‘TIS THE SEASON TO SMELL THE CHESTNUTS ROASTING

Have you had the opportunity to quietly observe any of your favorite authors? Maybe you’ve met one or two at writer’s conferences, or genre-specific clubs, or the primer opening of a movie made from one of their novels. The majority of my favorite authors I’ve “met” through their biography or autobiography. However, I have had the pleasure of meeting a few at conferences where I’ve also been able to observe them from a respectful distance. Much to my personal delight, what I’ve noticed most often is their ability to tap into what I’ll call their child-likeness. By that I mean they have developed a wide-eyed, adventurous attitude that gives them a sweeping perspective of all the elements in the moment they’re experiencing whether it is an intense conversation with an agent or listening to jokes over coffee and muffins. Bottom line: authors are people, too; which makes their writing richer. And almost without exception, each published (successful) author I’ve met has given me HOPE, encouraging me to continue my own writing journey.

There are, however, two genres of writing that seem to produce authors who go above and beyond to encourage every writer they meet: The Biography/Autobiography/Memoir authors, and the Faith/Religious/Spiritual Growth authors. I find myself collecting more of their books all the time, because as I turn each page I’m encouraged and challenged to keep going and never give up on the gift of writing that tickles my thoughts every day.

One such book is The Backside of Hope by Connie Eldridge and Timothy Wimberly, which speaks volumes to me as I face daily decisions that will affect my path toward my achieving my “big dreams.” Eldridge and Wimberly wrote this true story about Wimberly’s life that had become devoid of hope—until his life became the story that moved him forward in forgiveness, restoration, and receiving the love of the Heavenly Father.

Another book on my shelf is, Revealing Divine Mysteries of the LORD of Mercy by Prophetess Mary Johnson-Gordon. This author’s writing style is dynamic and dramatic. Although I’ve read it several time, I still find myself randomly opening to a chapter and re-discovering the amazing Truth of God’s extreme love of each and every one of us—His very real, constant and unconditional Love!

The experiences of this author (who is a Native American of the Haliwa Saponi Tribe) also reveal how God has set up a support-system for us which includes the angelic hosts of heaven, the saints of heaven (like Mary, the mother of Jesus, Paul the apostle) and the Holy Spirit, Who is intimately available to us. “Life” has an amazing Supernatural element to those who are willing to accept it no matter what our vocation might be.

Authors of these two specific genre categories write with great passion and that desire for excellence is passed forward to us as we “catch their fire.” One young author who caught the fire of Hope and Faith is Lailah Gifty Akita (from Ghana) who is quoted saying, “Write your dreams in journal, notebook, card or on a cork. When you pen down your dreams, an inner strength and divine power is activated for you to work towards the fulfillment of your dreams.” Her book, The Wings of HOPE: Survivor is also a self-published book that will inspire generations.

SO, during the two days I’ve set aside for the me/writer this week, I’ll be reaching for an inspiring book written by authors who reveal the passion in WORDS. Of course, there is no way I’ll be able to read the whole book, however, catching just a glimpse of their “fire” will help be ignite my own. I hope you’ll do the same. ⚓︎

ABOUT 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. This is Royalene’s last month writing for Self Publishing Advisor.

‘TIS THE SEASON FOR R&R—AND A BIT OF CONSTRUCTION

If I actually believed in time-warp-science, the fact that the Christmas/Hanukkah Holiday season arrives so quickly each year would be a definite element of proof. And yet, I must accept the simple truth that I’ve already spent each day of the previous eleven months in 2017 and those hours did, indeed, flash past me at warp speed. It is now December 1st. Am I prepared for all the activities already written on my calendar? Maybe about half of them. However, as I look at that list, I’ve decided to do something a little different this year. I’ve blocked off two days each week this month for “me”—days that I will devote to doing nothing else but rekindle the writer’s passion within. I have big plans (and hopes) for completing at least one novel in 2018 and I don’t want to begin the New Year in a frazzled frame of mind and heart.

First on my December me/writing list is scaffold-building. What do I need (mentally, emotionally, physically and spiritually) to support the writing I’ll be doing in 2018?

• Have I discussed my writing plan with my family? Have I listened to their plans for the year—understanding what they’ll need from me? Do we have a plan in place to work out the unexpected family events (dramas) that will affect our family life?
• Do I need to retire my old computer (desktop or laptop) and get a new one? What time will be involved in learning the updated software? What about the old printer? Am I mentally ready to spend the time necessary to work with a support technician from the computer/printer company when “things” happen?
• Is my physical writing space too cluttered to allow me easy access to hardcopy research materials? Do I even know where I’ve stored the research? Are the windows clean so that I can see out and up into the sky—and imagine? If the lighting in the room is already perfect, do I have extra lightbulbs on hand to keep it that way?
• And, finally—because I’m a writer who prays over my work and the work I do for clients—I am constantly thanking God for His guidance and support of every manuscript I produce. A large prayer jar sits within reach. It contains bits of paper—prayers for HELP, appreciation for technical and research support, and thankfulness for His sweet Presence in the midst of challenging character developments.

Second on this list, is to refresh my skills by finding a quick-read, Back-To-The-Basics writing instruction book. I never want to get rusty or sloppy with what I write even though the process now seems imbedded in my fingertips. One method of doing this (in just a few days) is to select an elementary (or middle school) writing textbook and actually doing several of the lessons.

Author, Teresa Perry, published such a book in 2015: Writing That Works: Put All the Pieces Together. The opening line on the back cover states: “Guaranteed to improve your writing scores.” Yes, that is exactly what I hope to do! I’ll be reviewing the grammar and punctuation sections, and especially the sentence structure chapter. Quite often I find myself explaining to another author or client that a sentence they are particularly fond of isn’t structured to say what they want Readers to understand. Plus, the journal writing encouraged in this book will strengthen the “core standards” our future Readers will expect.

As I close today, I’m not sure many blog readers will even see this December blog until January or February. That’s okay. This IS the Season when family and friends “make time” for each other and writers are wise to take advantage of every such opportunity. However, the writing coach in me will make one more suggestion. “Take Notes.” A lot of wisdom is shared during these Holidays and one of the characters in your next novel may need to share it, too. THEN, step into January utilizing the suggestions given this month. ⚓︎

ABOUT 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. This is Royalene’s last month writing for Self Publishing Advisor.

‘TIS THE SEASON TO READ and IMAGINE

I love to listen to and read with our grandchildren and great-grandchildren! With just a few words on the pages of their favorite books (re-read multiple times), their imaginations take flight—and carry me along with them. So it is that my first book selection for writers to READ this week is the short story titled: A HOLIDAY FROM TIME by John Mero.

Imagine what it would be like in our everyday lives if “time” jumped around. Author John Mero has created delightful characters—Turtle, Frog and Professor Hare—who explore such a scenario. Turtle has been carrying the world’s clock on his back for a long time and he’s tired. He wants a vacation, so Frog offers to carry it for a while. What happens when Frog catches a cold and starts sneezing? OH WHAT ADVENTURES we might conjure, and this beautifully illustrated story will definitely unlock everyone’s imagination to do so—and just might break through any of our own writer’s block.

For those of us who prefer to dive into a more serious exploration of current events, I discovered the book titled, GOD and COUNTRY: United We Stand! Divided We Fall by Joseph Bylinski.

Bylinski has sought answers to many questions about what is happening in the USA today. His research into Politics and Biblical mysteries has given him valuable insights, taking him (and his readers) on a journey of discovery that explores the intersection of the two. “Our country was founded on the Bible,” Bylinski tells us. “Our laws are based on the Bible…[but] our country has wandered away from its founding ideals and strayed too far.”

Many of the best minds in the world would agree with this author, and many would disagree. However, as authors, it is useful for us to read a variety of opinions because our characters must have different (and often opposing) beliefs.

These two books may seem like polar opposites to consider as tools to enhance our imaginations and writing skills. However, as the concept of imagination is defined, it is the ability (that only humans possess) to form ideas, images, sensation IN our minds without any immediate input of our senses. Each of these authors (Mero and Bylinski) have used their imagining abilities to offer interesting solutions to the problems they’ve presented. Quoting from Wikipedia’s site, imagination is fundamental to integrate knowledge, experience and learning. It is “a basic training for imagination to [create] storytelling (narrative) in which the exactness of the chosen words is the fundamental factor to “evoke worlds.”

What if the peoples of the world were devoid of imagination. Would science progress—or even exist? Would music, or poetry, or art, or novels exist? Would teachers be able to connect with their students and find creative ways to teach them? Without imagination, there would be no need to build museums, or libraries or zoos; or investigate archeological digs; or walk through National, State and Local parks; or look out our windows…and wonder.

So, today my writer/author friends, I applaud YOU! I thank you for being uniquely inspired and imaginative as you develop your manuscripts! And I encourage to you READ at least one of the above books—making notes about how you might have written it differently, or what research might provide more information on the topics. This is how we become better—and better—writers. ⚓︎

ABOUT 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.