Tag: conversations

Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 09/25/2015

OUR RIGHT TO WRITE AND PUBLISH IV

 Moving back to the concept of developing our writing wings, I must share with you one of my personal research projects. A favorite genre of mine is Historical Fiction. For years I’ve debated the concept that early pioneer journalists were today’s foundation of excellence and especially authenticity for authors of all writing genres. In most cases they had the bare minimum of publishing guidelines to follow yet gave the reading public the information needed and often a “rip-roaring” story of adventure and intrigue.

american progress
John Gast’s “American Progress”

To honor these pioneer journalists (many of whom turned book authors) I give you the example of Gene Amole who wrote a column for Colorado’s Rocky Mountain News from 1977 until his death in May, 2002. As I list several of his column themes and titles, let them inspire you to write something on one of these topics that jump out at you.  Actually, I hope there will be several.

  1. Bright lights—good memories
  2. It takes action to clarify writing
  3. There are only two kinds of music: good and bad
  4. Succumbing again to the allure of fine poetry.
  5. A message to carry…son of a friends brings a letter
  6. A leave of absence might be necessary to write a novel.
  7. The concept of home…
  8. Honesty in writing: Pain becomes an ugly companion
  9. Are our perspectives getting a little out of whack?
  10. When folks try to write for big magazines, they try too hard.
  11. Interviews should be richly enjoyed by both parties
  12. We will always have something to write about IF we keep our eyes and ears open.
  13. Nothing chases the blues away like kind words.
  14. Memories can be fickle companions.
  15. READ…reflect…make new memories.
  16. On war.
  17. On music.
  18. On the Unsolved Murder of a 10-year-old boy.
  19. To a Newborn Grandson
  20. On senseless Deaths Going Unpunished
  21. “Good writing is a bridge on which minds meet, a bridge that the writer must build.” (from Amole’s conversations with author William E Barrett.)

We all have such unique perspectives on life and all the millions of events that occur close to home and far away.  Amole wrote a final column that was to be published after his passing. In it he said: “I…hope that along the way I have said, written or spoken something of value to those who survive me. Certainly I make no claim of original thought, but perhaps I have taken an existing idea and added some value to it.”

Isn’t that the goal of every writer? This one man—writer, journalist—is also remembered as a loveable prankster and generous in mentoring young writers. Yes, he published books, too, (Morning, 1983; Amole Again, 1985; Amole One More Time, 1998; The Last Chapter: Gene Amole On Dying, 2002).

This blog is my salute to Gene Amole (and all the authentic and inspiring writers out there): an excellent example of respecting our right to write and 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.
Conversations with a Self-Publishing Writer, Royalene Speaks

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 09/18/2015

OUR RIGHT TO WRITE AND PUBLISH III

 

FOR Novel and Non-Fiction book authors, let’s talk shop. My first two blogs this month focused on writers who enjoy the article/essay, short story and magazine venues AND their right to write and publish. However, unless authors are “frequent flyers” in those publishing circles, the more accurate term for their process would be to submit for publication. Those publishers and editors have total power with it comes to selecting what their Readers will see.  However, writers of book-length manuscripts may (underline may) hold a slight advantage simply because they have the additional option of self-publishing.

protesters

To encourage “book writers” I’d like to begin by defining the power of A BOOK, as outlined many years ago by American author, astrophysicist, astronomer, science communicator, Carl Sagan.

  • A flat object made from a tree;
  • Having flexible parts on which are imprinted dark squiggles;
  • Yet with one glance the reader is inside the mind of another—someone who might have been dead for thousands of years.
  • Books break the shackles of time.
  • A book is proof that humans are capable of working magic.

Sagan adds that “Writing is perhaps the greatest of human inventions, binding together people who never knew each other, as they become citizens of distant epochs.”

Of course, the power of a book is really the power of the written word that lingers in the hearing of readers from the moment of publication until—well, hopefully, forever—which, considering technology advances may be possible. This brings us to our right to write and publish. The old cliché that “with rights come responsibilities” is especially true for authors. E. B. White, author of the little book The Elements of Style, offers his thoughts.

“A writer has the duty to be good, not lousy; true, not false; lively, not dull; accurate, not full of error. He should tend to lift people up, not lower them down…A custodian…charged with the safekeeping of all unexpected items of worldly or unworldly enchantment [so that] even a small one is not lost. Writers do not merely reflect and interpret life, they inform and shape life.

I love to write. When my thoughts (scenes, characters, plots) flow upon page I feel a rush of excitement and can hardly wait for someone to read it. However, when I paused to consider Mr. White’s statements, I took a big gulp. Then I realized that I’d always known about these responsibilities. They resided within me—and all the authors I know—without putting “words” to them. These are the writing goals that inspire writers to learn better writing skills and dig deep through layers of research to include accurate and descriptive details.

So it is that I close today’s blog with a few thoughts of my own:

  • Being reminded of my personal writing/authorship responsibilities is a good thing.
  • Incorporating these concepts into my writing life leads me to produce quality work that will attract more readers!
  • Considering these responsibilities will help me research my best publishing opportunities.
    • Is a particular manuscript meant to be published by a “traditional” publisher?
    • What responsibilities do they set for themselves and/or take away from me?
    • Is self-publishing best for me? For the book? For readers to have the opportunity to enjoy it sooner rather than later? ⚓︎
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

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 09/11/2015

OUR RIGHT TO WRITE AND PUBLISH II

Most writers I know have some file or drawer or box FULL of ideas about where they might publish. This is good! Collecting the physical samples of publishing possibilities can be extremely valuable. HOWEVER they must NOT gather dust!

protesters

Much of my personal collection is now on my computer—in a file that I can update with a couple clicks as I reconsider my categories and the lists within them. Most recently, I’ve been looking at each one—magazine, journal, newspaper—traditional publisher, self-publisher, hybrid publisher, etc.—with the following thoughts.

  1. Have I listed one or more editors or directors for each entry on my list? Do I have a current phone number for them? Have I met them personally at a conference or seminar?
  2. Do I understand the vision and/or motivation behind their publication or publishing house? Do I know anything about their personal motivation for working there?
  3. IF I were to have an opportunity to sit down and talk with this person about my current writing dreams or manuscript, do I know what they need to hear—so that they have the best opportunity to accept my work?
  4. Am I prepared to pick up the phone and talk with these people? Have I created a written outline of the points I want them to hear and understand?

After years of attending writers’ conferences, seminars and workshops, I FINALLY accepted the fact that Editors and Publishing Directors are people and writers. The majority of these folks started walking the same path I did—finding joy in putting pen to paper and communicating their ideas. However, when two roads crossed, they found their passion along the publications and/or publishing path. Since that time I’ve decided to respect each one for the journey they’ve taken and seriously look for common ground. Then, after I’ve thoroughly researched the needs of their magazine or journal—or the contracts or packages of their publishing house—I’m ready to talk. Yup—pick up the phone and do whatever it takes to talk with that person.

“Hello Joe. Thank you for taking a minute to talk with me today. I have just finished a short story that fits right into your magazine’s target readership. The title is…, …”

“Hello Ms. Andrews. Thank you for talking with me at the California Writer’s Conference. I’m calling today to talk about a new article idea for your Christmas 2016 issue.” (Yes, it is always the best plan to plan months ahead.)

The KEY is to talk with this person as if they are your best friend and totally pumped about the article, poetry, short story, or novel you’re ready to publish.

Today, I leave you with this thought, a quote from author Kurt Vonnegut. “We have to continually be jumping off cliffs and developing our wings on the way down.”  I can easily imagine this comparison because, like the eagle who pulls out every feather to allow new and stronger feathers to grow, writers must continually fly to new creative heights. We must never become petrified wood. ⚓︎

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

Conversations With A Self-Publishing Writer: 09/04/2015

OUR RIGHT TO WRITE AND PUBLISH

This play on words is technically called a homonym, defined as words that sound the same but are spelled differently and have different meanings. Those of us who have a deep need to write down our ideas, our histories, our hopes and fears, and create great imaginative worlds, might understand this need as more of a compulsion that must be satisfied.  Those of us who are placed in an environment—in a country—that does not attempt to subdue our writing passions are, indeed, greatly blessed. However, because we have the right to write, we also have the responsibility to do it well. Some might even say that we have the responsibility to release each piece into the world—to publish. So it is that this month’s series of blogs will focus on a few avenues of becoming the published author you are meant to be.

picketing

FOR the non-techie writer, who barely touches the Internet, consider these options to begin your publishing career. Start by spending some time in your local library. Research information about:

  1. ANTHOLOGIES. For those authors who enjoy short-story writing, the “themed” anthologies can be a dream-come-true. You may hear that this is an extremely tough market to break into, however, it is well worth the effort. My first published piece was accepted into a Science Fiction Anthology (sadly no longer in existence), and that encouragement gave me the nudge I needed to keep writing. These themed anthologies can be found on just about any topic you can imagine from motherhood to military missions, fishing tales to poetry. And another upside to Anthologies—differing from single issue magazines—is that an anthology doesn’t become dated after three or six months. They remain on library shelves for years becoming sought-after collections.
  2. Weekly, Monthly, Quarterly CONSUMER MAGAZINES. There are hundreds to choose from, so be very selective.  Narrow these periodicals by the genre of your choice—your interest. If you love to read the Smithsonian and American Gardening and the Reader’s Digest, start there. Request their submission guidelines and begin formulating your pieces to fit their needs. Because you’re already familiar with the writing styles of authors who are published there, you’ve developed the writer’s “ear” for “hearing” those articles. Thus, producing you own will be easier.
  3. LITERARY JOURNALS. Some say these journals are fading away. However, I’m of the opinion that excellent writing will support these journals for generations to come. SO I encourage you to research these and find your niche. The smaller literary journals offer an array of opportunities. However, wherever you find a journal that impresses you, that is the place to start. Get their submission guidelines and follow them exactly! While the initial pay may not be great, just wait for your short story to be reprinted in such venues as The Best American Mysteries, or The Best American Short Stories. That is resume/portfolio success!

Bottom line here is NOT to put all your eggs in one basket. Also, think outside the box.  Sorry for the cliché usage. However, one of the most inspiring stories I’ve heard is how a group of writers started their own journal/magazine. They may not have become rich (or maybe they have, but I don’t way or the other), yet they published their work and encouraged other writers in the process. ⚓︎

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.