Book authors, what encouraged you to do it? What did you learn from the process? What advice would you give to others considering the same?

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2017 00:16:03 -0400

Response by SSgt Gary Andrews made May 3 at 2017 12:48 AM

SSgt Gary Andrews — Wed, 03 May 2017 00:48:41 -0400

Always admired people that could paint pictures with their words. When I retired, and had time to pursue it, thought I'd give it a try. First two books were about what I knew best.....then let my imagination run wild for the next four. I just love telling the story. The satisfaction you get by seeing your work in print is remarkable. You have nothing to lose, and everything to gain by giving it a shot.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made May 3 at 2017 1:14 AM

CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern — Wed, 03 May 2017 01:14:01 -0400

I am encouraged by the experiences we all live and the stories we have to tell. I personally write poetry, I have written a memoir and a self-help book, but poetry is my forte. I also understand most of us who write are going to self-publish because it is near impossible to get accepted by a traditional house.

You can send your manuscripts to publisher after publisher and receive large numbers of rejection letters, a waste of time. Then there is your legacy...the real reason why you wrote. To leave your history, your stories for future generations so they may know you through your work.

If you want to publish, I can help you and I help you at no cost to you. I have helped over twenty writers become published authors. If interested, feel frre to contact me anytime.

Response by Capt Dwayne Conyers made May 3 at 2017 1:22 AM

Capt Dwayne Conyers — Wed, 03 May 2017 01:22:56 -0400

The Twilight Zone episode “Personal Demons” best explains why writers write, CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Personal_Demons_(The_Twilight_Zone)

Personal Demons (The Twilight Zone) - Wikipedia

Martin Balsam: Rockne O'BannonJoshua Shelley: Herman GoldClive Revill: AgentMarlena Giovi: WidowPenny Baker: PamStephen Flanigan: GaryTommy Madden: Creature #1Billy Curtis: CreatureGary Friedkin: CreatureKevin Thompson: CreatureDon Frishman: CreatureLou Carry: CreatureJerry Maren: Creature

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 3 at 2017 4:30 PM

SPC Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 03 May 2017 16:30:14 -0400

As for what encouraged me, honestly, it was pride. I recognize that I have a gift for communicating and spinning the story much better through written word than by speaking. I am not so hot in oration. And I thought; If I have such a useful gift, I should show it and share it to everybody.

What did I learn? There are a lot more steps and processes to writing a book and a story than there is to telling a short story or recounting an event.

Advice to new writers: DETAILS, DETAILS, DETAILS! Remember; it is all the small details that come together to create the big picture.

Response by SPC Anna Larson made May 4 at 2017 1:22 PM

SPC Anna Larson — Thu, 04 May 2017 13:22:49 -0400

My horse died. I needed an outlet for my pain and loss, so I wrote about his life and death. Then I kept on writing about other subjects. I've always had stories running through my head, but I'd never put them down on paper. Now I put them on paper.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 4 at 2017 4:05 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 04 May 2017 16:05:02 -0400

SGT Private RallyPoint Member, this is a great question.
As a new author, I had the blessing to spend time with the publisher at one of their book bound sessions for new authors. I co-authored two books with that publisher and co-authored another book with another publisher. That 3rd book wound up being an Amazon best selling book.

Now, with the first publisher in their book bound seminar, we learned how to "mind-map" out the overall idea/theme of the book, the main ideas of each chapter, supporting ideas for each key point within the chapter, and supporting stories illustrate or drive home the points. There are several other things there, but I will keep those private out of respect to the publisher. Key point here is mind-map each one of your books out on paper. You can reorganize it as needed.
I would add that each author learn the "ins-and-outs" of self publishing, even if they have to pay someone to get the Step 1, Step 2, Step 3.... It will be worth the funds on the front end to OWN and CONTROL the ISBNs and your Intellectual Property.

Pay it forward, help other new authors and share your learning endeavors. There are enough eyes to go around to read everyone's stories.

Bottom Line.... WRITE..!

Bonus: You are leaving a legacy to your family that can be read long after you are gone. Write and tell the stories that are within you!!

Response by SGT Joseph Gunderson made May 11 at 2017 2:31 AM

SGT Joseph Gunderson — Thu, 11 May 2017 02:31:05 -0400

Depends. I write poetry just to get out emotions and thoughts that would otherwise just weigh on me and eat at my brain. I write stories/books because I feel that it is my one true God given talent. I love writing and I love even more when someone else enjoys my writing. I keep doing it because I want to eventually share the stories I have in my head with the world and listen to what many people have to say about my writing.

Response by SPC Al Lohn made May 11 at 2017 3:05 PM

SPC Al Lohn — Thu, 11 May 2017 15:05:10 -0400

After retiring from fifty years in corporate life, I wrote our (Mine and my wife's) memoirs to accompany the family tree I had created for my children and grandchildren. I found out that I liked writing. But the Algerian writer and Nobel Laureate, Albert Camus, said it best. I write because I must.
Al Lohn