speaks, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

From the Archives: “Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 12/20/13”

Welcome back to our new Tuesday segment, where we’ll be revisiting some of our most popular posts from the last few years.  What’s stayed the same?  And what’s changed?  We’ll be updating you on the facts, and taking a new (and hopefully refreshing) angle on a few timeless classics of Self Publishing Advisor.

∗∗∗∗∗

[ Originally posted: December 20th, 2013 ]

‘Tis the SEASON to……BELIEVE.

You may recall from a previous blog—or two—that I’m working on a children’s book series.  So…fairly often, my thoughts tune-in to those stories “dancing like sugar plums” in my head.  This season of Christmas and Hanukkah cheer is no different, especially as I realize that my great-grandchildren are “aging” rapidly.  So it is that I’ve gone to the bookstore shelves and selected two of my favorite storybooks—written by other authors—to share with them on Christmas Eve.

The theme or technique I most enjoy in storybooks is when writers personify animals, allowing them to offer a perspective that children easily grasp and “grownups” might have lost the capacity to imagine.  This Friday-before-Christmas, I offer you one more story—a legend really—a bit of generational tradition-telling reminiscent of Native American oral-histories—written by yours truly for all my children—author/clients included.

THAT NIGHT a handsome Nubian Ibex—Samuel—stood on the high point of a knoll watching the shepherds and their flocks in the rock-strewn meadow below.  His masked friend, Barney Owl, was restless and had just circled his favorite perching-tree for a third time.  With a twist of his large antlers and a twitch of his tail, Samuel signaled to Barney, What bothers you, friend?  With a flutter of wings and a high pitched shriek, Barney gave the warning: A crackling is in the air—the heavens are about to open.  Samuel lifted his head and sniffed the cold air.  He shook his huge antlers and pawed at the ground sending the message: There’s no hint of rain.

At that very moment a brilliant light removed the darkness from the night and rainbow spears of sound filled the air!  Voices of thundering melody fell upon their ears waking every living creature.  An announcement was being made—in every language of creation.  “The Babe is born!  Your King has come!  He sleeps in Bethlehem; the earth is now His home.”

The shepherds fell to knees and hands; and sheep scattered the rocks and sand.  Barney Owl flew to Samuel’s back, marching to-and-fro; pushing him to GO!

The unseen singing voices raised to higher pitch, then softened to mellow notes as Samuel blinked.  And so they went—Samuel with friend Barney Owl—followed by squirrel, and mouse and racing deer—wooly sheep, goats and gazelle—and bevies of beautiful birds flying at all altitudes.  They seemed to be dancing to the crescendo of voices—voices that vaulted from meadow to mountain tops.

Then they were there—in the Presence of the King—a wee-tiny Babe wiggling to see.  It was brave Michael Mouse who first touched His Hand.  The whole of the gathering pulled in a deep breath.  Then Hoopie, the bird, let go a melodious coo-oo—that started everyone singing in words they never knew.  The language of humans came from their throats—as the Babe laughed and giggled with each new note.

This One Night when Light came to earth—brought a gift to animals of every kind—voices to use and words to speak—in Praise of their King—their Creator and Friend.  Their harmony soared with the Angels of Heaven—then softened to humming as the Babe’s eyes closed.

One tear was then seen in the eye of the Owl.  He knew this gift would fade at sunrise.  “Samuel,” Owl whispered in the Ibexes’ ear.  “Let us all stay here—and sing while we can—so this miracle will be passed forward in the memory of man.”

by Royalene Doyle

ibex

Christmas is just days away, and there’s no better time to bring back a classic Royalene post than three days out from the big event.  There’s something touching, something profoundly moving, in the words of that final paragraph–even for those of us indie authors who may not celebrate the holiday as a religious event.  What better way to close out a year than with a little meditation, a little reflection on the importance of joy and memory to all of our lives?

One of my own personal favorites when it comes to Christmas stories is the short story “Finding Christmas: An Australian Christmas Story,” written by Annie Bryant.  It’s sweet, as all Christmas tales are, but it manages to steer clear of saccharine in part because it revolves around a little boy named Joey and his experiences on a farm Down Under–and the details Bryant weaves in help keep the story grounded in his world.

The story begins:

Where do you find Christmas in your family? Is it hidden within the pages of your favourite story book? Maybe it’s wrapped up in a gift made especially for someone you love? Or perhaps, it can be found amongst the delicious smells of a Christmas feast? Well, this is the story of a little boy who went on his own search for Christmas….and you’ll never guess what he found!

I’ll leave it up to you to read the rest, since I don’t want to spoil either Bryant’s rich voice or the story’s ending.  Suffice it to say, you won’t regret taking a couple of minutes to peruse the full version.  Bryant, who self-publishes her stories first and foremost as songs, draws upon the imagery of her home country, which may not seem like the perfect conduit for a traditional Christmas in the Northern Hemisphere–except that, by stripping away our stereotypes of snow and cozy fires and church spires in winter, she manages to get at the real heart of what the holiday is about: discovery, human compassion, and connection with others.

I hope your Christmas season is as richly textured as those we read about in stories, and has an equally happy ending. ♠

barn owl

 

KellyABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the Executive Vice President of Outskirts Press. In addition to her contributions to the Outskirts Press blog at blog.outskirtspress.com, Kelly and a group of talented marketing experts offer book marketing services, support, and products to not only published Outskirts Press authors, but to all authors and professionals who are interested in marketing their books and/or careers. Learn more about Kelly on her blog, kellyschuknecht.com.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Self-Publishing, Uncategorized

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 12/18/2015

LET ALL THE WORLD KNOW (Part III)

For over thirty-five years I participated in a monthly creative writing workshop. We brought several pages of our current projects and read them aloud to the group—then received feedback. Their critique not only helped me develop better writing skills, it also gave me confidence in my current project and me—as a writer. However, possibly the greatest gift I received from this group was the memory of the stories written and the characters who came to life. Thus it is that I’m sharing with you today this thought:

Memorable Characters = Memorable Moments = Memorable Books

Giving to Us the Daily Reminder of Why We Write.

 alzheimers

 

Today, we live in a world where an estimated 5.3 million Americans of all ages have Alzheimer’s disease. Their memories are literally being stolen from them. However, in a New York Times article written by Milt Freudenheim (April 22, 2010), a wonderful fact is discussed: Books read by or to those with Alzheimer’s help them engage in life. There seems to be a comfort-connection made during times of holding a book, reading a book and/or listening to someone read aloud. Even those who have difficulty with verbal communication understand and respond to words on the written (printed) page.

 

As of this month, I have been part of sixteen (16) writing projects that set in print—for future generations—memorable moments in the lives of the authors. The topics range from Love Search where the author writes about her search for love in all the wrong places, to God Stories From the Ends of the Earth, real stories of faithful missionaries walking with new friends beside jungle rivers and into city slums, and The Midnight Call written about the author’s son who was trapped in a world of alcohol and drug addiction. So it is that I offer a few thoughts on Why we Write—Why we develop Memorable Characters who live Memorable Moments.

 

  • Great IDEA! Shaky writing/communication skills. The author of R.’s Memorable Meals wanted to share his favorite recipes while adding “bits and pieces” about his life experiences. This was a fun project because it included photos of his military service, career as a linotype operator for a major newspaper, tomatoes from his garden and more. His family will, indeed, enjoy his memories for generations.
  • Grieving with a Purpose. The author of Selma’s Life Journey: A Portrait of Love and Devotion…a Memoir began his book by sending me 13 hand-written pages of events in Selma’s life. We walked this journey together—page by page—completing a 155 page spiral-bound book that will sew her passion for life, Faith, love, and hope-for-the-future into many generations of their family and friends.
  • Sharing Nature’s Beauty. My neighbor is the author of From Delicate Lily Pads to Sculptured Peaks and Impressions of Nature in Black and White, both excellent books of landscape photography with accompanying verse. What JOY these books bring to all of us who appreciate the constantly changing vistas around us! There are never two moments in Nature alike, so each of these captured moments represents a timelessness for the peoples of the world to see and remember.

 

These are just a few of my client/authors, their stories, and the multi-layered gifts their books bring to the world. Even though I am writing a novel (or two) of my own, consulting and ghostwriting for authors such as these is Why I continue to Write. Each and every project sets me on a new “learning curve.” It is an enriching experience that I highly recommend. And should the ability to remember fade in the lives of those I love or in my own life, I pray that someone will read these books—and many of my favorite fiction books from my shelves—to me.  Are you writing one that I will add to my collection? Please publish it.  Soon! ⚓︎

 

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 With A Self-Publishing Writer: 12/11/2015

LET ALL THE WORLD KNOW (Part II)

 

There is a MESSAGE to be told! For my author/friend, Lorry Lutz, her latest historical fiction novel carries the message of Faith, perseverance and speaking out for those who cannot speak for themselves. (See last week’s blog) However, at this very moment, readers around the world are being inundated with “tell-it-like-it-is” books by authors who have an interest in becoming President of the United States. These nonfiction tomes are, for the largest part, ghostwritten by folks who work with the “authors” to develop their True Story in an attempt to connect with “we the people.”

read a lot

When I started writing these blogs, I promised myself that I would not be a “political blogger,” and I am NOT doing so today. However, as I’ve seen these nonfiction books HIT the bookstores and online shelves, I believe there is something of value for most all of us writers to learn from them—KEYS of Storytelling COMMUNICATION. If you don’t want to purchase any of candidate books you can check them out from the local library—then look through them for these well-developed writing techniques:

 

  1. Chapter Titles create the basic book outline. If you’re a fiction writer (like me) I have always balked at “creating” an outline for my novel. There is just something within me that goes against my grain of creativity in doing this task. It seems counter-productive, especially when characters and their actions demolish any outline I’ve developed. However, for the nonfiction writer, the outline is crucial.
  2. Character development. I once read that writing a biography is essentially writing a character analysis about that person’s personality and behavior traits. This is exactly what all writers do whether building a fictional character or developing the life-story about a real person (living or deceased). When you have that political personality’s memoir in your hands, make note of each of the character traits they highlight. Look for keywords such as: honest, good listener, tenacious, loyal, integrity, compassionate, optimistic, intimidating, high-strung, judgmental, bully, straight-shooter, faithful friend…etc.
  3. Supporting characters. Yes, in all these true story biographical books, you’ll find other people mentioned who are or have been in relationship with the main character. These supporting characters develop the “character analysis” of the hero of the story. They will demonstrate how that person interacts with others and allows readers the opportunity to form an opinion—albeit, from well-developed, guided Here are some of the things we can learn from these lifetime character interactions:
    1. Strongest childhood memories and favorite subjects in school.
    2. Favorite personal books and movies.
    3. Various occupations and maybe why they were selected.
    4. Spiritual/Faith beliefs and how they make a difference in actions taken.
    5. Family dynamics—with Mom, Dad, siblings, extended family and friends.
    6. Personal dreams and struggles/obstacles in life.
    7. Habits—good, bad and in-between.

 

My message for you today is this: Read! READ! And Read some more! Each and every time you read someone else’s published work you will learn something (consciously or subconsciously) that will enhance your own writing skills and abilities. Nonfiction biographies and political tell-it-like-it-is books, historical fictions, science fiction, poetry, memoirs, histories (of nations, social and cultural organizations, churches, arts, etc.) as well as magazines and newspapers, will increase your frame of references and resources. And as you’re reading, keep writing! Get your book(s) completed and 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.