May's issue of Writer's T. & T. (Writers' Tips & Techniques) will feature pretend "on air interviews" on my non-existent Sheila Fabulous Radio Show, SFRS - 4444 -AM. Please don either your "Reader Hat" or your "Writer Hat" to begin. The information gleaned in this interview will be most helpful to my audience.
1. What's your #1 criteria that determines whether or not you'll read a blog, online article, digital or print book? 2. Do you ascribe to "less is more", i.e., prefer to read material wherein the author completes the project with brevity? 3. After you've selected your particular reading material, If you could tell the author one thing, what would it be? 4. Despite the work having been edited and commensurate with publishing statistics, the writing may contain grammatical or other types of errors. Would you be inclined to continue reading or stop? 5. Are you willing to give the author a second chance if his or her writing did not deliver what you'd hoped it would?
For the final portion of my interview, you simply need to answer "True or False."
A. Everything that needs to be written has been written, so there's no need for you to write anything. B. People are too busy to read nowadays. C. Retirees, desiring a larger font when reading, comprise a substantial percentage of consumers in the current markets. D. "Voice" only pertains to singers, not writers. E. A writer must develop a "thick skin." F. Readers are fickle; therefore, you can't depend upon them. G. Only stand-up comedians and sit-coms implement humor.
Just for grins, ask or email three people the previous questions. Perhaps their answers will provide some valuable insights for your writing projects.
Grandkiddos' Performing Arts
T. J. performing Faber's "The Escalator" & "I Hear the Echo."
Ali's selections included "Peter, Peter" & "Cry the Wolf."
Ali being interviewed by the 3-Judge Panel at the College of Idaho during her group presentation of "The Life of Sacajawea" celebrating National History Month.
'Tis the season for planting flower beds, gardens, lawns, orchards, and all sorts of things. Do writers need to plant? The laws of sowing and reaping or planting and harvesting are definite and divine.
I. There's a time to sow.
II. We reap what we sow.
III. We choose our harvest by what we sow.
IV. What we sow increases.
V. We reap in a different season than we sow.
VI. If we desire continued reaping, we must sow on!
Example #1 ~~ Years ago, I penned a humorous E-book titled Straight From the Horse's Trough for people who had a small space in which to raise their fruits and veggies. It continues to be one of my best sellers in different continents where people plant during different times of the year. It warms my heart to know that sowers are reaping from my instruction and humor.
Example #2 ~~ I published Stirrings of The Spirit in 2013. Five years later, I recently received the following book review from retired school teacher, Meredith Montgomery, "Just a little note to thank you for your book Stirrings of The Spirit. You are an awesome writer -- able to express ideas in such inspiring ways and yet adding a touch of humor in just the right way. Loved it! You're truly a blessing to all who are fortunate to read your book."
Implementing the sowing and reaping principles, I'm reaping from having sown in a prior season.
How can you apply these tried and true laws or principles to your current writing projects?
The winner of my April 30th, 2018 drawing for one of my books or my "Creative Writing Techniques Instruction Packet" ~~ BOBBIE MEYERS, Nampa, Idaho. A BIG thank you to all who participated.
This month's encouraging quote is from former NFL running back, Tony Dorsett, who played for Christi's Denver Broncos & Robin's Dallas Cowboys, "To succeed, you need to find something to hold on to, something to motivate you, something to inspire you."
Happy Reading & Writing,
Sheila Fabulous
P.S. C & E are the "True" answers in the pretend radio interview.
