Category: Uncategorized

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

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 7/11/14

OPP—Other People’s Photography

In the early months of this year, I began working with a client who is a professional photographer in the art world.  His second book will be available in late August or early September—both are self-published.  He is considering re-publishing the first (through my favorite self-publishing group) in order to take advantage of the new marketing methods.  I am extremely excited for him; not only because his art-photography is exceptional, but also because he is doing the manuscript preparation work in order to promote excellence in photography within the next generations.  An amazing legacy, indeed!

As he and I are crafting his book—placement of photographs with his accompanying verses—he has reminded me of the beauty of our surroundings.  Even the simplest of things (such as a garden crocus or ripples at the water’s edge) can bring peace and inspiration to the viewer.  So it is that once again I am justified in storing the hundreds (well, maybe a thousand or more) photos I’ve collected over the years.  Some of these saved photographic treasures are in calendar form, giving me a vision of castle estates in Ireland; waterfalls from Argentina, New Zealand; the mountains of Colorado; and space views from the Hubble Telescope.

I’m just sayin’ do you have your own photo collection yet?  If not, why not?  I am one of those folks who is just not a world-traveler and yet I love seeing the world and learning as much about it as my brain can absorb.  Then, when I’m writing (creatively constructing) a scene—whether from someone’s real life or within a fictional setting—I can look through my photo collection and visualize the place.  I can imagine the sounds within that environment, the tastes in the air and the texture of grasses, trees, stone walls, pine fences, etc.

Here are a few ways I’ve learned to categorize my photos so that I can find them when needed; there is nothing worse than not being able to locate images when you need them.

  1. Family pictures (always top on my list)
  2. Parks and “playgrounds” (the concept of playgrounds can be most anything that reminds you of where you’ve had FUN, such as amusement parks, hiking trails, backyard BBQs, dances, theatre performances etc.)
  3. Trees: this is a “seasonal” collection for me; but for the tree expert this could also  be categorized by tree species.
  4. Clouds: weather patterns create amazing cloud formations that can “tell” all sorts of fanciful stories.
  5. Places: this category can be divided into multiple sub-categories such as—houses/castles, barns, landmarks, streets (famous and not-so-famous), state capitols, bridges…and lots of others that only you will notice.
  6. Sunrises/Sunsets: these two times of the day seem to inspire me and many authors.
  7. Space (as in Outer Space)…where more humans will travel.
  8. Critters: I have shared my life with several 4-legged friends. Their antics can stir up most any flat story scene.

Of course, there are as many photo collection categories as there are photographers and authors.  Each and every one will help us motivate the writing gifts within us.  WRITE ON, fellow authors.  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.
Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

How Writers Can Celebrate National Anti-boredom Month

July is National Anti-boredom Month, which encourages everyone to find ways to fight off boredom. Luckily, writers have a special weapon against boredom: creativity! Here are five creative activities to help you “celebrate” anti-boredom month.

1. Read.

Reading is a great activity to beat boredom. It can take you to places far, far away, introduce you to characters  you’ve never met, teach you lessons or skills, and allow you to see the world from a new perspective.

2. Play writing games.

If you search online or visit your local bookstore or library, you can find plenty of fun writing prompts. These simple activities can get your creative juices flowing and may just spark a great story idea.

3. Try a new art.

Many authors find they enjoy other forms of art, such as music, painting, and photography. Study the work of these artists, perhaps by visiting a museum or local art show. Also, try your hand at a new medium. Learning a new craft won’t only keep you from getting bored, but it could also inspire your writing.

4. Travel.

Traveling is a great way to beat boredom and inspire your creative work. Even if you can’t travel to a far away place, spend some time this month traveling to new and unique places close to you. You can easily find a list of local attractions online, or ask other locals their favorite places to go.

5. Write.

Writers are always complaining they don’t have time to write, yet ironically, you’ll also find these same writers saying they’re bored. Fill those moments of boredom with writing! Whether you’re waiting for your food to arrive on your lunch break or sitting on a train ride home, break out the notebook or laptop and start writing. Once you finish your manuscript, start working on the self-publishing process.

I’d love to know, how are you celebrating National Anti-boredom Month?

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the 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 at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 7/04/14

PERSONAL SNAPSHOT

I love the idea of utilizing personal photos to inspire writings.  I don’t mean the family portraits (although those are excellent memory-making-moments in themselves).  I mean the candid, spur-of-the-moment ones that catch folks off guard or the scenic ones that touch heart, mind and spirit and renew remembrances of events-of-the-time.  As you might imagine, reviewing photos such as these are excellent ways to develop memoirs.  Several of my friends/clients have built marvelous memoir manuscripts and published them in various formats.  However, they are also great “starters” for creating books of poetry, children’s picture books, cookbooks and pet stories.

When working with a recent true story, my starting point to understand the heart of this person’s life was seeing the photo of a cemetery headstone.  The inscription and design selected as forever statements about that person were crucial in helping the author tell her story.  She could have sent me the wording and a word-description of the design, but seeing it brought about a whole new level of understanding.

Years ago, I helped my Dad create a cookbook—JRs Memorable Meals.  He became the “family chef” when his work hours allowed him to arrive at home an hour or more before my mother (who also worked full-time).  The method we used to help him remember his cooking adventures—and the recipes he used—were mostly our family photos.  Even remembering the refrigerator helped him recall ingredients.  However, other cooking adventures were triggered by events surrounding his service in the Navy during WWII.  Putting that book together was a special time between us—one that I will remember with fondness—his “cookin’” sown into future generations.

personal snapshot

Psychologists and sociologists will quickly acknowledge the valuable connections made when looking through photo albums with the people they are supporting.  What a person notices and actually takes a picture of opens many doors.  Years later the view behind the moment of that photo is still there to be explored.  Often there is an emotional reaction from both the original photographer and the people seeing it at any given moment.  The story discovered there—interpreted and re-interpreted—can be truly amazing.

So…when I’m struggling with my own, personal writings I take a Photo-Break.  I look through my computer files of photos—scenic and family photos—and before long my mind is relaxed enough to write, write and write some more.  I recommend this to my clients, too.  Whether I’m ghostwriting a book for them, or helping them finish a book project they’re about to self-publish, taking a photo-journey is an excellent way to move forward.

 

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.
Kelly Speaks, Uncategorized

Celebrate Independence Day with Independent Publishing

Remember the days when the dream of becoming a published author seemed impossible? When publishing a book meant spending hours researching companies and editors and writing countless queries only to receive no response, or worse a rejection letter. Well, those days are gone.

Authors are no longer required to suffer the authoritative power of traditional publishing firms. They now have the freedom to independently publish their books without the approval of a profit-minded company. Here are three reasons you should celebrate Independence Day by self-publishing.

1. Freedom of speech.

Traditional publishers are looking for books that appeal to a widespread, commercial market. They rarely are willing to take the chance on a book that is unique or appeals to a niche market. This doesn’t mean your book isn’t worth publishing. It simply means your manuscript doesn’t match what that company wants to say to their readers. Self-publishing gives you the freedom to write your story as you see fit.

2. Creative freedom.

If your manuscript is accepted by a traditional publishing company, you lose control of the project once you sign your contract. The editor may require you to change a large portion of your book, and you will have little say in creative processes such as cover design and illustrations. With self-publishing, you have the freedom to control the entire process so your book looks and reads exactly how you imagined.

3. Freedom of choice.

With traditional publishing, authors get little say in details such as pricing and distribution. Self-publishing authors are not confined by this lack of power. They have the freedom to make choices throughout the entire publishing process. They are completely in control of the destiny of their book.

As you celebrate the 4th of July and reflect on all the freedoms you enjoy, I hope you take advantage of the opportunity to independently publish your book. Don’t let your publishing dreams go unrealized.

ABOUT KELLY SCHUKNECHT: Kelly Schuknecht is the 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 at http://kellyschuknecht.com.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Friday Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer 6/27/14

TYPE FASTER!

Last month I attended an awards banquet for authors.  I was so excited to see such a variety of unconventional writers being recognized.  These were folks who wrote with passion, flamboyance and flare that could only come from their pens.  They inspired me!  Then, a few days later, I recalled a quote from one of my favorite authors, Isaac Asimov.  Remember him?  He’s the American author (and professor of biochemistry) who “saw” the world and universe in such unique ways and reached millions of readers through his science fiction books.  To writers then and now, Asimov spoke clearly these words of encouragement:  “If my doctor told me I had only six minutes to live, I wouldn’t brood. I’d type a little faster.”

Asimov has given me another level of encouragement, too; one that has pushed me (personally) outside of the genre box that first enclosed me.  He wrote in multiple genres: science textbooks; popular science; essays; mystery; scientific science fiction and social science fiction.  And he also wrote literary criticism pieces.  So for those of us who have painted ourselves into a corner—think again.  The gift of writing we’ve been given has many functions!  We need not be “nailed” to one genre!

When trying to encourage a friend (writer) several months ago—sharing the concept of not being “pegged” as only one type of author—I found myself stopping mid-sentence and then changing the subject.  This particular friend was not hearing what was being said.  Her mind was SET.  She was a Romance Writer and that was all there was to it.  And (sad for me), she believed that the only avenue of publication for her work was with the main-street publishers—the Houghton Mifflins and Random Houses.  She had sent her manuscript and was waiting.

So it is, my friends, that as I write today’s blog, I am hoping you can see beyond the “blinders.”  Look to your writings and re-discover them!  What other genres do your topics suggest?  My friend’s romance novel could have easily been enhanced with historical references and possibly action/adventure/mystery.  Plus, her own experiences in the writing craft could be expanded into articles for writers’ magazines and ezines.  Plus…Plus…Plus!

AND, don’t miss the opportunities of partnering with a self-publisher and their professional teams of layout designers, editors, marketing experts, etc.  You will, of course, need to research the one’s labeled as “the best” or “fastest” or “least expensive.”  QUALITY of product is what you’re looking for and having the personal power to make your own decisions is a great PLUS with these companies.  Their self-publishing “business” is a “service” business that has become a true blessing in the lives of authors and readers, today.

So…type faster!  Let those ideas flow!  Get the books published and hold your dreams in your hands.

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.