Tag: self publish

CRITICAL THINKING-WRITING

Writing with critical thinking methods is often a challenge for me, especially when experiencing multiple emotional events.  However, clients call and projects must be completed.  Thankfully, I’ve developed a few steps that quickly get me back on track (usually).  My top three are:

DO whatever it takes to get to the office! Sitting myself down in front of the computer and resting my hands on the keyboard brings my focus to the table (as some folks say), and sets my thoughts in motion.  I like my office environment.  It has a big window overlooking a greenbelt with cottonwood and cloud vistas that always inspire me.  My desk surrounds me in a horseshoe shape—2/3^rds working area, 1/3^rd bookshelf/computer/printer stations.  A window-seat is covered with an eclectic collection of blankets to accommodate our two old-lady-cats.  It’s MY PLACE to write; my place to connect with the writing flow.  If you’re a multitasker, you probably have several projects going at once, so my next “get-organized” step will be an absolute for you.

Surround yourself with your immediate, must-get-done-now projects. I start at the corner of my desk to my left, laying out each file as they come into my hand, and continuing until they are all visible—OR—I’ve reached the telephone (which is the last available desktop space).  Now, catch your breath.  Didn’t know you had so many, did you?  Personally, I combine my client projects AND my personal projects in this grouping.  Each one is important to me and my clients, and the simple act of laying them out has already given me an inkling of the order in which they must be completed.  Yep—rearrange them in that order.  Some will be more immediate than others because of the DUE BY dates.  Others will filter to the top because of the client need or expectations.  And occasionally, a book project pulls itself up the timeline because of my personal interests—which leads me to the next step.

Allow your writer’s curiosity to move a project closer to the front of the line. Our world and the people in it offer infinite opportunities for discovery and infinite subjects to write about.  So whether you’re assisting someone in developing their book, or writing your own, open your heart and mind with the curiosity key that will open new doors.  Exploring “where others have not gone before” is exciting; an adventure that will not only enhance the writing of the current project, but will also cultivate seedlings for many new ones.

And, the last step (for today) is to KEEP your sense of perspective.  If one of your book projects looms TOO BIG before you, it probably needs to be cut down to size—literally.  It may actually be a two or three book series.  And, from a personal perspective, projects like that can cause us to become “unbalanced” in time-management.  If one client (one topic, one editor, one co-author, etc.) becomes TOO needy, the time needed to actually complete that project can evaporate.  SO…do the “scale from one to ten” measurement, with one being your opportunity to watch a sunrise and ten being the outbreak of thermonuclear war because you didn’t get the resolution response written.  WHERE do your projects fit along that scale?  I’m guessing that none will reach the ten-level.

Now, take another deep breath and relax. All your writings WILL be completed in due time!  The old saying that “to everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under heaven,” is true.  The season for your book to be written and published is right now and into tomorrow!

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.

PERSONAL THOUGHTS…

In my previous blog entry I spoke about the concept of allowing the writer within us to move beyond “empathy” (concerning other authors) and look for the insights we can discover from their lives.  Well, in the past several days, I’ve been plopped is circumstances that gave me yet another perspective with new opportunities to do just that—take those thought-walks in someone else’s work-boots and experience new insights. My husband was hospitalized for knee-replacement surgery—which went well. However, there were some unexpected complications.  (He’s doing much better today, is out of the hospital and in rehab for which we are so thankful!)  Today is my first day back at the computer for any length of time.  It feels good!

I’m one of those sit-beside-the-hospital-bed types of people and I actually have a “go bag” that contains sealed eating utensils, packages of Kleenex, pens, a notebook and (of course) reading materials.  As my husband and I visited last night, he mentioned that one of the hospital’s housekeeping staff asked him about the books we were reading.  Several of the nurses and CNA’s had also commented about our selection of books.  During those conversations we all learned a little more about each other—seeing each other for the uniquely individual people we are—AND CONNECTING with the BOOKS, their authors, and the concepts (insights) presented within them.

My husband and I are daily readers of a little book titled: JESUS CALLING.  Yep, it’s written by a Christian—Sarah Young—which I hope won’t discourage you from reading it.  Her example to writers of all genres is incalculable.  She and her husband live in Perth, Western Australia, often called the most isolated city in the world.  Sarah also experiences the physical challenges of ongoing battles with ill health.  However, she IS A WRITER, and an encourager, and the combination of those two elements keep her at the computer.  In one interview she said: “I am convinced that if I had been healthier I would not have been able to write this book.  It chronicles my journey from discouragement to hope.  There seems to be a sense of hopelessness creeping into many people’s mindsets as they look at problems in their lives and in world events.  But Hope is available—no matter what is happening around us.”

The other book I was reading—while sitting in that “comfortable” guest chair—is ONE NATION: What We Can All Do To Save America’s Future by Ben Carson.  One of our daughter’s gave us her copy knowing how concerned we are about our USA, and our efforts to keep informed.  I haven’t finished the book yet, but each chapter has offered me insight, perspective and encouragement.  If you don’t know this author’s “story,” you’re missing out, because he is not only an example of overcoming poverty, but of overcoming outburst-anger issues and low self-esteem.  So many authors throughout history have dealt with such issues and fallen prey to them.  Mr. Carson demonstrates the multi-ladder-steps to personal, community, career and national success.  I am now excited to read ALL his BOOKS.

And so it can be for you! Readers will be excited to bring your books into their homes and share them with everyone they know.  Of course, you must write them—and get them published!  There is no time like TODAY to do it!

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.