I recently received a nice email from an aspiring writer who complimented me on my work and then asked a few questions. I thought I'd share my responses here in case there are others struggling to find their voice. Thanks for your message. I'm happy to hear my writing has inspired you in some way. I'll do my best to answer your questions briefly in this email and I'd be happy to go more in-depth with [...]
Before turning my attention to writing fiction, I spent a number of years writing for magazines and other nonfiction publications. One of my favorite that I continue to write for on occasions is the Chicken Soup for the Soul series. I consider these true stories to be visionary nonfiction in that they also have a similar intention to my visionary fiction - to entertain while also inspiring the reader and providing insights into life. So, I'm [...]
As you may recall, I celebrated my 70th birthday a couple of Tuesdays ago. It seemed to an appropriate time to reflect not only on where I've been but where I see myself going in the future. The day before my birthday, I completed the rough draft of my 19th fiction novel: Ghost Elephant: Book 3 of the Zak Bates Eco-Adventure Series. (By the way, there are still a few spots left if want to join [...]
As I begin part two on how the100+ Blog Post Game came about, I know that I am in the midst of a breakthrough, a breakthrough in my self-expression as a visionary author. The term, breakthrough, is both a common term in today's vernacular as well as being a Landmark Education distinction. In Landmark terms, a "breakthrough is often thought of as a one-time event—a quantum leap that moves us 'outside the box.'" From the Landmark [...]
...And I think you will too once you give it a try. Not sure what 'Immersion Reading' is? Simple. According to Audible, it's the ability to "read a Kindle eBook and listen to its professionally narrated Audible companion Audiobook – all at the same time. Not only that, but you get the benefit of real-time highlighting." Not only does it increase comprehension and overall retention of content, but it's also FUN! You can really get into [...]
This is an excerpt from my book, From Spark to Flame: Fanning Your Passion & Ideas into Money-making Magazine Articles that Make a Difference. (Just click the link to pick up your own copy.) If you follow the systematic approach we’ve outlined thus far, it’s just a matter of perseverance and time before you’ll receive a positive response to one of your queries. Of course, along the way, you’ll receive a significant number of rejection letters, [...]
I've recently created a new writing game that goes like this: To write 100 or more blog posts in a timely fashion while writing as well as I can as a way to express myself as a visionary author while also sharing my books novels and stories with the world. Let me be honest. This is my experiment in creating marketing and promotion as an expression of my true self. Each post will focus on visionary [...]
From Pantser to Hybrid Plotter Over the past twenty-five plus years as a writer of visionary fiction (stories that entertain and also inspire), I've moved from being a pantser (writing by the seat of my pants) to a hybrid plotter. Nowadays one of the most enjoyable parts of the writing process is planning what it is I want to write; ie, the plotting part. Then, once I feel confident I have a story worth telling and one [...]
Writing: Tool for Transformation Like most people I learned the rudiments of writing in my early grade school years, but it wasn't until about thirty years ago when I made the mental shift to "I am a writer" mode. During these last thirty years, I've traveled two closely related paths -- my path as a writer, and my path of personal development, spiritual evolution, and transformation. These two paths have been so inextricably woven [...]
Or will 2015 be more of the same old, same old? For many of us, at this time of the year, our thoughts turn to the new year. Maybe we'll create a New Year's resolution or two, maybe we'll make a promise to ourselves to finally write that book, go on that diet, take up tap dancing...whatever. But for how many of us, do we pledge to have the coming year be the most purposeful, passion-filled [...]
