Category: Uncategorized

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

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/30/15

SAINTS AND SCIENCE FICTION

Somewhere in my memory I hear someone telling me: Experience is an uncompromising teacher.  She first gives the test then slowly outlines the lesson(s) to be learned from them.  When I shared that thought with one of my writing friends, he immediately agreed.  “Of course!  That is the reason I’m writing my young adult books—so maybe our precious youth can avoid some of the very hard lessons I’ve had to learn.”  He then showed me his Motivation Diary.  Now, I’ve started one for myself.  But before I share a few bullet-points from that list, I’ll offer you the following brief paragraph about “the writer’s motivation.”

The word motivation is a noun.  It is that something that provides the reason behind the act or actions that accomplishes a specific purpose.  For the writer, it is the internal (and often uncontrollable, overwhelming) impulse that spurs us to create the next blog, magazine article, poem, novel or textbook.  It is the incentive or inducement that arouses and sustains the continuation of a writing career.

My author friend has created quite an extensive list of motivation statements.  Below are a few of his and a couple from other writers.  He often uses quotes from other authors OR anything he reads or hears that inspires his writing goals.

  • I write (and expose) errors I’ve made in decisions/choices SO THAT others can see the fault in them and AVOID them. (first entry)
  • I write to let others know there is HELP and HOPE.
  • I write to develop my own Faith in God—and show others that it is OK to have FAITH.
  • When I get discouraged, I re-read what Saint Francis of Assisi said: “Start by doing what’s necessary, then what’s possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible.”
  • I must remember that many very famous writers were “rejected” by editors hundreds of times before their work was accepted. I must keep writing!
  • Science Fiction author, C. J. Cherryh says: It is perfectly okay to write garbage—as long as you edit brilliantly. I will become a better self-editor every day!
  • I LOVE to watch Star Trek movies! Their author (an inspiration) is Ray Bradbury, who tells writers to FIRST find out what your hero wants, then just follow him! That is what I hope my young adult readers find in my books—a hero worth following.
  • Today I read quotes from two people I admire. General Omar Bradley (US Army WWII) said: Ours is a world of nuclear giants and ethical infants. Abraham Maslow (the famous 1960s psychologist) said: The ultimate disease of our time is value-less-ness. This state is more crucially dangerous than ever before in history. I must continue writing to give readers examples of ethical maturity and the certainty that every human being is of great value.

AS YOU’VE read through these entries, were you starting your own Motivation Diary?  I hope so!  My friend and I talked extensively about how his (and my) motivations changed over the years as our writing skills improved.  He feels that reminding himself of the specific reasons for developing his characters and various plots they must traverse KEEP HIM grounded.  They also keep him focused on getting his work published—now, through self-publishing—and not waiting for one person in the haystack of publishing houses to accept his manuscripts.  WRITE ON!

Royalene 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.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

2015 Writing Goals: Where Do You Stand?

If you are like many writer’s, publishing a book is probably on your 2015 to-do list. You’re probably feeling inspired, excited, maybe a little scared or overwhelmed, and you’re hoping your dream won’t become another failed resolution that gets pushed to the back burner after the thrill of the new year wears off.

Each week in January I offered tips and tricks to help you accomplish your goal of publishing a book this year. (Be sure to check out the previous weeks’ posts if you missed them.) Now that the end of January is here, I think it’s a good time to look back at the goals you set and evaluate where are you. Ask yourself these questions:

  • Have you accomplished the goals you set for January?
  • Has your vision for your writing project changed?
  • Do the goals you set still seem realistic?
  • Are you still motivated to accomplish your goal?
  • What obstacles have you faced so far?
  • What excuses have kept you from writing?

Be honest with yourself when answering these questions. Consider what you need to change in order to be successful throughout the year. It’s okay to change your goals to make them more achievable.

I encourage you to do this check at the end of every month throughout the year. Hold yourself accountable, and re-evaluate your goals. Make changes that will help you be successful. Remember, writing is a marathon, not a sprint.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/23/15

ONE PERCENT INSPIRATION

This headline is part of a Thomas Edison quote: “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration.”  I’ve met too many writers who accept that premise for themselves—replacing the word “genius” with the words “a writer” (or their own name), then believing they do not have the “inspiration” to finish their book.  This usually happens when they are in the midst of weaving together the final elements of an intricately woven and/or deeply researched plot and they are teetering on the edge of quitting.  Of course, there is work to be done in creating the writing projects that become noticed and successful.  So it is that I offer my perspective on the division between “inspiration” and “perspiration.”  I believe they are much more equal—45% to 55% on any given day—often re-balancing their positions within each hour that a writer is at the computer.

One of my favorite authors (who happens to be a highly respected American statesman and retired 4-star Army General) Colin Powell said: A dream doesn’t become reality through magic; it takes sweat, determination and hard work.”  His life experiences proved this point.  They also inspired him to say: “Perpetual optimism is a force multiplier.  Stay forward looking, focus on solutions…the spirit of possibility is contagious.”

SO MUST the writer be—a dreamer who taps in to the inspiration discovered in their dreams and visions; a hard worker who is not resentful of the work (research); a positive thinker who keeps-on-keepin’-on; and a solution seeker (plot and character developer).

It is my premise that people who are gifted with the desire to be writers are multitaskers who have access to left/right-brain thinking during most of their waking and sleeping hours.  They may not yet recognize that writing is their true vocation.  However, the mental and emotional motivation will come and must be acted upon or those individuals will be most unhappy as their lives progress.

One of my former advanced writing students has been developing her career in the area of social services.  She has received high accolades from professors and coworkers in her intern placements.  Her natural ability to be inspired by what she’s learning combined with her sincere work ethics—being unafraid of the hard work—is giving her a strong foundation for whatever path she chooses.  At the same time, she’s writing!  Yes, most of her writing is class-assignment-related.  However, her emails (sharing life’s adventures) are rich with metaphor and simile.  Her concise yet strikingly unique descriptions of people and places make me want to be there and meet those folks.  Oh, yes, the writer lives within her and will bring her much joy today and into her future!

So, today, I leave you with another Thomas Edison quote—one that I wholeheartedly agree with: “The three great essentials to achieve anything worthwhile are first, hard work; second, stick-to-itiveness; third, common sense.”  It is, indeed, common sense to build upon one’s strengths and—for the writer—that means taking that step forward to complete the first book and launch their writing career!

Royalene 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.
Jodee Speaks, Uncategorized

The One Sentence that Will Help You Become A Professional Author

If you are like many writer’s, publishing a book is probably on your 2015 to-do list. You’re probably feeling inspired, excited, maybe a little scared or overwhelmed, and you’re hoping your dream won’t become another failed resolution that gets pushed to the back burner after the thrill of the new year wears off.

Well, I’m here to help. Each week in January I will offer you tips and tricks to help you accomplish your goal of publishing a book this year, and I encourage you to continue reading my posts every week throughout the year for inspiration, advice, and news that will help you become a successful author. (Be sure to check out the previous week’s post about setting writing goals and writing tips.)

This week, I’d like to share one simple sentence that can help your dreams of publishing come true: I am a writer.

Unfortunately, many people don’t consider themselves “writers.” The reasons are countless:

  • They’re embarrassed.
  • They’ve never published any of their work.
  • They haven’t wrote anything recently.
  • They don’t write materials that most people ever read.
  • They’re afraid of how people will react.
  • And other silly and unjustified reasons.

Chances are, if you are here reading this blog post, you are a writer! It’s time you squashed your fears and excuses and start telling yourself and the world “I am a writer.” Hold yourself accountable for your dreams. Act like the writer you want to be, and you will become that person.

ABOUT JODEE THAYER: With over 25 years of experience in sales and management, Jodee Thayer works as the Director of Author Services for Outskirts Press. The Author Services Department is composed of knowledgeable customer service reps and publishing consultants; together, they all focus on educating authors on the self-publishing process in order to help them publish the book of their dreams. Whether you are a professional looking to take your career to the next level with platform-driven non-fiction or a novelist seeking fame, fortune, and/or personal fulfillment, Jodee Thayer can put you on the right path.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 01/16/15

LEFT BRAIN-RIGHT BRAIN READERS

SO—you’ve written the best novel ever put to paper!  From your perspective everyone on planet earth will (at some time in their life) read your book.  There remains, however, the realistic question of who will actually buy and/or read it.

Some time ago a writing friend suggested that all serious authors should take a course in Marketing.  My first response was a chuckle.  That is not my field of interest and hours spent in that study would take valuable time away from actually writing.  Then my friend asked me two questions.  How are you—as the author—going to attract readers’ attention?  And, if you use a PR or Marketing group, how will you know they are doing the right things for your unique book?

Well, I didn’t take an actual course in marketing, but I have done a fair-bit of research, some of which I’ve shared with you before.  And, because the concepts and venues change so rapidly, I do my best to update my marketing research file every year.  However, for the sake of today’s blog offering, I’ll focus on the headline concept stated above: the left-brain/right-brain readers…the rationally motivated reader and the emotionally motivated reader.

Possibly the biggest AH-HA discovery for me was this:  Developing a marketing strategy toward the emotionally motivated reader/buyer will bring the greatest level of success no matter who is doing the book shopping.  An emotional appeal will connect with both left and right-brain thinkers.

Example:  Do you remember the novel Q and A?  It was author Vikas Swarup’s first novel published in 2005.  In 2006, the novel won South Africa’s prestigious Boeke Prize and was nominated for the Best First Book by the Commonwealth Writers’ Prize group.  By 2007, this novel won the Prix Grand Public at the Paris Book Fair.  It has also been sold for translation rights for 42 languages.  THAT equals SUCCESS.

Yet—you might recognize this novel a little quicker by its film title: Slumdog Millionaire.  Ahhh!…the perfect left-brain/right-brain title appealing to the rational “seeker of monetary wealth” and the compassionate heart who desires to help all “underdogs.”  The movie was labeled a “sleeper hit,” being nominated for ten Academy Awards (2009)—winning eight.

This BOOK (yes, the author’s 1st novel) was hugely successful in book-form.  And yet receiving a TITLE CHANGE (as it was developed for film) made a huge difference in attracting everyone from producers, directors and actors, to movie-goers and DVD buyers.  Plus, a large population of movie watchers Google background information about the films they enjoy and then BUY the “story” in its original novel format.

SO—you’ve written the best novel ever put to paper! Who will understand your book—your characters and plot—better than you?  Are you able to communicate those nuances to potential readers?  What venues of communication will you use?  In step the marketing specialists of your self-publishing TEAM.  Their ideas are almost limitless and can help you develop a plan of action that will carry your book FAR and WIDE.

Royalene 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.