Every year the seasons seem to change faster and faster. And with each passing season, well, time often is our enemy. Of course, many of us want the time to go faster, particularly if it means getting past this time of a pandemic and back to a more normal, however we define it now, kind of life.
At my house, we are definitely spending more time indoors since we've put all of our outdoor furniture and planters away. We got to a few outdoor projects and although there are still more, we are back to working on indoor projects and cleaning up our basement some more. And for me, that also means back to more writing and reading. I've let my reading fall off a bit but I am doing more writing, which is my #1 priority anyway. As Neil Gaiman says, Finish Those Books!
As you can see in the article under "My Books", I've started writing yet another book, this one a memoir collection. I've been enjoying this project and hope to be finished in the coming weeks. Then the fun part starts, the editing.
Working on short stories works perfectly with this time of year since Jim and I have been spending some time driving around enjoying our beautiful fall foliage - and it has been amazing this year!
(This is a white-breasted nuthatch that I recently saved when he hit our sunroom window - the feeder has been moved to a safer location. I was thrilled to hold him in my hand until he recuperated although he didn't want to leave my finger - I had to place him on the tree branch).
Check out my new author website and let me know what you think! www.DJGeribo.com
Writings & Musings
Save the Cat!
Superhero
The next story genre is "Superhero" - being extraordinary in an ordinary world. In every culture, mythology, or era of human history you will find a story about a 'chosen one', someone who is superior to the others, who rises up, defeats evil, and maybe even saves the world. Most superhero stories are stories of triumph and sacrifice. These characters are destined for greatness but greatness isn't easy to achieve. They must face great challenges and obstacles to fulfill their destinies.
If you plan to write a superhero novel, you should have the following three essential ingredients:
A Power: bestowed on your hero, even if it's only a mission to be or do good.
A Nemesis: directly opposes your hero and possesses the same or more powerful force, except is a self-made version and lacks the faith to truly be 'the one'.
A Curse: the hero must overcome or succumb to as the price for who they are and makes your hero relatable to mere mortals.
To find out more about the story genres, read "Save the Cat! Writes a Novel" by Jessica Brody.
As we age, we have many more stories to tell. And what I find most interesting about this is that we recall a time in our lives when we were children or young adults. Maybe in twenty more years I'll write about this time in my life. It seems as though we need distance before we can look back with an objective eye and write our story that took place in our past.
I recently started writing stories about my parents and now, nearly 25 stories into it, I'm on a roll and figure this will most likely be my next book.
So what I have decided about this is that I need something to excite me. I guess that makes sense no matter what we do. If we have a 9-5 job it is going to feel like a drudgery if we drive to it and back day in and day out and the entire time we are there we are miserable. I've had those jobs and yes, they do become a drudgery. And the feeling of a weight being lifted when we leave those jobs tells you that this was not the job for you. And certainly not the way you want to spend your life. Especially since so many years of our lives are spent working, for most of us,
9-5 jobs.
My mom and dad - in the early 1950's
But I digress. I am so fortunate to now, at this time in my life, do what I love to do everyday and that is write (and for those of you who know me, I also love to paint and spend at least some time doing that, as well). I have had too many jobs in the past that I did not enjoy and driving to these jobs and spending 8 hours of my day there and then driving home was at least a drudgery. I'm sure there is a word that is more descriptive than that for the pain I felt while working there.
But again, I digress. Memoir. The best you can do is live your life. And at some point you will look back at an eventful time in your life, whether it was with sadness or with joy, that you realize will make a great story to share with others. And the best part is, you might be sharing with people who have had similar experiences and your story could give them comfort. I've often heard authors speak about a person coming up to them at a book signing and tell the author that they wrote their story. This person couldn't believe the author went through the same thing they went through. If you can reach one person with your story, this has to be the greatest compliment as a writer.
In the meantime, continue to live your life knowing that at some point you will have a story to share that may also help others. What a gift to you!
A book for young and old alike, Mouse Bound tells the story of J.J. Scurry and his many adventures when he suddenly finds himself outside and away from the only home he has ever known. Follow him as he outsmarts Mr. Slither and Tiger while making his way back to his comfy home. To purchase this book, go to ,BBD Publishing, or my author website, DJ Geribo.com
"And by the way, everything in life is writable about if you have the outgoing guts to do it, and the imagination to improvise. The worst enemy to creativity is self-doubt."
—Sylvia Plath
Story in 6
"Dim"
The sun forgot to come out to shine one day. All the trees began to droop. The flowers didn’t open; the birds didn’t sing. The deer and the antelope didn’t play. It was a sad day. Not a single person noticed.
Authistpreneur
author/artist/entrepreneur
Someone who is an author, an artist, and an entrepreneur. Any person who writes or has a published novel, who paints fine art/illustrations, and also has established businesses using the combination of artistic talents. - DJ Geribo
What I'm Reading
Fall is a favorite time to read - we aren't into the holidays yet and the days are cooling down so we are staying in more and curling up with a good book. Here are the ones I read these last two months.
Inventing the Truth
This is an interesting collection of authors who have written memoirs. If you are considering writing your own memoir, this would be a good place to start your research. I've been reading this book (Kindle) over many months, often while on my treadmill. The variety of authors who told a part of their story was impressive and provided me with enough interest that I want to read some of their work.
Of course, people like Frank McCourt brings such tragedy to life while Annie Dillard takes us to the woods and nature. But there are others I wasn't familiar with, like Ian Frazier and Russell Baker but having now read about their lives, I'm intrigued to read some of their writing. Memoir is for everyone - we all have stories to tell and our lives to share. Knowing how to tell our stories and keep your readers interested is the secret. You'll learn a secret or two through the story-telling wisdom of the authors in this collection.
Stardust
One of my favorite authors, I was thrilled when I saw Neil Gaiman was among the authors who had a workshop in Masterclass. My husband had signed me up for a year as an anniversary gift and I've been enjoying it immensely. I feel as though I'm having a private class with each of these authors.
Stardust is one of the kinds of books Neil Gaiman is famous for, a story for young and old alike that is full of fantasy and a good story, too. A young boy leaves his safe town to venture beyond the wall to find a fallen star. His plan is to give it to the girl of his dreams. But as we all know, dreams aren't always what we think they are and they often change. His travels are challenged by witches and others who try to steal the star. Along the way he grows and realizes that the girl he thought he loved and that he started his journey for is not his one true love. His true love was beside him along his journey to maturity.
Zen and the Art of Writing
It is always so surprising to me when I realize I have not read anything by a particular well-known author since I feel like I have read a lot of books at this point in my life. But alas, I have not read Ray Bradbury. Known for his science fiction it is kind of unusual to be reading a book about writing by one of the most popular science fiction authors of all time. He wrote nearly 40 books and 400 stories.
Of his books a couple of the most well-known are The Martian Chronicles and Fahrenheit 451. Did I read one of these? No, I chose a book about writing. And I'm not sorry that I did! It has been a wonderful read and as usual, I've learned even more about writing and about his influences during his prolific writing career. And then the next step? Order a book of his work. I happened to find a book of 100 of his most popular short stories. But this book on writing has provided me with more ideas even for my own writing by following some of the suggestions he made for his own writing. And the two most important words are: Gusto and Zest! You'll have to read this book to understand the importance behind these two words.
