Tag: conversations with a self-publishing writer

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

Conversations: 5/27/2016

HELPING HANDS, MINDS and HEARTS

Part IV

It is my hope that the information I’ve offered you this month about GHOSTWRITERS has been beneficial. This partnership/ghostwriting career brings two people together in a hearts, minds and hands pursuit to complete something wonderful that neither writer could do alone. In this last blog entry of the month, I’ll give you a few more examples of WHY you may really need to work of a Ghostwriter.

  • Are you an expert in your career field or educational experience? Do you have a “great idea” for a book with no time or professional writing ability to develop a readable book? You need the help of a Ghostwriter!
  • Are you a CEO of a business that is “doing okay” but you hope will “thrive” someday? Working with a Ghostwriter will allow you to TELL the story about how and why you birthed this business. People will read about the foundational reasons you’re “in business,” respect what you’ve built and come knocking at your business doors.
  • Are you a politician who dreams of working within “the system” to breath “new life” into it? Whether you choose to publish under your own name or with a pseudonym, the clarity of your message must be of highest priority. The Ghostwriter who shares your vision will help you.
  • Do you dream about what life was like for your grandparents—great-grandparents—great-great-grandparents…? Would you like to write a book about their lives, the countries they came from and the wars they survived? That takes a LOT of research, and most people have very little time to dedicate to that kind data search. The Ghostwriter who specializes in memoirs and/or history research is just the person to help you.
  • Are you a CPA who sees “the writing on the wall” in the financial lives of your clients without the ability to explain the steps they need to take to protect their future?
  • Are you a TV Journalist who sees the “real world” on a daily basis yet has only 30-60-90 seconds to express ALL you want to say to your viewers? Journalists are born writers, yet rarely do they have the time and/or reserved energy to write the books that are clamoring within them. Please! Don’t wait until you retire! Connect with a Ghostwriter (who may have also worked as a journalist) and get your book-s written!
  • Are you a Medical Professional who can offer expert information that will benefit potential patients (every person on earth) saving them unnecessary physical, mental or emotional stress? You probably have boxes full of research! Hire a Ghostwriter! Point them in the direction you believe is best and LET your book be written!

Several years ago, one of my very, very best friends passed from this earth. (Yes, I know, it’s not quality writing to use the word very, let alone use it twice. But the truth of it stands as is.) She was a writer I consider to be extraordinarily gifted. She could write with such great empathy whether developing a children’s novel, poetry, or creating magazine articles.

Much of my friend’s work was published in non-fiction genres. But she always returned to her prose writing. One fiction story in particular carried such intensity of emotion, woven with the power of colliding circumstances, that I have not forgotten it—in thirty-plus years. However, she never published that novel, and I have grieved its loss. This writer—my dear friend—wrote with such a unique perspective that inspired excellent life values without “preaching.” She considered working with a Ghostwriter to complete that novel—but didn’t.

SO IT IS I SAY to you, today, DO NOT WAIT! Find the Ghostwriter/partner who will work with you on your book until it is completed! Get referrals from publishers. If you want to work “hand and glove” with a Ghostwriter, talk with your local Liberians and/or local Writing groups. However, the best Ghostwriter for you and your project may not live in your community. Don’t hesitate to expand your search. The majority of my clients live in other states and we’ve never met (face-to-face) but have enjoyed great success in completing their work—and seeing it PUBLISHED! The right writing partner is waiting for your call! Today is the day to start your search! ⚓︎

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: 5/20/2016

EDITOR’S NOTE: This post was scheduled to post last Friday, but due to ongoing struggles with our website’s interface, it is going up today.  Our deepest apologies for the error––and look for today’s “From the Archives” post later in the day.
-5/24/2016

 

HELPING HANDS, MINDS and HEARTS

Part III

There is a quote about partnerships that is especially true about ghostwriters: two are better than one. When you start working with a writing-partner you’ll discover that one person’s idea spawns connecting thoughts in the other person and the collaboration produces a better book. Much like film-making where writer, screenwriter and director join forces, the author and ghostwriter bring their own unique histories into play in the making of one excellent book.

Here are three more criteria for finding that perfect partnership:

  1. Vision: When you (the author) have formulated your core statement about your book—what your book is about, and what it brings to the Reader—does the ghostwriter you’re interviewing share that vision? Both you and your teammate should see that picture and have that same goal.
  2. Adaptability: Some authors think they want a “helper” who will enhance their book by following the manuscript “exactly” as the author has written it. This is, of course, every author’s decision to make. However, they should not waste their money hiring an expert ghostwriter.
    1. IF you don’t want any input regarding the content/concepts of your book, employ the Editor who will correct grammar, punctuation, sentence structure; without creative input.
    2. However, the author who wants to explore enhancing their manuscript will be as adaptable and flexible as the ghostwriter they hire. Their manuscript may, indeed, end up being very close to the original—or—very different with improved plot, character, setting (research required) elements that bring out the author’s inspired ideas. This is especially true for authors in the Inspirational genre: both fiction and non-fiction.
  3. Passion: Both author and ghostwriter must share a passion for the subject matter of the manuscript. Every book on every bookshelf was written to “tell something important.” If the level of commitment is weak, so will be the finished product.

These three criteria also hold true after you’ve written the words: THE END. Then the search begins for the right publisher. Notice I’ve used the word right. From my personal perspective I see too many authors open that door of “hope-they-will-accept-it,” then send out multiple queries to the “big” traditional publishing houses—and wait—and wait—and wait. If you know that your book is ready to meet its Readers, then step up and employ the best self-publishing company you can find.

There are several quality self-publishers out there (and some not so great). However, this is where you’ll use the same criteria that I’ve outlined in these blogs. The self-publishing staff will become your book-making-crew—the cameraman (cover designer), format editor (interior designer), printer, marketing director.

  • Talk with them and ask for referrals from their published list. Search their bookstore for two or three books in your genre, then ask for referral/contact information for those authors.
  • LOOK at the books they’ve printed—either at the bookstore or on the Internet.  
  • Compare their publishing packages. This is a competitive business, so don’t be swayed by the first dollar-difference you see between companies—OR their current promotions.
  • LISTEN to the Author Representatives. It won’t take you long to discern whether they have a true passion for their work (helping authors like you)—or not.

YOUR PUBLISHING journey is a grand adventure from the day you write your first page until the many days you’ll be signing autographs! ⚓︎

 

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, ghostwriting, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 5/13/2016

HELPING HANDS, MINDS and HEARTS

Part II

Did I put the cart before the horse? A current client just suggested to me that defining the work of a ghostwriter would be a big help to other people seeking assistance. SO…here goes…

  • First…we are writers who enjoy working behind the scenes FOR our clients. We are quite comfortable to see the client’s name appear on the book and it is our client who receives all the credit (and copyright) to the material we produce for them.
  • Ghostwriters are expert writers who like to help lots of different people (medical doctors, safari guides, missionaries, political activists, chefs, other writers…etc.) complete their book projects.
  • We research, write, rewrite, collaborate, and brainstorm with clients until THE END.
  • We can take a very basic concept (even a one paragraph idea) and RUN with it—writing and developing the idea—while communicating with the client until a full draft manuscript is ready for the client’s review.
  • We can also take a multi-page “draft manuscript” that is incomplete—fill in the missing pieces—and present a “complete draft” to the client.

With seventeen (17) books now listed on my resume, I’ve received some interesting comments about the working relationship my clients and I have enjoyed. Perhaps this list will further define the “role” of a ghostwriter: research-digger; big picture visionary; candid critic; surprising wordsmith; personal coach; listening friend. What is important to remember is that NO TWO projects are ever the same. Each one is developed within the unique parameters set by the topic/concept and the client. IT IS THE Ghostwriters purpose to make the author LOOK GREAT in print and help make their dream of being an author come true!

JUST IN CASE you’re thinking that ghostwriting help is NOT for you, I’ll share a bit of trivia (which can be checked out on the Internet) about a few famous authors who have enjoyed the HELP of a friend.

Raymond Benson may be one of the best known ghostwriters known for his James Bond novels. He is also behind the scene of the Tom Clancy Splinter Cell series, using a pseudonym (David Michaels) for the 1st and 2nd books in that series, after which another ghostwriter has taken up the work.

Author V.C. Andrews was just beginning to build her GARDEN book series when she passed away from cancer. Her family sought out a ghostwriter to complete one book and selected Andrew Neiderman who took over in 1986 and continues writing under V.C. Andrews today.

Business guru Stephen Cover (author of The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People) worked with ghostwriter Ken Shelton.

True story author Chris Gardner (The Pursuit of Happyness which was the basis for the Will Smith movie of the same title) was written “with Quincy Troupe.”

BIG THINGS CAN—and do—happen when writers HELP each other! The heart behind the help also comes in the form of professional book publishers and their staff that includes Ghostwriters, Interior Designers, Cover Designers, and Marketing Specialists. I hope you’re encouraged—today—to seek, select and enjoy the benefits of TEAM-work to see your dreams of publishing come true! ⚓︎

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, poetry, Royalene Speaks, Uncategorized

Conversations: 4/29/2016

THE MUSIC OF WORDS part FIVE

Well, here we are—at the point where you’ve decided I will not talk about the REAL elements of poetry: forms, genre and techniques. I’m not a fan of suggesting that poets lock themselves into specific formulas. However, I do see the value of practicing these forms (within their accepted genres) to increase an individual’s personal writing voice and form. Here are brief definitions of some of the forms utilized today:

poetry

  • Ghazal: common in poetry from Arabic, Azerbaijani, Bengali, Persian, Turkish and Urdu cultures this form has from 5-15 rhyming couplets that share a refrain at the end of the second line. Each line is identical in meter.

 

  • Haiku: a very popular form of unrhymed verse containing three sections in a structured 5-7-5 pattern. This form originated in Japanese poetry and often contains a “cutting or seasoned word” at the end of the poem.
  • Ode: This form comes from ancient Greek culture, having three parts: a strophe, an antistrophe and an epode. The strophe and antistrophe often offer conflicting perspectives and the epode looks at both intending to offer a clearer perspective. Odes were often sung as creative minds attempted to influence peoples of their time.
  • Shi: the main type of classical Chinese poetry with variations of folk song, old style, and modern style each with rhyming elements. They are most often considered folk ballad poetry and delivered in song.
  • Sonnet: This is the most commonly known form of poetry in modern times. It is a “set-rhyme” containing exactly fourteen lines with a logical structure. The first four lines introduce the topic, the second four elaborates and the third puts forth a perceived problem (usually a couplet or two lines) giving a twist to the logic-lines. The very distinct rhyme pattern is: a-b-a-b-c-d-c-d-e-f-e-f-gg.
  • Tanka: widely used in today’s Japanese poetry, this form is unrhymed with five sections totaling 31 “units” structured in a 5-7-5-7-7 pattern with a shift in tone and subject between the first three lines and the last two.
  • Villanelle: This form of poetry could almost be called an American/English form because of its popularity with poets such as Dylan Thomas. It contains nineteen lines made up of five triplets with a closing quatrain. There are two refrains (attractive as a musical form), concluding with two refrains.

 

 

It is my hope that reading these short definitions will not discourage “the poet within” you. If you’re just entering the world of poetry, remember that these forms can be bent a little by the author to be useful in multiple genres that look for the unusual. These genres include: Elegy, Epic and Dramatic poetry; Light verse and Lyric verse; Narrative, Fable and Satirical poetry; Prose and Speculative poetry.

Each of these forms and genres will also contain the basic elements of writing skills such as: rhythm, meter, metrical patters, alliteration, rhyme and rhyming schemes—and—the visual form of lines and stanzas. It is up to the poet/author to intrigue reader/editors and leave them demanding MORE of your work. Let your light shine and poetry fans will snap up all your published works! ⚓︎

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: 4/22/2016

THE MUSIC OF WORDS part FOUR

 

Okay…you enjoy writing poetry. When the thoughts and words are flowing onto the page you’re having FUN! Then the ideas seem to dry up. No one finds these moments, days, or weeks enjoyable. SO what to do? Over the years I’ve heard multiple responses to this question and have shared many of them in previous blogs. However, I don’t believe I’ve talked about the concept of looking to your monthly calendar page. Now, I know that sounds weird, and I thought it was too when I first heard it. Here is explanation I received.

Whatever month you’re residing in at the time, open a web-search with the words: January (February, March, etc.) holidays and events. The topics you find there will definitely bring laughter into your voice and provide just the inspiration you need to bounce back into writing. Since this is the month of April, here are a few topics to consider—and research.

  • National Humor Month: WHO is (or has been) your favorite humorist? I have two—Red Skelton and Robin Williams. Their biographies and viewing YouTube clips of their work will definitely inspire.

 

  • International Guitar Month: Have you ever been to a café-poetry-reading session when the background sounds are beautiful guitar music? This is an environment where the music of words really explodes.
  • Keep America Beautiful Month: Most of us have yearly calendars that show us the beauty of our country. There are also amazing websites that offer photographs galore from photographers past and present that display unique “corners” of our beautiful America. Combining visual inspiration with guitar melodies will definitely set the stage for your next poem and/or series of poems.
  • April 27th is National Tell A Story Day: Although this tradition started in Scotland and the UK, folks in the U.S. quickly adopted it. Poetry-storytelling is quite popular around the world and it doesn’t matter if it’s a fiction you created, or folklore, or a true story. Libraries celebrate this day by inviting storytellers to come and tell their stories. This is a great way to get your poetry books before the listening public.
  • The last Friday in April is National Arbor Day: Celebrated since 1872, it began in the flatlands of Nebraska and is focused on helping our natural environment thrive. Millions of trees are planted on this day—by thousands of outdoor and family groups. Participating and observing these activities can certainly be inspiring. However, what a great environment to bring a cooler of drinks to share and then share some of your poetry (maybe about trees) with these hard working tree planters. Did you know that the Latin word for tree is arbor? There’s another bit of trivia to inspire you.

arbor day

The poets I know who have used this method to trigger writing ideas have really enjoyed it. I hope you will too. And remember—NEVER STOP WRITING. You have the heart and soul of someone who sees things differently than the average writer. What you give to the world is irreplaceable! So, once you’ve completed a collection of your work, PUBLISH! ⚓︎

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.