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INSPIRED…BY ORDINARY PEOPLE

We can’t run away from it!  We’re all PEOPLE lumped into that collective definition of “persons in general…human beings as distinguished from animals or other beings.”  However, from my writer’s perspective, it is our job to narrow that classification to one specific main character and tell their story—whether it is in the form of essay, poetry, mystery, historical fiction or any other genre.  Writers are the telescope through which the world can see “people” as individuals.

Not long ago, I worked with a writer who needed to tell the story of her son.  She knew that giving his life-story to the reading world would save lives—even though her son had made the decision to end his life before discovering the potentials within all his tomorrows.  As you can imagine, this author’s personal pain kept her from progressing past the outline stages,  and so it was that we met—long distance—writer and ghostwriter working in tandem to tell this young man’s story.

With over 500 pages of material—letters, medical reports, court documents, etc.—my initial challenge was to find the person on those pages.  The world-view of “people” may be what is seen in data files or paper reports.  But the real person is much, much more than that.  If (or when) you write a story about a person who is alive today, has recently passed, or is a part of history, here are several ways to discover who they are…

DO YOUR RESEARCH:  Yes, “the facts” are important and must be known whether you use them all—or not.  Date of birth (and death); place of birth and all the places they lived; family members and associates; education; memberships in organizations; work history; etc.

DEVELOP A LIFE-LINE and/or timeline of the person’s life.  This will begin to give you a picture of that individual’s life experiences. His/her encounters with this world offer many useful insights as well as physical sets upon their stage.

1. Talk with as many family members, friends, acquaintances, co-workers, spiritual mentors, etc., as possible. Their view of the person you’re writing about will have similarities, of course, but it is the differences that you’ll want to specifically record and highlight.

Did you know that in the neuroscience fields of study there are now more than 640 concepts (words) describing our psychological personalities?  From the earliest days of human history—Plato and Aristotle—people have been speculating on the workings of the mind and how environments (other people, places and things) effect the way we live.  As a writer and developer of “characters” (both real and fictional) I suggest that you collect several pieces of cutting edge information on the brain and how it functions such as books by Dr. Caroline Leaf (Switch on Your Brain) and theories on psychological types such as The Myers-Briggs Personality Inventory.  Once an author knows the basics—differences between the analytical, strategic thinker and the charismatic, inspirational leader, etc.—multiple layers of personality nuisances can be added to your character(s) to bring living breathing individuals to the pages of your books.

Bottom line…whether you’re collaborating with a friend who needs help with their story or you’re writing the new Best-of-the-Best novel yourself, don’t ever stop writing.  GET IT WRITTEN and GET IT PUBLISHED!

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.

INSPIRED…

One of my favorite genres to work with (as editor or consultant or ghostwriter) is Religion/Faith.  The authors inspire me, personally, every time I help them prepare their manuscripts for publication.  Reading this genre is also high on my list—whether fiction or non-fiction.  So it is that, when reading one of my favorite faith magazines, I came across one sentence (yes, one sentence) that so inspired me I cannot stop thinking about it:  “Faith turns the tables on logic while turning life’s waves into a foundation.”

The author of that one-liner is Marcus Yoars, editor of Charisma magazine—oops, former editor.  (He has stepped away from this position to pursue a missions calling.) As only the third editor of Charisma in its 40 years, this young man has proved himself to be quite a leader in the writing field.  Comments from his last heartfelt editorial can—from my always-needing-inspiration perspective—give every writer helpful hints to follow.  Although his emphasis is spirit-faith-focused, his points (as I read between the lines) came to me like this:

1. Writing always involves risk. Authors often speak of that feeling of leaping-off-a-cliff when releasing their work to be published. This is a time when our faith in what we’ve written (and what we hope readers will discover in those pages) comes into play. We don’t have to write in the Religion genre to understand this—to carry the same all-or-nothing element within us that allows us to produce and send our projects into the world.
2. Faith in what we’ve written often defies logic. Many of the authors I’ve worked with open our introductory discussion saying, “Nobody else will probably be interested in this book, but I just had to write it.” For me, that is the best sign that whatever their book is about, it must get published. Ever hear the cliché statement: If I don’t do it, who will? First and foremost, authors must believe in their project—write it—produce it—then wait for everybody else to catch up.
3. Doubt destroys. However, faith in what you’re writing will pull you out of the darkest blank-page-hole and allow you to emerge with fresh insights and more clarity about your subject matter. Battles with doubt must be fought and overcome. Faith brings strength.
4. The choice is ours. All writers must face the cycle of faith vs doubt each time they begin a new piece writing. However, if we keep pumping our faith-muscles, that cycle will become easier and easier to complete—with satisfaction.

For the faith, spirit-led writers, there is one more element that strengthens their writing abilities—their obedience to use the God-given writing gifts they’ve been given.  This includes being obedient to write that which they are “assigned” to write, whether it is that letter to a grandparent or the completion of that textbook for chemical engineering…and everything in between.

There it is, my friend.  Whatever writing storm you face…let faith show you the way to success!

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.

WRITING WITH FRAGRANCE…

Last week I used an analogy of a writer compared to a rose, both enjoying thousands upon thousands of unique species and hybrids.  I’m smiling—remembering a particular writing conference workshop titled: What Species of Writer Are You?  Wish I still had the notes from that discussion, but I can still give you the basic points scented with my perspective, of course.

#1…Just as every flower, leaf, branch and tree is uniquely different, so are you; as an intelligent being, as a person and as a writer.  It is extremely important to accept just how unique we are and that what we are inspired to write about is enormously valuable.

#2…Because we are intelligent beings, we can get lost in the adventure of learning.  Yes, we must develop the skills and abilities associated with our gift of writing; however, if we allow ourselves to get lost in the research, the story (article, poem, etc.) may never be finished and published.

#3…We are blessed with five (some folks say six) marvelous senses: sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell (and insight).  All of these natural abilities must come into play when we’re writing.

#4…A writer’s species becomes identified in the genre of writing they are drawn to, starting with what genre they read the most.  This also includes what genre of film one appreciates and/or enjoys the most.

#5…Marriages occur between species creating—exceptional—hybrids.  When a writer develops personal relationships (with family, friends, marriage partners, co-workers), other genre fragrances come into the mix.  The history professor (of a writer) questions an established “fact” of history and multiple “what-if” scenarios blossom.

#7…Or…the beautifully landscaped botanic gardens are destroyed by flood; Nature’s fury uproots everything and the gardener (writer) must begin again!  Not to worry.  The re-write will be better than the first.

#8…The hardy species survive and grow stronger.  Thus it must be with writers—developing the “thick skin” necessary to ward off barbs while still being able to accept/absorb the constructive nutrients from useful critique.

When that workshop speaker laid out gardening tools all around the podium, I almost got up and left,  but I’m glad I didn’t.  She visually portrayed the elements needed to keep writers “growing.”  She confirmed that a stagnant writer—who cannot “think outside the box”—is dying and if they’re not careful, they’ll be uprooted. She also confirmed the value of “planting” our work—publishing it—the minute we know that it is ready for release.

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.