T.L. Gray's Blog, page 71

How to Write the Perfect Novel

How can anyone write the perfect novel when writersand readers are both imperfect, fallible human beings, having subjectiveopinions?  As Abraham Lincoln says, "You canfool (please) some of the people, some of the time, but you can't fool (please)all the people all the time."  However, Ithink there is somewhat of an answer – if an author gives their full passionand writes the real story hidden in their hearts, not the one they think willplease their peers, then they will have written the perfect novel – for them. 
I've read many novels over the years that I could tellinstantly were written in the 'market formula' and designed for a specifictarget, and hitting all the high points in order to make a financialinvestment.  The writing community callsthese 'commercialized' novels.  Whilethey have a plot, and hit the sensationalized points of a story, they too oftenmiss the 'heart' of the story, lacking depth of character or trueintimacy.  There's nothing wrong writingthis way, this is how many writers earn a paycheck, but I personally think itrobs not only the reader of a great story, but the writer of the pride of trulysharing the true gifts given to them. 
It doesn't take much intelligence or skill to writesensationalism.   Just about anythingthese days are open for discussion, no matter how objective, subjective,offensive, or taboo they may be.  Pushingthe boundaries is often what sells the best. The more rude, crude and plain out hateful, controversial and offensivesomeone can write - the more sales they make. But, what have such writers really done? They've prostituted their gift for a price.  They have their reward.  It's not only what is written on the pagethat makes the story, but it must be combined with the heart and purpose behindit.  If there is no heart or purpose, it'sjust meaningless words – vanity; a chasing after the wind. 
As you sit at your keyboard, notepad or typewritertoday and the story begins to flow, ask yourself how much of you are you putting into thisstory?  Is this story the best you can offer?  Are you making yourself vulnerable to yourgift?  Are you writing the story in your heart, or are youediting for commercial sake?  Does thisstory make you happy, or are youconcerned if it will make someone elsehappy?  If your novel isn't perfect foryou – it won't be perfect for anyone else. It's your name on it, not theirs. 
Tillnext time,~T.L.Gray

Little by Little

Some days or events aremore productive than other days or events, yet the last thing we need to do ismeasure our failure or success on the performance of any given day or event.  We'd be all over the scale if we did.  There are days and events whenreally BIG things happen, and then there are days and events when hardlyANYTHING happens.  But neither means theday or event has been successful or unsuccessful.  It's often in those hardly anything moments where I plant the seeds that are harvested in those really big moments.  Both areequally important, and our eyes being set on the bigger picture is also just asimportant.
I'm currently on a booktour.  It's not as elaborate of a tour asI'd like to have, where I travel all over the world and meet new readers acrossthe globe, jet-setting from one city to the next.  I'd LOVE to feel bad at being in such demandthat I CAN'T reach every city.  However, thecamp I'm currently in can only afford to branch out as far as $4/gallon of gaswill get me, which isn't very far at all. Importantly, I don't gauge the success of my author appearances based onthe number of books I've sold or how many people show up to the event.  Often times I've made the best contacts onappearances when there were only a few people, giving me more time to network andexpress ideas, which have led to other opportunities.  But, it is nice to have a large crowd andsell a lot of books.  These appearances arereally some of the few opportunities writers get to receive praise andappreciation, along with some compensation, for all their hard work. Most of their time is spent in isolation with their imaginations.  Social media is helping with easing a bit ofthat isolation on one hand, yet at the same time creating more on the other,but that's a different topic for another day.
I've learned that I can'twait on big moments to move.  I've foundthat if I take a step every day, if I move little by little, then I move closer andcloser toward my dream.  I can lookbehind me and see I've traveled quite far.  I can look ahead of me and see I'm closer to mygoal.  THAT is worth celebrating.  THAT is what I consider success.  I may not be moving faster than a speedingbullet, but I am moving in the right direction. 
So, celebrate yoursuccesses today, all of them – both big and small.  Don't worry about when the next big momentwill come, just enjoy it when it does. Don't fret over those small unseemly moments, because they're biggerthan you think. 
Till next time,~T.L. Gray

What Would Your Memoir Say?

Anytime wewrite anything, we have to first determine who our audience would be.  Knowing to whom you write, determines howand what we write.  I've read many memoirs over the past fewyears, and can see a difference quite easily of what audience the author wantedfor their memories.  There were a fewdifferent types of memoirs I discovered. More may exist, but these are the ones I noticed most.
1.    The General Audience – This is when the author focusesmainly on their accomplishments and the road of their life experience thatbrought them to that point of success. It's quite the 'brag' memoir. Mostcelebrities are found here.2.    The Professional Audience – This is when the author wants toimpress the elite of their field by way of showing their own discoveries,talents and achievements with their professional ability. In my case it wouldbe writing.3.    The Specific Audience – This is when the author focusesmainly on their peers (those with the same interests), and the road of lifeexperiences that brought them to that specific point of view, be it political,social or religious ideology.  4.    The Intimate Audience – This is when the author focusesmainly on those they are relation with, and hope to spread understanding andenlightenment to those intimate relations, revealing the purposes behind manyof their choices, and through the example of their life experiences, show howthey arrived to the point of view they carry.
I've beenasked to write a memoir for someone else, someone of prominent standing in theworld, and was excited about the project, which was being written for ageneral, professional and specific audience. However, I recently discovered what I truly desired was for this memoirto have been for an intimate audience. I didn't want to showcase this personand all of their success in the world.  Iwanted to tell a story that spoke of bravery, growing pains, making mistakesand learning from them, and ultimately humanizing this person – pulling themoff their public platform and showing them for the frail human they were; notfor them, or those in their professional community, but for their family,especially their grown children.
You mightask yourself why I would have wantedto do that for this person.  The simple answeris: Because I wanted the same for myself. I have two daughters and a son who are all young adults now.  They are making their way through this worldas best they know how.  Sometimes theymake good decisions and sometimes bad, just like everyone else.  They're old enough now that our relationshipneeds to change, moving from me being their over-bearing, protective Mama Bear,to becoming their Rock of Safety and Acceptance.  No matter how much we try to deny it, we all strivefor the acceptance of our parents, even if we hate and despise them.  The only way I can become beneficial forthem, is to change the way they see me. I will always be their mother, and they will always love me for that –even if they're angry with me.  However,if I'm to be of any value to them as an adult, they need to see me as anindividual, someone who's lived a life just as they're living now, someone whohas made mistakes and learned to get back up, someone who has had fears oftheir own and learned to face them.  Ineed them to see me as a person of my own, not just their mother.  I need to become human to them.  I was once a little girl with hopes andfears; a teenager with angst and dreams; a young woman trying to make her wayin this world the best I knew how, and then a mother, a woman of a professionalcareer, and now a woman chasing her dreams.  If my young adult children cansee that I'm just as fallible, scared, weak, strong, determined, and capable offailure as I strive for success, then that is a good thing.  Not that they can see they are either betteror worse than me, but that we both stand on common ground in this world – as equals.  I'm not their judge, jury and executioner intheir quest to become independent adults. I can let go of the reins I've had to use in raising them (pulling themup, pushing them on, pulling them back), but I'd want them to know they don'thave to walk alone.  THAT would be thememoir I'd write. 
What aboutyou? Who would you write your memoir for?  Whatwould your memoir say and why?
Till nexttime,~T.L. Gray

Cliché

I'msure you've all heard the cliché, "Thosewho can't … teach."  In the samespirit of that saying, I've also discovered two more, "Those who aren't doing anything themselves … like to direct everybodyelse," and "Those who choose to sitat the head of the table … often deserve the end."
Pleasedon't misunderstand.  Writers (or anyoneelse in their field) who take pride in their hard work and accomplishments, andwalk in confidence of their abilities, are quite different than those who patthemselves on the back for even their lack-luster efforts.  Bragging about your work and being excitedabout your undertakings, is something everyone should do.  How can someone expect others to get enthusiasticabout their work if they don't themselves? But puffing your own esteem, andrepresenting yourself in a false manner (higher and more qualified than youreally are), is out-right deception and arrogance. 
Letme give an example:  Mary Jane Doe has always dreamed of being afamous writer, and has written many stories over her long life, but being tooafraid to pursue her passion, and finding such a saturated market of published booksand stringent submission guidelines, she never bothered to submit them forreview or representation for publication. She never laid them out where they might be rejected or subjected to criticism.  Mary Jane spent the majority of her lifeplacing her writing last in her priorities, as a mere hobby (something to do inher spare time – with no expectations of success or failure). 
After manyyears of missing the 'big break' (if she never submitted, how did she expectthe opportunities to come to her?), she decided to self-publish and skip thewhole possibility of rejection or bad review all together.  Once her book was printed, she shared it witha few close friends and peers, all full of gushes and accolades. (While friendsand family are great for support, their reviews and edits are biased.)  

Suddenly, Mary Jane considered herself anexpert in the field of writing, and began instructing and critiquing others intheir own writing dreams, freely offering her opinion on their manuscripts (somethingshe was too afraid to face herself).   Yet, this whole time, Mary Jane thought it wasbeneath her to go out and promote, sell, or market her book to public readers.   Shesaw no reason to put her excellent work out where it might not receive its duepraise.  However, she herself was fullyconvinced it was the best work to hit the presses she'd ever read, so much so,she nominated it for every award she could find. She didn't see the differenceof being nominated and nominating herself.
WhileI admired Mary Jane and the belief in herself and abilities, I also pitiedher.  No matter how many books she's written or awardsshe's received, she cheated herself and will one day find herself humbled in herarrogance.  I pray every day I don't fallto the same arrogance of pride (it's so easy to do), because I'd rather begreat and sit at the end of the table, than be empty and sit at the head.  I don't want people to listen to me to praisemy success or greatness, but so they can be inspired to reach their own.
So,as you make your way through the wonderful world of writing and publishing,keep your eyes open – not on what your peers (other writers) are saying with their mouths – because theirmouths can and often lie – but keep watch on their actions and measure their results. Don't follow someone who is constantly talking, but isn't really doinganything.  Don't listen to self-praise,judge their work for yourself, and then trust your own opinion.  I hate when someone gives someone else powerover their opinions.  Own it!  It's good to follow those who lead byexample, because you can clearly see the results they receive, and thereby the resultsyou can hope for yourself.  But, if theone speaking doesn't have any results – why do you follow them?  I'll leave you with one more cliché, "Don't follow a blind man, or you'll both endup in a ditch." (Matt 15:14)Tillnext time,~T.L.Gray

Review of Milledgeville Misfit by Anitasbooks.com

Here is the latest 5-star review by blogger Anitasbooks.com! Check out this site to read this and other fantastic reviews.  Please feel free to share this review and blogger!  Spread the word!MISFIT written by T. L. GrayPosted on March 16, 2012 by needie in books [image error]
MILLEDGEVILLE MISFIT
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written by T. L. Gray

How would you feel if you were living in a big city like Atlanta and suddenly you were forced to go live in a rural town with a not-so-great reputation?  In T. L. Gray's story a car accident occurs which forces a young girl named Juniper, but better known to her close friends as Junebug, to move to Milledgeville, Georgia where her closest relatives, whom she has never met, reside.

While she is there she gets to know a group of children that the reader is left to choose and to determine for themselves their state of existence.  It is especially fun to read about our local area being written about in MILLEDGEVILLE MISFIT.  While you are reading you are left feeling as though Junebug is someone that you could be friends with from down the street or that lives next door.

The author's writing is very imaginative and creative. T. L. Gray even adds an educational tint to the book as she teaches the characters Biblical scripture, manners, and even gets down to the nitty-gritty of the English language to what a metaphor is. Of course as these things are explained to the book's characters the reader is reaping the benefit too.
The book is scary and you will find yourself sitting on the edge of your seat as well as looking over your shoulder and being sensitive to having a chill.   You will  quickly turn the pages to discover what adventure or trouble Junebug will get into next.  At one point Junebug is led to do some important research at the library and finds that newspapers sometimes can be very revealing and horrifying.

I believe that a young person who likes ghosts and haunted houses would find this book extremely enticing. This book certainly stretches the imagination of the reader and leaves them pondering Milledgeville's reputation as a "looney-bin." I suggest that young people will enjoy reading and seeing how Junebug's malady leaves the adults confused and out of the picture for the most part. And you have to read every single page if you want to find out if Junebug has a love interest or not.     This book is an exciting and fun read and rates 5 tiaras for the young adult reader.  Just remember to watch out if you're reading it when you are home alone or at night with a flashlight under the covers. Boo!

Inspiring the Isolated

Writersspend a majority of their time in isolation, most often locked away in theirown little world - spinning, weaving and working on perfecting their craft asthey translate the stories they've been given into written form.  While this new digital age has opened aportal into simulated interaction with the rest of the world at the touch ofbutton, it has also brought another level of separation.  No matter how much access we have to peopleonline, writers still need a balanced interaction of physical contact with thehuman race.  How else are we to observehuman relations in order to translate those reactions, behaviors andexpressions in our characters on the written page to our readers?  
It's onething to suppose something; it's quite a different thing to know.  When I'm reading a story, I can usually tellwhen the writer had in-depth and intimate knowledge of what they wrote, fromone who only supposed how things.  It'sokay to suppose, especially in a fantasy format, but it's best to know all youcan to give your work a feel of authenticity. 
There's ahuge difference when I'm talking and meeting people face to face at book-signings,club meetings, speaking engagements or just out in public, than when I meetsomeone new on the internet.  I can seebody language and real reactions, not just words written across thescreen.  Don't get me wrong – I'm excitedwhen I receive a fan letter, meet or connect with another author who shares thesame interests, or come in contact with people in the industry doing theirjobs.  But there's still a level ofdisconnect between us that doesn't compare meeting face to face. 
Keep doingwhat you're doing; keep plugging away and working hard on completing the goalsin front of you, but don't forget to set some time apart to mingle with yourpeers.  If you know a writer that's been outof sight for a while, reach out to them. It's so easy to become lost in that isolation. We need one another, andnot just to learn from, but also to support, encourage and inspire.  While we can do some of that with ourkeyboards, the best inspiration comes with a smile.
Till nexttime,~T.L. Gray

Puppet or Puppet Master?

Whodo you aim to please the most?  Who essentially has control of your mouth,your fingertips and your mind or emotions? Who truly pulls your strings? Doyou think you're in control?  While we may control the muscles thatmove our mouths and fingertips, there is an influence in our lives thatcontrols mostly what we say, do and write.  Still don't believe me?

Nottoo far in the distant past, I sat in a room full of writers and listened as aparticular writer read a portion of their work.  I saw the words that hadbeen read caused a plethora of responses, some positive and some negative; somewith admiration while others with disgust.  But what was even more clearlyobserved, was the presence of censorship and political correctness taking holdof mouths and clamping down on fingertips (the inability to write). The only truth that escaped was a brief flash of facial expressions thatrevealed what their mouths or fingers refused to acknowledge. This was supposedto be a time when writers presented their work before their peers to receive anhonest critique.  Yet, I've rarely ever seen that happen.  I'vemostly witnessed false accolades, puffing of pride and disdain with a smilespread with the same tenacity as politicians gearing for a campaign. While we seek the approval and praise from our fellow artists, there are onlyfew who can handle receiving true and honest critique, and even fewer to cangive the same. Many claim to have thick skins, but only few really do.

Alsonot too far in the distant past, I have sat in room full of Christians andlistened to one particular person speak about a particular scripture and theirinterpretation of the meaning.  Again Icould see the different responses by the other Believer's, some positive andsome negative; some with admiration while others with disgust.  Just as clearly as with the writers above,was the presence of censorship and religious political correctness taking holdof mouths.  Yet, their faces revealed thetrue opinions that refused to escape their lips.  The church is also a place many of us goes toseek the approval and praise of our fellow Believers, yet there are only a fewwho can handle receiving an honest truth, and even fewer who can give the same.  Offenses are easily made and given in thisatmosphere where it should not.

I'veoften struggled with trying to reason out for myself why anyone would easilyhand over their freedom of opinion or ability to question the status quo tosomeone or something else.  While theremay be many reasons for doing so, there really isn't any excuse.  You can lay blame at the feet of politeness, adesire to not offend, being a peacekeeper, not wanting to upset the apple cart,etc.  But, I still believe that the truthis always the best policy, even if it hurts. I refuse to believe a lie helps anyonefor any reason.   Perhapsbecause for so many years I forced to lie to hide the abuse that went on behindclosed doors, lying has left a bitter taste in my mouth.  Perhaps because the only real help I've everreceived in my life was from people who were brave enough, and cared enough aboutme, to tell me the truth, especially when it hurt. 

Ioften come across to many people as being brash and brazenly bold, without muchrestraint or sympathy.  People are mostoften offended because I speak my mind, whether in agreement ordisagreement.  I've been told I comeacross as cold, unfeeling and judgmental. It's not that I don't show emotion, I just don't allow my emotions torule my decisions.  Most often, as amatter of fact, I make my decisions contrary to my emotions, because I know myemotions are just that - emotional responses. Emotions lie.  Emotionsexaggerate. Emotions change. Emotions confuse the truth of matters.  But, don't mistake me – I have emotions. Myfeelings get hurt, my pride gets trampled and my heart breaks just likeeveryone else.  I'm compassionate; I justshow my compassion differently than most around me.  I don't hate people, but I do hate a lot of stupid(mostly selfish) decisions and messes that are made, especially when they madeout by emotions. 

Myultimate priority is to be true to myself and the plans I've made.  I have a great faith in my God, and throughHis love for me, I've learned to love myself. That was the hardest lesson I've ever had to learn.  In that love, I've also learned to respectmyself, trust myself and be true to myself and my dreams, and have cut the stringsof society that try to control and censor me. So, when I open my mouth to speak, it is to please the person I'vebecome, not to please those around me.  I'mnot afraid of someone else's opinion, critique, acceptance, rejection,understanding or support; only my own. At the end of all things, we all standalone.   Therefore, I'm free to speak –knowing it's the Truth that sets me free. 

Tillnext time,
~T.L.Gray
 

The Hope Thief

One of my biggest petpeeves, which if you've followed this blog long enough you've heard many ofthem, is people who like to take short-cuts. You know who I'm talking about - people who want all the rewards in lifewithout having to do any or much of the hard work required to get there; thequick-rich schemers, the short-cut takers, the hustler, the entitlists and thelazy.   But even that – in and of itself – is not whatreally quirks me, but when these same people try to lead others to walk downthe same path – promising quick prosperity and success, which they cannotguarantee.  When these followers fall,their hope falls with it, making the leaders - thieves of hope.
What did the old proverbsay?  "Whoever causes the upright to goastray in a dishonest way, He himself will fall into his own pit; but the innocentwill inherit the good." (Proverbs 28:10) You don't have to be a Biblical scholar to see this at work in theworld.  I see it every day in one form oranother, and it breaks my heart.  Notbecause of the innocents who get duped, but it's the perpetrators who hurtthemselves more than anyone else. 
Here's an example:  A writer, more specifically an impatient andundisciplined writer, with a fantastic story idea,  goes out and pays for someone else to edit orghostwrite their story, and then sits back and reaps the prestige andprosperity of someone elses' hard work.  Isee this done on a daily basis.  I don'tpity the editor or ghost writer, because they reap the benefits of their laborby receiving payment for services rendered, but I do pity the writer.  They only hurt themselves by not putting the time, energy and effortinto learning all they can about their craft, training themselves to be in aconstant state of sharpening their skills and obtaining the experience andknowledge to be better writers.  They robthemselves.  But the kicker, the thing Ifind abhorrent, is these same writers encouraging other new writers to followin the same path of destruction.  
Whenever I come across a novicewriter with a hunger and desire to be a great writer, I am glad to share whatlittle knowledge and skill I have already obtained, in hopes of increasingtheir knowledge and skill.  I will workwith them, sow into them and spend part of my valuable time to encourage andinspire them.  But I won't DO it forthem.  I won't rob them of the practiceand discipline they need to learn.  Thisgoes for every other area in life, as well. Perhaps we should spend less time carrying people around who refuse towalk, and spend more time helping those to stand who keep hoping they'll oneday learn to walk.  I believe all thingsare possible, and that no one who clings to hope is too far gone to receive amiracle.   I don't mind being a crutch for little while,but I refuse to be someone's bed.   
Don't get me wrong – I findit very painful to watch someone fall and then refuse to get back up, buryingall hope.  I have to push my emotionalcompassion to the side and remind myself that walking away is betterthan breaking my back trying to carry them.  Because trying to carry them in my ownstrength will kill us both.  What aboutyou?  Do you help others to helpthemselves or do you do everything for them? If so, aren't you tired? 
Till next time,~T.L. Gray

The Perfect Pitch

Now that your novel hasbeen written, edited, critiqued, and edited some more, what's next?  Where do you go from here?
This really depends onwhat you're goals are, and what you'd like to accomplish with your work.  If you only care that a handful of people readit,  and have a desire to keep  100% of creative, marketing and advertisingcontrol, then by all means pursue self-publishing or a print-on-demand.  This is all you'll really need.  However, if you'd like to get your books intoas many hands as possible, be represented by a legitimate agent and publisher,then you're going to need a query letter, a synopsis and one heck of a pitch. 
What is a pitch?  Pretty much, it's a 30-second sales techniquethat will catch and hold the eye of potential agents, publishers, reviewers andreaders.  It is your story, your novel oryour idea rolled up into a one, tiny, fantastic package.
Why would you need a pitch?  30-seconds maybe all the time you have to sell your idea. When you meet, email or mail your idea to agents, publishers, reviewersor readers, you have to remember they're bombarded everyday with other writers,just like you, wanting the same thing you are. It's your pitch that will make you stand out and catch an ear or aneye.  
What is the structure of a pitch?  Living in atemplate –ready world, we've somewhat become lazy with some of the things wedo, most often forgetting the purpose behind it.  I've read many a query letter that wasperfectly formatted, adhered to all the submission guidelines, but fell flat onbeing witty, authentic and free flowing when it came to the story they tried todescribe.  Sometimes being too technical,you lose part of your creativity.  Icould give you a step-by-step format for a pitch, but I'd rather just give youthe reason and purpose, and allow your creativity to paint YOUR own picture. 
What is the reason & purpose for a pitch?  To tell yourstory in as little, yet as colorful, ways that will make the Pitched want toknow more.   It's not the whole story - the hook, it's justthe bait.  It's what catches the ear, theeye and the curiosity that will lead to the hook.  I.e. – for the movie "Jaws", the pitch wasthe tag line – "Just when you thought itwas safe to go back into the water …" That little line said so much.  The rest of the pitch would follow withsomething like - "… a little coastal towndiscovers what it's like to be terrorized by a 70'ft man-eating shark.  A few brave souls face their worst fears asthey battle against a beast beyond reason. Will they be able to save their own? Or will a killer Great White forever forge a fear of what may be lurkingjust beneath the surface?"  Hopefullyyou get the idea.  It's not about summingup your whole story in a few quick lines – it's about finding the mostcompelling element and presenting it in a way that makes the Pitched want toknow more.  Then … you make sure you havea completed query, short and full synopsis, partial and full manuscript readyfor the asking.
Till next time,~T.L. Gray

10 Ways to Success ... Well, at least one.

Iwant a lot of out this life.  I'm not satisfied to just get by and survivethe day.  I want to rule the day.  While many times I feel out ofcontrol, the truth of the matter is - I control much more than I realize;and so do you.  Decide the measure of success you want to achieve, andthen settle for no less.

WhenI sit down and make a list of what I want out of my life, a clear path of whatI must do becomes apparent.  Because what I get out of my life is what Ipour into it.  That doesn't mean things don't sometimes come into my path,which are completely out of my control, and through the sheer force of theirblow tries to force me into a different direction.  On the contrary - Iexpect those obstacles at all times.  It's up to me whether or not I allowthose distractions to move me and discourage me enough that I'll leave mydreams behind.

Casein point:  Being a full-time writer requires sacrifice.  Not justfrom me, but really from everyone in my life.  The everyday pressures pushagainst me to move me in a different direction, but I must choose to remainsteadfast.  That's just the first part.  Knowing what I'm supposed todo is only the beginning.  The challenge comes then in everyday decisionsthat shape how I'm to do what I'm called to do.  This is the partthat is in my control.  What I pour out, what I sow into others, what Iplant, and what I sacrifice; THOSE are the things I willreceive. 

Iwant my work to be constructed with a spirit of excellence, sow ideas intohearts, inspire creativity into minds, and be an example that others canfollow.  I don't aim for fame and glory, but a platform ofinspiration.  I want to be a spark into the life of potentially greatwriters, and I want to do all this with joy.  Knowing what I want toaccomplish, I know what I need to do.  Every day I need to pour out what Iwant to receive; to help others, to inspire, to serve.  I cannot leadunless I first learn to serve. 

So, that's what I do.  I pour, shareand give what I have (the gifts and knowledge that have been given to me) with others.  Ispend time teaching others what I've already learned, as I sit and learn fromothers who have gone before me.  I try to inspire other writers to stir uptheir gifts, so that my own gifts are stirred.  I try to teach others thediscipline I know this profession requires, and I stay faithful and dutiful tothose requirements.  I pass along the knowledge I receive so that otherscan succeed, which opens the door to my own success.

Thisall sounds great in theory, but it's not theory for me.  Over these pastfew years, I've lived to experience every area.  While I could list 10steps to writing success - this is the method that works for me.  Otherwriters in my circle may not view or even understand my definition of success,but I'm not responsible for their understanding.  I can only state: Lookat the fruit of your labor and determine what kind you're producing.  Byyour fruit, you'll know what kind of tree you are. 

Tillnext time,
~T.L.Gray