R.A. Douthitt's Blog
March 13, 2019
I Feel Sorry For You!
Why It's Important for Readers to Sympathize With Your Character
One of my former students developed a presentation about how people tend to excuse the flaws in their heroes, in life and in fiction. Why do you think we do this?
Could it be because we want our heroes to be better than we are?
Yet, in Greek and Roman mythology, the gods were definitely flawed, weren't they?
When I taught Writing, I emphasized the importance of creating a character readers can connect with, otherwise readers won't care what happens to him/her/it. I emphasized this because that's how it is in life. We tend to hang around with people who make us feel better about ourselves. This might be because they are extremely flawed and, just by being near them, we look pretty good! That's a sad truth.
Or we tend to hang around people who make us feel better about ourselves simply because they are encouraging and know how to build us up rather than tear us down. They have survived stressful circumstances or have overcome tremendous obstacles, therefore, just being near them inspires us to keep going.
These people might be flawed, but they know how to overcome their flaws instead of focusing on them.
Debbie Downer
I think it's safe to say we all know a Debbie Downer. This is the person in the group who is always negative and makes sure everyone knows it. They make the effort to explain how terrible every aspect of their lives are even when friends point out the positives. They insist on keeping the conversation negative. They aren't looking for solutions to their problems, just a chance to talk about their problems.
It's hard to be around someone like that and still feel good about the world, isn't it?
In writing, the challenge is to create a Protagonist the reader can cheer for. He might have flaws, but these flaws are endearing to the reader. Readers identify with the Protagonist's flaws and, therefore, root for them to succeed. As the writer, you put her in horribly stressful situations that might be beyond her control, but you have her overcome these situations and that's what causes readers to cheer her on.
In doing so, the reader is in fact rooting for themselves to succeed in life.
Using Power for Good
We writers have a lot of power, don't we? We can use our stories to encourage and uplift our readers. That, for me, is the best part about writing.
One student came to me and said, "Wow, Mrs. Douthitt. You really beat up Peter (the protagonist) in your The Dragon Forest trilogy!"
I smiled and replied, "Yes, but he keeps getting back up, doesn't he?"
As a child, my favorite books were about flawed characters dealing with enormous circumstances and fighting forever onward. I guess it's no wonder I write such stories.
I write to put forth stories about regular people overcoming tremendous odds so my readers can identify with them and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
For me, that's the reason I write flawed characters.
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
One of my former students developed a presentation about how people tend to excuse the flaws in their heroes, in life and in fiction. Why do you think we do this?
Could it be because we want our heroes to be better than we are?
Yet, in Greek and Roman mythology, the gods were definitely flawed, weren't they?
When I taught Writing, I emphasized the importance of creating a character readers can connect with, otherwise readers won't care what happens to him/her/it. I emphasized this because that's how it is in life. We tend to hang around with people who make us feel better about ourselves. This might be because they are extremely flawed and, just by being near them, we look pretty good! That's a sad truth.
Or we tend to hang around people who make us feel better about ourselves simply because they are encouraging and know how to build us up rather than tear us down. They have survived stressful circumstances or have overcome tremendous obstacles, therefore, just being near them inspires us to keep going.
These people might be flawed, but they know how to overcome their flaws instead of focusing on them.
Debbie Downer
I think it's safe to say we all know a Debbie Downer. This is the person in the group who is always negative and makes sure everyone knows it. They make the effort to explain how terrible every aspect of their lives are even when friends point out the positives. They insist on keeping the conversation negative. They aren't looking for solutions to their problems, just a chance to talk about their problems.
It's hard to be around someone like that and still feel good about the world, isn't it?
In writing, the challenge is to create a Protagonist the reader can cheer for. He might have flaws, but these flaws are endearing to the reader. Readers identify with the Protagonist's flaws and, therefore, root for them to succeed. As the writer, you put her in horribly stressful situations that might be beyond her control, but you have her overcome these situations and that's what causes readers to cheer her on.
In doing so, the reader is in fact rooting for themselves to succeed in life.
Using Power for Good
We writers have a lot of power, don't we? We can use our stories to encourage and uplift our readers. That, for me, is the best part about writing.
One student came to me and said, "Wow, Mrs. Douthitt. You really beat up Peter (the protagonist) in your The Dragon Forest trilogy!"
I smiled and replied, "Yes, but he keeps getting back up, doesn't he?"
As a child, my favorite books were about flawed characters dealing with enormous circumstances and fighting forever onward. I guess it's no wonder I write such stories.
I write to put forth stories about regular people overcoming tremendous odds so my readers can identify with them and see the light at the end of the tunnel.
For me, that's the reason I write flawed characters.
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
February 27, 2019
The Power of Storytelling
What is a Story?
Whew! It feels great to be blogging again here on Goodreads. It's been almost a year!
I have been busy...writing, painting, running. But now I want to share some knowledge with you all.
Let the Story Do the Work!
Let the Story Do the Work: The Art of Storytelling for Business Success
I recently read this fascinating book about the power of storytelling in the workplace and realized that, since I am a writer, I could use my storytelling skills at work.
I highly recommend this book. It does a great job of showing how to tell the appropriate story to start a business meeting or presentation.
The Story
I recently provided some instruction for a friend who was about to give her very first corporate presentation. She asked me for tips since I had taught presentation at the college level. "Open with a story..." was the first tip I gave her.
After her presentation, she asked for feedback on her presentation (which had been recorded). I gladly gave her a list of things she did well and some things she needed to work on: #1-She didn't open with a story.
And then, it dawned on me that maybe she doesn't know what a story is. I know what a story is because I write them and I tell them. I have also taught how to write and tell stories, so it comes easy to me. But I did what I always tell teachers not to do: I assumed a person understood something, when she did not.
So, what exactly is meant by "telling a story"?
A story is a narrative that takes people on a journey of the mind through a personal (or fictional) experience. So, to tell a story is to take a person on a journey through an experience both real or imagined. In business, it should be a real and personal experience.
What makes a story good?
Now that you know what telling a story is, think of some good and bad stories you've heard. What makes a story good?
Plot- A story must have forward motion. The listener must see that they are about to go somewhere; to do this successfully requires planned structure and an agenda must be apparent. Every part presented must have relevance. Every person or item mentioned must serve a purpose in moving the story forward.
Characters- Yes, even in storytelling at a corporate level, well-rounded and interesting characters play an important role. Characters with flaws, weaknesses, redeeming qualities are a must (even if you're talking about your pets!). Perfect heroes or villains aren't interesting or relatable.
A Familiar Setting- When presenting to co-workers or an unfamiliar group, it's a must to use a setting that is familiar to them. Make sure the setting connects to the audience in some way. If you're speaking to an I.T. group at you work and the setting of your story is a trip to the park for a birthday party, you'd better make some connection to I.T. or you've lost your audience.
Satisfaction- Lastly, your story must have a satisfying ending that transitions seamlessly to the point of your presentation. For instance, if you're presenting to an audience of accountants and you are about to give them results of data analysis for the year, perhaps a funny story about the first time you took and failed the CPA test might make them chuckle and relate to you on a personal level. Connecting that experience to your topic will help the audience feel satisfied. Simply telling a story about a trip to the dentist might make them laugh, but if it's not connected to the topic of your meeting/presentation, you might turn off your audience. That's never a good thing.
Storytelling and Business
What makes storytelling in business important is making that personal connection. I once had a boss who was very serious. She demanded respect as opposed to earning it from her employees. When she led meetings, she started immediately with stating her agenda. I remember only a few meetings that started with a personal story that involved her family. I liked those meetings because the stories had made her seem human and not so robotic. I liked those meetings best because she appeared to be more approachable and relatable.
Another reason to tell a story at the start of a meeting is to build trust. When sharing a personal experience, you gain the trust of your audience. You can present yourself as an overcomer, someone who volunteered for a challenge and maybe failed, but learned a powerful life lesson. Someone in the audience needs to hear your story of overcoming obstacles against all odds. These types of stories inspire and motivate.
One last reason storytelling in business works is because it helps the audience stay focused and retain more information. If they can relate to the message, research suggests the information presented is retained more effectively. On average, an audience pays attention for 3-5 seconds and then moves on to their phone, daydreaming, or doodling on a piece of paper. Make your story personal, fascinating, and relevant, and your audience will pay attention.
Think of how Steve Jobs would stand before his employees and introduce a new product or provide motivation to be creative. Does your boss have the power of storytelling? What about you?
Now is the time! Storytelling in business isn't new, but it is making a comeback. More and more corporations are working hard to develop their own stories. Read their website pages! They want you to know their history:
American Express
Grand Canyon University
Apple
Microsoft
Google
Amazon
Boeing
Coca-cola
John Deere
These are just some corporations with fascinating stories. Read them and learn more about sharing a personal narrative at the corporate level. What about where you work? Do you know your company's history?
Let the Story Do the Work
So, the next time you lead a meeting or presentation at work, dare to share a story. Make sure it is a personal narrative (not someone else's story...), make sure it has a plot (beginning, middle, and satisfying end), a familiar setting, and a satisfying transition to your topic.
It's not easy, but with practice, you can achieve success in storytelling! YOU can have an impact at work in more ways than one.
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
Whew! It feels great to be blogging again here on Goodreads. It's been almost a year!
I have been busy...writing, painting, running. But now I want to share some knowledge with you all.
Let the Story Do the Work!
Let the Story Do the Work: The Art of Storytelling for Business Success
I recently read this fascinating book about the power of storytelling in the workplace and realized that, since I am a writer, I could use my storytelling skills at work.
I highly recommend this book. It does a great job of showing how to tell the appropriate story to start a business meeting or presentation.
The Story
I recently provided some instruction for a friend who was about to give her very first corporate presentation. She asked me for tips since I had taught presentation at the college level. "Open with a story..." was the first tip I gave her.
After her presentation, she asked for feedback on her presentation (which had been recorded). I gladly gave her a list of things she did well and some things she needed to work on: #1-She didn't open with a story.
And then, it dawned on me that maybe she doesn't know what a story is. I know what a story is because I write them and I tell them. I have also taught how to write and tell stories, so it comes easy to me. But I did what I always tell teachers not to do: I assumed a person understood something, when she did not.
So, what exactly is meant by "telling a story"?
A story is a narrative that takes people on a journey of the mind through a personal (or fictional) experience. So, to tell a story is to take a person on a journey through an experience both real or imagined. In business, it should be a real and personal experience.
What makes a story good?
Now that you know what telling a story is, think of some good and bad stories you've heard. What makes a story good?
Plot- A story must have forward motion. The listener must see that they are about to go somewhere; to do this successfully requires planned structure and an agenda must be apparent. Every part presented must have relevance. Every person or item mentioned must serve a purpose in moving the story forward.
Characters- Yes, even in storytelling at a corporate level, well-rounded and interesting characters play an important role. Characters with flaws, weaknesses, redeeming qualities are a must (even if you're talking about your pets!). Perfect heroes or villains aren't interesting or relatable.
A Familiar Setting- When presenting to co-workers or an unfamiliar group, it's a must to use a setting that is familiar to them. Make sure the setting connects to the audience in some way. If you're speaking to an I.T. group at you work and the setting of your story is a trip to the park for a birthday party, you'd better make some connection to I.T. or you've lost your audience.
Satisfaction- Lastly, your story must have a satisfying ending that transitions seamlessly to the point of your presentation. For instance, if you're presenting to an audience of accountants and you are about to give them results of data analysis for the year, perhaps a funny story about the first time you took and failed the CPA test might make them chuckle and relate to you on a personal level. Connecting that experience to your topic will help the audience feel satisfied. Simply telling a story about a trip to the dentist might make them laugh, but if it's not connected to the topic of your meeting/presentation, you might turn off your audience. That's never a good thing.
Storytelling and Business
What makes storytelling in business important is making that personal connection. I once had a boss who was very serious. She demanded respect as opposed to earning it from her employees. When she led meetings, she started immediately with stating her agenda. I remember only a few meetings that started with a personal story that involved her family. I liked those meetings because the stories had made her seem human and not so robotic. I liked those meetings best because she appeared to be more approachable and relatable.
Another reason to tell a story at the start of a meeting is to build trust. When sharing a personal experience, you gain the trust of your audience. You can present yourself as an overcomer, someone who volunteered for a challenge and maybe failed, but learned a powerful life lesson. Someone in the audience needs to hear your story of overcoming obstacles against all odds. These types of stories inspire and motivate.
One last reason storytelling in business works is because it helps the audience stay focused and retain more information. If they can relate to the message, research suggests the information presented is retained more effectively. On average, an audience pays attention for 3-5 seconds and then moves on to their phone, daydreaming, or doodling on a piece of paper. Make your story personal, fascinating, and relevant, and your audience will pay attention.
Think of how Steve Jobs would stand before his employees and introduce a new product or provide motivation to be creative. Does your boss have the power of storytelling? What about you?
Now is the time! Storytelling in business isn't new, but it is making a comeback. More and more corporations are working hard to develop their own stories. Read their website pages! They want you to know their history:
American Express
Grand Canyon University
Apple
Microsoft
Amazon
Boeing
Coca-cola
John Deere
These are just some corporations with fascinating stories. Read them and learn more about sharing a personal narrative at the corporate level. What about where you work? Do you know your company's history?
Let the Story Do the Work
So, the next time you lead a meeting or presentation at work, dare to share a story. Make sure it is a personal narrative (not someone else's story...), make sure it has a plot (beginning, middle, and satisfying end), a familiar setting, and a satisfying transition to your topic.
It's not easy, but with practice, you can achieve success in storytelling! YOU can have an impact at work in more ways than one.
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
May 18, 2018
Moms with Older Kids: Now What?
A friend recently posted a blog post encouraging moms of older kids to "hang in there."
That post was the first I had seen. Usually all mom posts are about how to deal with toddlers and the lack of sleep that comes with motherhood! It was refreshing to read a blog post written to a mom like...me!
So, since I am a mom of a young adult, I thought I'd share my wisdom to encourage other moms out there....
A Different Kind of Lonely
When your kids are little, your life tends to center around them. Their lives also center around you. It's a constant push and pull that, oddly enough, works! Now that we have social media (it didn't exist when my son was little...), moms around the world are compelled to document their kids' lives on social media daily. Funny stories, photos, and videos are posted regularly.
And then comes adolescence.
Now what? Kids no longer talk to you. They don't want to be around you as much. They need you for rides to soccer games, volleyball tournaments, concerts, and Burger King, but that's about it. Their schedules are so full, you rarely eat dinner together at the table anymore. It's an exciting time to see your kids form a life of their own and embark on adventures. It's fun to sit back and watch them discover new things about themselves. But, at the same time, it feels strange not to document it all on social media, doesn't it?
But do your best not to. Now is the time to respect their privacy. Most teens are on Snapchat more than any other social network because moms and dads don't use Snapchat as much as Instagram or Facebook. For good reason, moms. I highly recommend you NOT use Snapchat or Tumblr. Trust me. I have had former students (now teens) recommend to me that I not visit these social platforms. Trust me. Stick to Instagram, Pinterest, and Facebook. You'll thank me.
The result of all these changes will be a different kind of lonely that perhaps you didn't expect. I know it hit me hard, but not as hard as some moms. Why didn't it hit me hard?
A Different Kind of Life
I wasn't affected as much because I had decided to make a change myself. Now that my son was pulling away from us as he approached adulthood, I decided to make use of social media in a different way: To document my life!
I created five (yes, FIVE) Facebook pages about my passions: Art, writing, running, my books, and my personal page. In doing so, I have had the chance to meet people from all over the world and document my life for my son, friends, and family to see. I have my own blog and also blog on here on Goodreads. I post images on Pinterest and stories on Instagram.
Social media can be dangerous, this is true. But it can also be a wonderful way to document your life. Try it!
It's Your Turn
I have found the best way to process through the loneliness that can come with growing kids is by turning that focus somewhere else. I'm an artist, writer, and a teacher, so I blog about my passions. I post on social media about my passions. I want my son to see that a mom's life doesn't end when her children become adults, In fact, I want him to see that women are more than just wives and moms. I want him to see that we do things, interesting things, and enjoy living our lives, too!
Isn't that what we want them to do with their lives?
Don't worry, Moms. They might be ignoring you now. They might be moodier now, they might be sleeping a lot more now, but soon they will begin to need you again. It won't be on the same level as when they were four or five, but it does happen. I remember when my son, who was about to purchase his first car, asked me, "Just how do you buy a car anyway?" It was fun explaining the process to him. I, frankly, was impressed that I even knew how to explain it to him! See? Parenting an older kid can be fun.
Our young adult son asks us so many questions about life. Sometimes he listens to us and sometimes he doesn't (Tattoos. Don't get me started...). But he still comes around to visit us. I cherish those times. Of course, as he is talking to me, I picture him in my mind as that little boy telling me all about his day at school. I would never tell my son this because it would be met with an eye roll.
Someday he will be a dad and won't that be fun to watch? I look forward to that time.
Moms out there, be patient. Find a new normal. As your teens pull away, it's your chance to form a life of your own and that's okay! It's not selfish to tell your teen you can't drive them somewhere because you have a date, a girls' night out, a nail appointment, or a half marathon in the morning. Trust me, I know this as fact: They will survive hearing the word "no."
Most of all, through all of this, your kids will see that mom actually has a life apart from them. Imagine that!
Your turn: What are your passions? How have you used social media to document your life apart from your kids? How is that important to you?
Blessings...
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
April 19, 2018
School Visits!
Why It's Important for Authors to Visit Schools
When I was an elementary school student, I read mostly non-fiction because I loved to learn facts. But, because I rarely picked up a fiction book, the ones I did read left an impact on me and greatly influenced my writing.
Recently, I had the privilege to visit yet another school in our community. The reason I encourage authors to visit schools in their community, is because you can leave a lasting impact on the students you read to.
How?
When I was a kid, sitting in that elementary school library, all those books had authors yet those authors were like historical figures to me. They existed but were never seen. Their books were the only evidence of their existence. I would have loved to have met one of them and asked them questions about why they write, what it takes to write a book, and if I could do it, too.
Make Connections
The main thing you can do by visiting a school is make connections to potential readers. Even if you write for adults, you can connect to readers who, hopefully, one day, will be adult readers of your genre!
Sharing your story to publication reveals to those students that there is a process to writing a book, but it is one with a finish line...and a final product (much like a medal at the end of a race) that is your book!
When I told my writing story to the students this week, they were astonished. They didn't realize that writing a book takes time...in my case, over twenty years. But I related my writing process to the process they had been taught in school:
-brainstorm
-outline
-rough draft
-edit/revise
-final draft
In doing this, they immediately connected with me. "When you get your essays back, do they have red marks on them?"
"Yes!" they shouted.
"It's the same thing for me when I get my manuscript back from my editor. It's harsh to see all those marks, but it makes me a better writer."
Make Writing REAL
As an author of eight books, standing before these students, I made writing seem REAL to them. Like me, they had the idea that books simply appeared at Book Fair tables or on library shelves. By meeting me and listening to my story, now they know that those enigmatic authors out there also have writing journeys and use a process similar to their own.
By standing before my books, I made the possibility of them becoming authors seem attainable. And that's what I would have loved to have experienced when I was an elementary student.
They asked thoughtful questions about my writing process, which authors inspired me to write (C.S. Lewis...), and which books inspired my own (Where the Red Fern Grows, The Black Stallion, Lord of the Rings, and King Arthur). They impressed me with their comments. "Sometimes writing seems like work, doesn't it?" "Yes..." they moaned. But I showed them that writing can also be FUN because it is an expression of who they are and what they feel.
Author Visits
So, if you are a published author, go visit a local school to talk to the students about writing. Do it for free, too. Donate autographed copies of your books to their library. Leave bookmarks or other items for the students, so they will remember you.
Even if you don't write for children, the fact that you are a "real life" author, standing before them with your story and books, will make writing REAL to them. You have the chance to inspire and encourage kids who love to read and write.
What an amazing opportunity to have!
Your turn: Have you visited a school to talk to students about writing? Why or why not?
Happy Writing!
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
When I was an elementary school student, I read mostly non-fiction because I loved to learn facts. But, because I rarely picked up a fiction book, the ones I did read left an impact on me and greatly influenced my writing.
Recently, I had the privilege to visit yet another school in our community. The reason I encourage authors to visit schools in their community, is because you can leave a lasting impact on the students you read to.
How?
When I was a kid, sitting in that elementary school library, all those books had authors yet those authors were like historical figures to me. They existed but were never seen. Their books were the only evidence of their existence. I would have loved to have met one of them and asked them questions about why they write, what it takes to write a book, and if I could do it, too.
Make Connections
The main thing you can do by visiting a school is make connections to potential readers. Even if you write for adults, you can connect to readers who, hopefully, one day, will be adult readers of your genre!
Sharing your story to publication reveals to those students that there is a process to writing a book, but it is one with a finish line...and a final product (much like a medal at the end of a race) that is your book!
When I told my writing story to the students this week, they were astonished. They didn't realize that writing a book takes time...in my case, over twenty years. But I related my writing process to the process they had been taught in school:
-brainstorm
-outline
-rough draft
-edit/revise
-final draft
In doing this, they immediately connected with me. "When you get your essays back, do they have red marks on them?"
"Yes!" they shouted.
"It's the same thing for me when I get my manuscript back from my editor. It's harsh to see all those marks, but it makes me a better writer."
Make Writing REAL
As an author of eight books, standing before these students, I made writing seem REAL to them. Like me, they had the idea that books simply appeared at Book Fair tables or on library shelves. By meeting me and listening to my story, now they know that those enigmatic authors out there also have writing journeys and use a process similar to their own.
By standing before my books, I made the possibility of them becoming authors seem attainable. And that's what I would have loved to have experienced when I was an elementary student.
They asked thoughtful questions about my writing process, which authors inspired me to write (C.S. Lewis...), and which books inspired my own (Where the Red Fern Grows, The Black Stallion, Lord of the Rings, and King Arthur). They impressed me with their comments. "Sometimes writing seems like work, doesn't it?" "Yes..." they moaned. But I showed them that writing can also be FUN because it is an expression of who they are and what they feel.
Author Visits
So, if you are a published author, go visit a local school to talk to the students about writing. Do it for free, too. Donate autographed copies of your books to their library. Leave bookmarks or other items for the students, so they will remember you.
Even if you don't write for children, the fact that you are a "real life" author, standing before them with your story and books, will make writing REAL to them. You have the chance to inspire and encourage kids who love to read and write.
What an amazing opportunity to have!
Your turn: Have you visited a school to talk to students about writing? Why or why not?
Happy Writing!
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
March 29, 2018
Slaying Dragons
How Writing Can Help Those with PTSD
Wartime journalist, photographer, and blogger, Michael Yon's famous photograph graces the cover of his book.
Moment of Truth in Iraq: How a New 'Greatest Generation' of American Soldiers is Turning Defeat and Disaster into Victory and Hope 1st (first) edition (authors) Michael Yon (2008) published by Richard Vigilante Books Hardcover
In 2004, I sat at my computer, surfing the internet about the War in Iraq. I visited news websites like ABC, NBC, and CNN. After I would read their stories about the war, I turned to a blog.
Blogs That Changed the World
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...
I had started reading blogs in 2001 after the terrorist attack on September 11th of that year. Blogs like Instapundit and The Drudge Report were considered new but had gained popularity after the terrorist attack.
So, during the Iraq War, I turned to blogs for more accurate news reports about the war. Why? Because, for the first time in US history, the war was being logged onto websites (weblogs or "blogs") in real time or pretty close to real time.
Law Professor Glenn Reynolds, journalist Michelle Malkin, and Matt Drudge became as common to me as Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw. I read their daily posts faithfully.
I read them faithfully, especially after the battle of Fallujah.
This deadly battle changed the War in Iraq and also the media's perception of the war. After that, a new phenomenon began: Military blogs.
MilBlogs
Suddenly, dozens and dozens of combat military soldiers and Marines started opening up their lap tops or heading to the computer lab on base and began to write. They wrote about battles they had just participated in. They wrote about the losses they had suffered. They wrote about the journalists they had met. And they wrote about Iraq with its various cultures.
Blackfive, My War, Little Green Footballs, Michael Yon, Ma Deuce Gunner, American Soldier were just some of the blogs I read daily. And I loved their posts! I could read about a battle in Iraq just minutes after it had happened. I read the heart-pumping details about a firefight on the streets outside a Forward Operating Base, written by the gunner who had fought in that battle and had survived.
Some even published books based on their blogs.
The Blog of War: Front-Line Dispatches from Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
My War: Killing Time in Iraq
These men and women had the privilege of writing. Yes, the privilege of writing about their experiences as they happened because other veterans of war did not have that experience. Writing about the war as it happened helped Iraqi soldiers deal with the trauma of combat. I remember reading one post and commenting on it. A few minutes later, the soldier addressed my comment and I was able to thank him for his service. How amazing is that? How many Vietnam veterans would have loved to have been able to write about their horrific experiences in the jungle and then hear from someone back home just minutes later?
Iraqis Writing About Iraq
I also had followed blogs written by Iraqis during the war. Sometimes they were hiding for their lives because they were pro war. They were brutally honest about the conditions of their towns after the bombings and ousting of Saddam Hussein. But I was able to celebrate with them as their country inched closer and closer to victory.
What an amazing time it was. These blogs inspired me to write my latest book, Leaving Eden. In this book, my protagonist heads to Iraq to embed with the Marines in order to cover the war and their experiences with accuracy. I modeled her characteristics based off of the journalists I read about in various blogs. Some were objectively writing about the war and others were there with an anti-war agenda.
Doves and PTSD
And I suppose these anti-war journos (as the milbloggers called them) were much like the anti-war protesters of the Vietnam era. Their subjective war reporting perpetuated the PTSD our veterans suffered. Their exaggerated theories about Haditha almost cost Marines their lives. And none of this helped the Marines deal with their PTSD.
After that, it seemed more and more people turned to bloggers for news than to famous news outlets. The Dan Rather "Fake but accurate..." scandal didn't help the media's defense that these bloggers were only wanna-be journalists writing in their pajamas.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/09/...
This comment inadvertently started a movement. And PJ Media was born.
https://pjmedia.com/
PJ Media continues to host bloggers and news stories, providing an alternative to the mainstream media outlets.
Now bloggers and milbloggers have a forum for their writing.
Veterans, who were once described as "dangerous" and "suspicious characters" walking around town in news stories and in movies, could refute these claims in their articles.
Slaying Dragons
As I have written before, writing can help veterans deal with PTSD. The milbloggers learned this. They were able to report the good, bad, and ugly of the wars as they experienced them. Americans were able to read about their experiences and immediately give feedback.
Today, can veterans still heal through writing? Absolutely. Writing is one of the Fine Arts and there is plenty of research out there suggesting that art therapy is very beneficial.
Veterans can and should write daily about their experiences even if no one ever reads the final product. Getting all the trauma of loss and suffering out of one's head is a lot like deleting the contents of the recycle bin on the computer.
Also, allowing people to read the final product can be a healing experience for veterans, as well. It requires the writer to become vulnerable and let down their shields for a moment, but never their swords. That's part of the healing process. Keeping things bottled up inside is what can lead to further anxiety and depression.
Bottom line, words heal! Writing helps clear the mind. And readers do more than support a writer...they can help save a life.
Sources:
Military One Source http://www.militaryonesource.mil/-/co...
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
Wartime journalist, photographer, and blogger, Michael Yon's famous photograph graces the cover of his book.
Moment of Truth in Iraq: How a New 'Greatest Generation' of American Soldiers is Turning Defeat and Disaster into Victory and Hope 1st (first) edition (authors) Michael Yon (2008) published by Richard Vigilante Books Hardcover
In 2004, I sat at my computer, surfing the internet about the War in Iraq. I visited news websites like ABC, NBC, and CNN. After I would read their stories about the war, I turned to a blog.
Blogs That Changed the World
https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/...
I had started reading blogs in 2001 after the terrorist attack on September 11th of that year. Blogs like Instapundit and The Drudge Report were considered new but had gained popularity after the terrorist attack.
So, during the Iraq War, I turned to blogs for more accurate news reports about the war. Why? Because, for the first time in US history, the war was being logged onto websites (weblogs or "blogs") in real time or pretty close to real time.
Law Professor Glenn Reynolds, journalist Michelle Malkin, and Matt Drudge became as common to me as Peter Jennings and Tom Brokaw. I read their daily posts faithfully.
I read them faithfully, especially after the battle of Fallujah.
This deadly battle changed the War in Iraq and also the media's perception of the war. After that, a new phenomenon began: Military blogs.
MilBlogs
Suddenly, dozens and dozens of combat military soldiers and Marines started opening up their lap tops or heading to the computer lab on base and began to write. They wrote about battles they had just participated in. They wrote about the losses they had suffered. They wrote about the journalists they had met. And they wrote about Iraq with its various cultures.
Blackfive, My War, Little Green Footballs, Michael Yon, Ma Deuce Gunner, American Soldier were just some of the blogs I read daily. And I loved their posts! I could read about a battle in Iraq just minutes after it had happened. I read the heart-pumping details about a firefight on the streets outside a Forward Operating Base, written by the gunner who had fought in that battle and had survived.
Some even published books based on their blogs.
The Blog of War: Front-Line Dispatches from Soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan
My War: Killing Time in Iraq
These men and women had the privilege of writing. Yes, the privilege of writing about their experiences as they happened because other veterans of war did not have that experience. Writing about the war as it happened helped Iraqi soldiers deal with the trauma of combat. I remember reading one post and commenting on it. A few minutes later, the soldier addressed my comment and I was able to thank him for his service. How amazing is that? How many Vietnam veterans would have loved to have been able to write about their horrific experiences in the jungle and then hear from someone back home just minutes later?
Iraqis Writing About Iraq
I also had followed blogs written by Iraqis during the war. Sometimes they were hiding for their lives because they were pro war. They were brutally honest about the conditions of their towns after the bombings and ousting of Saddam Hussein. But I was able to celebrate with them as their country inched closer and closer to victory.
What an amazing time it was. These blogs inspired me to write my latest book, Leaving Eden. In this book, my protagonist heads to Iraq to embed with the Marines in order to cover the war and their experiences with accuracy. I modeled her characteristics based off of the journalists I read about in various blogs. Some were objectively writing about the war and others were there with an anti-war agenda.
Doves and PTSD
And I suppose these anti-war journos (as the milbloggers called them) were much like the anti-war protesters of the Vietnam era. Their subjective war reporting perpetuated the PTSD our veterans suffered. Their exaggerated theories about Haditha almost cost Marines their lives. And none of this helped the Marines deal with their PTSD.
After that, it seemed more and more people turned to bloggers for news than to famous news outlets. The Dan Rather "Fake but accurate..." scandal didn't help the media's defense that these bloggers were only wanna-be journalists writing in their pajamas.
http://www.foxnews.com/story/2004/09/...
This comment inadvertently started a movement. And PJ Media was born.
https://pjmedia.com/
PJ Media continues to host bloggers and news stories, providing an alternative to the mainstream media outlets.
Now bloggers and milbloggers have a forum for their writing.
Veterans, who were once described as "dangerous" and "suspicious characters" walking around town in news stories and in movies, could refute these claims in their articles.
Slaying Dragons
As I have written before, writing can help veterans deal with PTSD. The milbloggers learned this. They were able to report the good, bad, and ugly of the wars as they experienced them. Americans were able to read about their experiences and immediately give feedback.
Today, can veterans still heal through writing? Absolutely. Writing is one of the Fine Arts and there is plenty of research out there suggesting that art therapy is very beneficial.
Veterans can and should write daily about their experiences even if no one ever reads the final product. Getting all the trauma of loss and suffering out of one's head is a lot like deleting the contents of the recycle bin on the computer.
Also, allowing people to read the final product can be a healing experience for veterans, as well. It requires the writer to become vulnerable and let down their shields for a moment, but never their swords. That's part of the healing process. Keeping things bottled up inside is what can lead to further anxiety and depression.
Bottom line, words heal! Writing helps clear the mind. And readers do more than support a writer...they can help save a life.
Sources:
Military One Source http://www.militaryonesource.mil/-/co...
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
March 19, 2018
Motivation Monday
How the 4-Drive Theory Motivates Writers
Needs
We all have needs. Some are easier to meet than others. Some needs are easier to communicate than others.
Communicating our needs is essential to obtaining the assistance we need in order to reach our true potential. The 4-Drive Theory is typically used by management in businesses, but we can also use this theory to motivate us in our writing careers.
Acquire- We all have that need to achieve and accomplish, so we attend conferences to acquire the information needed to become better writers. This will help us compete and achieve.
Bond- Writers tend to be loners, so the need to bond with other writers may not be communicated successfully. It is hard to ask for help, sometimes. But in order to bond with other writers, attending conferences helps, participating in a critique group helps, and even being a critique partner helps. Building a culture of caring and support is what every person needs.
Comprehend- Learning opportunities are out there. The need to learn new things is vital to our personal growth. By meeting this need, writers stay motivated to write. Challenging ourselves will also cause us to stay motivated. Writing in a new genre is definitely challenging, but this causes us to grow in our profession. Trying something new will keep our creative juices flowing.
Defend- In business, this would be where the employee defends his/her work in an evaluation. In writing, we have to defend our work all the time: To editors, agents, publishers, critique groups, etc. But the act of defending our work makes us better writers. If we can't defend our stories to our editors and critique partners, then how can we defend them to total strangers like agents or publishers? Explaining a story is different than telling a story. But we obtain confidence when we defend our stories. This confidence will motivate us to write more, enter stories into contests, and feel accomplished.
Stay Motivated
We all need motivation from outside and from within. Extrinsic motivation has been known to be temporary. "Atta boy" statements and pay raises last for a while, but the intrinsic motivation tends to be more permanent.
Knowing how to motivate ourselves and stay motivated when times get tough is what we all want to achieve.
We've all been there: Receiving a rejection from an agent or contest judge hurts. Being able to work past that hurt is what keeps us in the race.
The 4-Drive Theory can apply to our writing journey as well as in business. We can use this theory to learn how to work through the setbacks and achieve our goals.
In other words...keep writing! Never give up!
Source: http://www.leadersbeacon.com/how-grea...
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
Needs
We all have needs. Some are easier to meet than others. Some needs are easier to communicate than others.
Communicating our needs is essential to obtaining the assistance we need in order to reach our true potential. The 4-Drive Theory is typically used by management in businesses, but we can also use this theory to motivate us in our writing careers.
Acquire- We all have that need to achieve and accomplish, so we attend conferences to acquire the information needed to become better writers. This will help us compete and achieve.
Bond- Writers tend to be loners, so the need to bond with other writers may not be communicated successfully. It is hard to ask for help, sometimes. But in order to bond with other writers, attending conferences helps, participating in a critique group helps, and even being a critique partner helps. Building a culture of caring and support is what every person needs.
Comprehend- Learning opportunities are out there. The need to learn new things is vital to our personal growth. By meeting this need, writers stay motivated to write. Challenging ourselves will also cause us to stay motivated. Writing in a new genre is definitely challenging, but this causes us to grow in our profession. Trying something new will keep our creative juices flowing.
Defend- In business, this would be where the employee defends his/her work in an evaluation. In writing, we have to defend our work all the time: To editors, agents, publishers, critique groups, etc. But the act of defending our work makes us better writers. If we can't defend our stories to our editors and critique partners, then how can we defend them to total strangers like agents or publishers? Explaining a story is different than telling a story. But we obtain confidence when we defend our stories. This confidence will motivate us to write more, enter stories into contests, and feel accomplished.
Stay Motivated
We all need motivation from outside and from within. Extrinsic motivation has been known to be temporary. "Atta boy" statements and pay raises last for a while, but the intrinsic motivation tends to be more permanent.
Knowing how to motivate ourselves and stay motivated when times get tough is what we all want to achieve.
We've all been there: Receiving a rejection from an agent or contest judge hurts. Being able to work past that hurt is what keeps us in the race.
The 4-Drive Theory can apply to our writing journey as well as in business. We can use this theory to learn how to work through the setbacks and achieve our goals.
In other words...keep writing! Never give up!
Source: http://www.leadersbeacon.com/how-grea...
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of middle grade books. She is currently working on her women's inspirational novel, Leaving Eden, to be release later this year. To learn more about her books, visit her website: www.thedragonforest.com
March 15, 2018
Healing With Words
How Researching PTSD Changed My Book
A Higher Purpose
When I was a writing teacher, I would often show my students J.K. Rowling's commencement address she gave at Harvard. I showed this speech to students so they could learn how to properly write and give a speech. Rowling did an excellent job.
But as I listened to the moving speech, a few things hit my heart rather hard. In addition to sharing her writing journey, she described her time working for a human rights organization. She went on to describe the impact her time at the organization had on her life and on her writing. After learning more about her time there, readers can easily see how important human rights are to her just by reading her famous Harry Potter series.
PTSD and Other Issues
That revelation by Rowling made me pause and consider my own writing projects. Do they have an impact on my readers? Am I successfully conveying my message to them?
I'd love to be a writer simply to make money, but that's just not me. I write to send a message, too. In my current WIP, Leaving Eden, my protagonist is a war correspondent who suffers from PTSD. She doesn't realize it at first, but friends and family recognize the symptoms. When they confront her, she resists getting help at first. But later she realizes her friends and family are right. She seeks help.
So many people don't truly understand the disorder and what trauma can do to a person's mental state. I know I didn't understand the scope until I experienced it when my mother died suddenly. I then started studying it.
The disorder was first recorded and researched at the time of the Civil War. Military physicians called it "irritable heart" and "soldier's heart." Later it was called "battle shock."
Experiencing and witnessing a sudden traumatic death can forever change a person. You can't "un-see" what you have seen. I worked in a criminal court and saw the horrific crime scenes and listened to descriptive testimony about those crimes. I also witnessed several autopsies live because I once thought about going into forensic science. I once sat four feet away from a mass murderer and rapist. All of these experiences stayed in my mind and began to change how I thought. I had no idea this was happening until 7 years later. I knew I had to walk away from this atmosphere. Imagine the police officers, medical examiners, paramedics, and firefighters who cannot walk away. They need their jobs!
And I also knew that I could never be a forensic scientist. And that's okay. It's important to respect your boundaries
War
Now consider those who have experienced war! The constant threat of death and destruction does affect the psyche.
During WWI, soldiers were psychologically wounded. The weapons of war had advanced and chemical weaponry had a severe result on soldiers. The term "shell shock" entered the vernacular and alerted Freud. He submitted a memorandum about the brutal treatment wounded soldiers were enduring. Not only were they physically wounded, but psychologically wounded. Doctors had to learn to treat wounds they could not see.
WWII changed the terminology and called PTSD "battle fatigue" and "combat stress." These men (and even the women who served as nurses) had reached their limit.
PTSD wasn't even officially diagnosed until the 1950s.
In the 1960s and 70s, of course, Vietnam veterans and the mistreatment of their psychological wounds perpetuated the problem rather than prevented it.
Today, we all know more about PTSD and its affects on those who have served in war. The good thing is that the more PTSD is discussed, the more prevention options are discussed as well.
Books About War
War Torn: Stories of War from the Women Reporters who Covered Vietnam
American Daughter Gone to War: On the Front Lines with an Army Nurse in Vietnam
In my book, Leaving Eden, my protagonist experienced war in Afghanistan and Iraq by embedding with the troops in both countries.
To prepare for writing this book, I read War Torn by Tad Bartimus and Tracy Wood which is about women journalists who served and reported on the Vietnam War. It was an eye-opening read. I knew women journalists went to Vietnam, but I had no idea what they had endured.
Another good book to read that also prepared me was American Daughter Gone to War by Winnie Smith. This book is also well written and fascinating. It opened my eyes to what nurses endured during Vietnam.
But the aftermath of war was also presented in both books. That's what intrigued me the most. Survivors of war suffer much when they return home; Survivor's guilt, depression, anxiety all of which are typically self-medicated at first, resulting in alcohol abuse and drug abuse.
Now that my protagonist is home again, how will she adjust? How do all war vets adjust?
Knowledge is Power
Now that I know more about PTSD, I can write about it. There is still so much for me to learn. I want to interview those who have returned home from war to ensure I am adequately portraying the affects of the disorder in my story.
Now that we know more about PTSD and its affects on people (and not just veterans but all victims and survivors of trauma), we should do our best to spread the knowledge.
If we keep quiet about it, we perpetuate the problem rather than solve or prevent the problem. Words can heal.
For this reason, I am making sure the issues that surround PTSD are addressed in my novel. My protagonist is a strong headed woman with a purpose. Pride and fear keep her from understanding the effects of the trauma she has experienced after 8 years of dealing with war. Pride almost kept me from seeking help after I experienced the trauma of losing my mom suddenly. What else keeps people from seeking help or talking about their traumatic experiences? How can they be helped to move forward?
There are resources out there. Books are just some of the resources. As writers, we can help get the conversation started by addressing PTSD and other issues in our stories.
I suppose that's why I write what I write.: Flawed characters who do their best to move forward, conquering the "dragons" along the way.
Write with a purpose, that's what I always say.
My purpose is to help others cope with what life has handed them.
For help with PTSD, please visit: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of books for middle grade readers. She is now working on a contemporary inspirational novel, Leaving Eden for release later this fall. She is also an educator and speaker with a Masters degree in Education.
References:
History of PTSD in veterans: Civil war to DSM-5. National Center for PTSD. (2016). Retrieved from //www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp
Friedman, M. J. (2015). History of PTSD in veterans: Civil War to DSM-5. Retrieved from //www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/...
A Higher Purpose
When I was a writing teacher, I would often show my students J.K. Rowling's commencement address she gave at Harvard. I showed this speech to students so they could learn how to properly write and give a speech. Rowling did an excellent job.
But as I listened to the moving speech, a few things hit my heart rather hard. In addition to sharing her writing journey, she described her time working for a human rights organization. She went on to describe the impact her time at the organization had on her life and on her writing. After learning more about her time there, readers can easily see how important human rights are to her just by reading her famous Harry Potter series.
PTSD and Other Issues
That revelation by Rowling made me pause and consider my own writing projects. Do they have an impact on my readers? Am I successfully conveying my message to them?
I'd love to be a writer simply to make money, but that's just not me. I write to send a message, too. In my current WIP, Leaving Eden, my protagonist is a war correspondent who suffers from PTSD. She doesn't realize it at first, but friends and family recognize the symptoms. When they confront her, she resists getting help at first. But later she realizes her friends and family are right. She seeks help.
So many people don't truly understand the disorder and what trauma can do to a person's mental state. I know I didn't understand the scope until I experienced it when my mother died suddenly. I then started studying it.
The disorder was first recorded and researched at the time of the Civil War. Military physicians called it "irritable heart" and "soldier's heart." Later it was called "battle shock."
Experiencing and witnessing a sudden traumatic death can forever change a person. You can't "un-see" what you have seen. I worked in a criminal court and saw the horrific crime scenes and listened to descriptive testimony about those crimes. I also witnessed several autopsies live because I once thought about going into forensic science. I once sat four feet away from a mass murderer and rapist. All of these experiences stayed in my mind and began to change how I thought. I had no idea this was happening until 7 years later. I knew I had to walk away from this atmosphere. Imagine the police officers, medical examiners, paramedics, and firefighters who cannot walk away. They need their jobs!
And I also knew that I could never be a forensic scientist. And that's okay. It's important to respect your boundaries
War
Now consider those who have experienced war! The constant threat of death and destruction does affect the psyche.
During WWI, soldiers were psychologically wounded. The weapons of war had advanced and chemical weaponry had a severe result on soldiers. The term "shell shock" entered the vernacular and alerted Freud. He submitted a memorandum about the brutal treatment wounded soldiers were enduring. Not only were they physically wounded, but psychologically wounded. Doctors had to learn to treat wounds they could not see.
WWII changed the terminology and called PTSD "battle fatigue" and "combat stress." These men (and even the women who served as nurses) had reached their limit.
PTSD wasn't even officially diagnosed until the 1950s.
In the 1960s and 70s, of course, Vietnam veterans and the mistreatment of their psychological wounds perpetuated the problem rather than prevented it.
Today, we all know more about PTSD and its affects on those who have served in war. The good thing is that the more PTSD is discussed, the more prevention options are discussed as well.
Books About War
War Torn: Stories of War from the Women Reporters who Covered Vietnam
American Daughter Gone to War: On the Front Lines with an Army Nurse in Vietnam
In my book, Leaving Eden, my protagonist experienced war in Afghanistan and Iraq by embedding with the troops in both countries.
To prepare for writing this book, I read War Torn by Tad Bartimus and Tracy Wood which is about women journalists who served and reported on the Vietnam War. It was an eye-opening read. I knew women journalists went to Vietnam, but I had no idea what they had endured.
Another good book to read that also prepared me was American Daughter Gone to War by Winnie Smith. This book is also well written and fascinating. It opened my eyes to what nurses endured during Vietnam.
But the aftermath of war was also presented in both books. That's what intrigued me the most. Survivors of war suffer much when they return home; Survivor's guilt, depression, anxiety all of which are typically self-medicated at first, resulting in alcohol abuse and drug abuse.
Now that my protagonist is home again, how will she adjust? How do all war vets adjust?
Knowledge is Power
Now that I know more about PTSD, I can write about it. There is still so much for me to learn. I want to interview those who have returned home from war to ensure I am adequately portraying the affects of the disorder in my story.
Now that we know more about PTSD and its affects on people (and not just veterans but all victims and survivors of trauma), we should do our best to spread the knowledge.
If we keep quiet about it, we perpetuate the problem rather than solve or prevent the problem. Words can heal.
For this reason, I am making sure the issues that surround PTSD are addressed in my novel. My protagonist is a strong headed woman with a purpose. Pride and fear keep her from understanding the effects of the trauma she has experienced after 8 years of dealing with war. Pride almost kept me from seeking help after I experienced the trauma of losing my mom suddenly. What else keeps people from seeking help or talking about their traumatic experiences? How can they be helped to move forward?
There are resources out there. Books are just some of the resources. As writers, we can help get the conversation started by addressing PTSD and other issues in our stories.
I suppose that's why I write what I write.: Flawed characters who do their best to move forward, conquering the "dragons" along the way.
Write with a purpose, that's what I always say.
My purpose is to help others cope with what life has handed them.
For help with PTSD, please visit: https://www.ptsd.va.gov/
R. A. Douthitt is an award-winning author of books for middle grade readers. She is now working on a contemporary inspirational novel, Leaving Eden for release later this fall. She is also an educator and speaker with a Masters degree in Education.
References:
History of PTSD in veterans: Civil war to DSM-5. National Center for PTSD. (2016). Retrieved from //www.ptsd.va.gov/index.asp
Friedman, M. J. (2015). History of PTSD in veterans: Civil War to DSM-5. Retrieved from //www.ptsd.va.gov/public/PTSD-overview/...
March 12, 2018
Motivation
So What's the Big Deal About Motivation?
I have to facilitate a presentation about motivation at work soon, so I have been deep in motivational videos, theories, and podcasts in preparation for it.
The results? I am super motivated!!
I'm motivated to share motivational tools, and ideas that I have found so helpful for me.
Motivation
What's the big deal about motivation anyway? Why do managers attend such presentations about motivation?
Well, what are the benefits?
Improved productivity
Strong work culture
Reduced absenteeism
Achievement of Objectives
But why is motivation important for the rest of us?
As I have blogged before, I run and train for races. I am also an author with many projects set for 2018. Motivation is key for me to meet all my goals for the year.
There are so many motivational theories out there. I lean toward Maslow's Motivational Theory because it's simple:
If your very basic needs aren't met, then everything comes crumbling down. In other words, if you have no food in your belly, shelter over your head, and clothes on your back, you won't be motivated to do much of anything let alone achieve your potential!
But once those needs are met, then you move on to the other needs: Socialization, belonging and love, respect and acceptance, validation of ideas, challenging yourself...all of these can help you reach your potential, and then self-actualization.
Self-Actualization
What does that level look like? Let's use Oprah as an example. She reached stardom through hard work and innovation. She started the "daytime talk show" trend by restructuring it and making it more personal. That achievement led to her challenging herself by trying new concepts: Acting.
After receiving an Academy Award nomination, she had the self esteem to venture out into more challenging roles on TV and in film. She began her own studio and cable network.
But one thing keeps knocking her off the top of Maslow's Pyramid: Her weight.
Oprah's constant battle with her weight has always brought her down a few levels on the pyramid, but she has learned through the years how to get back up to the top.
And that's what self-actualization looks like. When you have reached autonomy (meaning, you no longer rely on others to reach your true potential because you know how to get back on top on your own) you have made it to the top!
No, becoming a billionaire is not the requirement of "self-actualization" or "transcendence." Gandhi reached that level without being a billionaire and you will, too.
Being able to carry on without relying on others for your happiness is key for success. Your definition of success might differ from mine.
What's your definition of success?
The big deal about motivation is that we all need outside motivation to inspire our inner motivation so we can reach our definition of success. But knowing how to get back up again after falling down is what Self-Actualization is all about.
Motivation is a Big Deal
I strongly feel that our calling is to know how to stay motivated so we can motivate others around us. And by "others" I mean not just employees, but family and friends, too!
As a writer, I feel called to motivate my readers and students of writing. I have learned (and continue to learn...) how to get back up again after rejection and delay. I want to share my knowledge and wisdom. I'm a teacher, that's what I do!
Some motivational theories and tools you can try are:
Happify.com
Four-Drive Theory
Goal Setting Theory
These tools can help you assess your needs and learn how to help motivate others in business or in your personal life. We'd be crazy to think everyone knows how to motivate themselves. It's important for us to share our knowledge with others. That's how things change for the better.
What about you? How do you motivate others? Why is it important for us to do so?
I have to facilitate a presentation about motivation at work soon, so I have been deep in motivational videos, theories, and podcasts in preparation for it.
The results? I am super motivated!!
I'm motivated to share motivational tools, and ideas that I have found so helpful for me.
Motivation
What's the big deal about motivation anyway? Why do managers attend such presentations about motivation?
Well, what are the benefits?
Improved productivity
Strong work culture
Reduced absenteeism
Achievement of Objectives
But why is motivation important for the rest of us?
As I have blogged before, I run and train for races. I am also an author with many projects set for 2018. Motivation is key for me to meet all my goals for the year.
There are so many motivational theories out there. I lean toward Maslow's Motivational Theory because it's simple:
If your very basic needs aren't met, then everything comes crumbling down. In other words, if you have no food in your belly, shelter over your head, and clothes on your back, you won't be motivated to do much of anything let alone achieve your potential!
But once those needs are met, then you move on to the other needs: Socialization, belonging and love, respect and acceptance, validation of ideas, challenging yourself...all of these can help you reach your potential, and then self-actualization.
Self-Actualization
What does that level look like? Let's use Oprah as an example. She reached stardom through hard work and innovation. She started the "daytime talk show" trend by restructuring it and making it more personal. That achievement led to her challenging herself by trying new concepts: Acting.
After receiving an Academy Award nomination, she had the self esteem to venture out into more challenging roles on TV and in film. She began her own studio and cable network.
But one thing keeps knocking her off the top of Maslow's Pyramid: Her weight.
Oprah's constant battle with her weight has always brought her down a few levels on the pyramid, but she has learned through the years how to get back up to the top.
And that's what self-actualization looks like. When you have reached autonomy (meaning, you no longer rely on others to reach your true potential because you know how to get back on top on your own) you have made it to the top!
No, becoming a billionaire is not the requirement of "self-actualization" or "transcendence." Gandhi reached that level without being a billionaire and you will, too.
Being able to carry on without relying on others for your happiness is key for success. Your definition of success might differ from mine.
What's your definition of success?
The big deal about motivation is that we all need outside motivation to inspire our inner motivation so we can reach our definition of success. But knowing how to get back up again after falling down is what Self-Actualization is all about.
Motivation is a Big Deal
I strongly feel that our calling is to know how to stay motivated so we can motivate others around us. And by "others" I mean not just employees, but family and friends, too!
As a writer, I feel called to motivate my readers and students of writing. I have learned (and continue to learn...) how to get back up again after rejection and delay. I want to share my knowledge and wisdom. I'm a teacher, that's what I do!
Some motivational theories and tools you can try are:
Happify.com
Four-Drive Theory
Goal Setting Theory
These tools can help you assess your needs and learn how to help motivate others in business or in your personal life. We'd be crazy to think everyone knows how to motivate themselves. It's important for us to share our knowledge with others. That's how things change for the better.
What about you? How do you motivate others? Why is it important for us to do so?
March 6, 2018
Why Do You Write?
Lessons from Meet the Author Day
My favorite time of year (other than Christmas), is "Meet the Author Day" at local schools. I was honored to receive two invitations to visit schools this year. And I do mean honored because I consider it a great honor to meet my target audience with hopes of inspiring them.
Yes, I want to sell my books, too, but the main purpose of my visit is to inspire them to keep working toward their goals.
Why Did You Write a Book?
That's typically the first of many questions I am asked by students when I visit their school. I love it because they have seen many books before I walk through the door. They have a library filled with various books, and so they want to know why I wrote a book.
"Because I have a story to tell!" I usually answer. I also explain that I am an artist, and why do artists paint? Why do singers sing? Why do actors act?
For the same reason writers write: To be known!
We paint, sing, draw, act, and write to be seen, read, and heard. There's nothing better than having your work recognized and acknowledged. It's a terrific feeling!
"Do you make any money from your books?" another student typically asks.
I chuckle because that is the dream, isn't it? All authors secretly want to be the next J.K. Rowling, James Patterson, or Rick Riordin. But the truth is we probably won't be able to quit our day jobs anytime soon. And that's okay with me. To answer this student's question, I begin by describing an email I received after a school visit last year.
I had visited a small local school where some students had pre-ordered my books and, after I delivered the books to the school, the librarian was kind enough to send me an email.
"THANK YOU, RUTH! Allen was absolutely thrilled to get the books during Library this morning. The other kids were so excited, they checked out all of your books!"
I smile every time I read that email because it exemplifies why I write. The fact that children are excited to read a story I wrote is payment enough for me.
I shared the email with the students last week. "That..." I pointed to it. "That right there is why I write."
The students smile. They seem to understand, but I know they won't fully understand until they write something, or sing something, or draw something, or act in something that makes someone smile, or be thrilled, or become excited. That's truly the only way anyone can know why we do something with our art.
And so, I go on to explain how I write a book, how teachers from my past inspired me, and how I deal with the rejections. I do this to encourage them to keep working toward their goals until they see their dreams come true.
I love to give out my drawings to those students and I love to donate my books to their school library. I love it because that's why I do what I do. They are the reason I get in front of my computer and knock out that next story, even when I don't want to. I have to! It's difficult work at times, but worth it. Isn't it?
So...why do you write?
My favorite time of year (other than Christmas), is "Meet the Author Day" at local schools. I was honored to receive two invitations to visit schools this year. And I do mean honored because I consider it a great honor to meet my target audience with hopes of inspiring them.
Yes, I want to sell my books, too, but the main purpose of my visit is to inspire them to keep working toward their goals.
Why Did You Write a Book?
That's typically the first of many questions I am asked by students when I visit their school. I love it because they have seen many books before I walk through the door. They have a library filled with various books, and so they want to know why I wrote a book.
"Because I have a story to tell!" I usually answer. I also explain that I am an artist, and why do artists paint? Why do singers sing? Why do actors act?
For the same reason writers write: To be known!
We paint, sing, draw, act, and write to be seen, read, and heard. There's nothing better than having your work recognized and acknowledged. It's a terrific feeling!
"Do you make any money from your books?" another student typically asks.
I chuckle because that is the dream, isn't it? All authors secretly want to be the next J.K. Rowling, James Patterson, or Rick Riordin. But the truth is we probably won't be able to quit our day jobs anytime soon. And that's okay with me. To answer this student's question, I begin by describing an email I received after a school visit last year.
I had visited a small local school where some students had pre-ordered my books and, after I delivered the books to the school, the librarian was kind enough to send me an email.
"THANK YOU, RUTH! Allen was absolutely thrilled to get the books during Library this morning. The other kids were so excited, they checked out all of your books!"
I smile every time I read that email because it exemplifies why I write. The fact that children are excited to read a story I wrote is payment enough for me.
I shared the email with the students last week. "That..." I pointed to it. "That right there is why I write."
The students smile. They seem to understand, but I know they won't fully understand until they write something, or sing something, or draw something, or act in something that makes someone smile, or be thrilled, or become excited. That's truly the only way anyone can know why we do something with our art.
And so, I go on to explain how I write a book, how teachers from my past inspired me, and how I deal with the rejections. I do this to encourage them to keep working toward their goals until they see their dreams come true.
I love to give out my drawings to those students and I love to donate my books to their school library. I love it because that's why I do what I do. They are the reason I get in front of my computer and knock out that next story, even when I don't want to. I have to! It's difficult work at times, but worth it. Isn't it?
So...why do you write?
March 1, 2018
It's All Uphill From Here
Wait? I thought it Was All Downhill From Here?
Ever take on a project that just might be more than you had planned? At first, you couldn't wait to work on it, but then you began to realize that there's no way you can complete it.
As a writer, I have been there.
Some projects are simple: A low word count book that follows a "formula" of Act I, II, and III with an uncomplicated conclusion.
Voila!
You're done, get it edited, revise, upload, hit publish and there it is! A completed project.
Other projects, however, require more thought, effort, time, and determination.
UpHill
Running on a flat surface is a piece of cake. As a runner of many marathons, the words "flat course" when describing a race is heaven to us runners. No one enjoys running uphill. it is a challenge, but boy does it take its toll on the body.
Same with some writing projects. They just seem uphill all the way! Why is that?
Research: You've heard the saying, "Write what you know" because that's the easy way to do it. But some projects require some research and that can cause a writer to freeze up. The cognitive dissonance almost paralyzes us! Procrastination wins.
Critique: I have writer friends who are blessed to have a FREE (free as in cost as well as in availability) critique group help them brainstorm a project from beginning to end. I have never had such a blessing. I guess I came into this writing game too late, but it seems all the critique groups are full and not receiving "new patients" at this time! LOL
Bummer. I could really use the help getting through my current project. I may have bitten off more than I can chew! It would help to sit with a writer familiar with the genre I'm writing and provide some pointers. Nothing makes you stop writing faster than when you realize that you may not know what the heck you're writing! But to find a critique group today requires a lot of money: You have to register for a writers conference, pay for airline tickets, and hotel because hardly any conferences are in your neck of the woods, doncha know? And then pay for the critique. Ugh!! I get it, they are professionals who deserve to be paid for their time.
Personal Responsibilities: This hill gets me all the time. I tend to plan so many activities (running, writing, ministry, etc) that I don't have as much time to work on an uphill project. Why do I do this?? Probably because this project is so intimidating that, subconsciously, I don't want to work on it. Making myself busy is the perfect excuse!
But running uphill requires time, effort, and skill. There is a right way and wrong way to do it.
The right way leads to successfully reaching the top and celebrating the success!
The wrong way leads to pain...pain in the lungs, legs, and shins. Not knowing how to run uphill can lead to injury. And nothing ends a running career quite like injury.
As with writing, there is a way to conquer that hill succesfully!
First: running uphill requires that you are up on the balls of your feet, NOT leaning forward, and using of all the muscles of your legs. Why? Leaning forward flat on your feet will burn out your thighs and cause shin splints. Slightly leaning backwards while on the balls of your feet will cause your glutes, hamstrings, and calves to assist your thighs. This will result in lasting longer! Using your arms will drive you forward.
Second: This type of exercise is called "anaerobic." This means that this workout isn't intended to build up cardiovascular health. Because you are running uphill, your breathing will be shorter, you'll be taking in less oxygen. As a result, your muscles won't receive as much oxygen rich blood! But, on the plus side, you'll burn more sugar and fat in addition to oxygen. This type of workout is an excellent way to break out of a slump and boost your metabolism (how quickly you burn calories) from a plateau to super fast!
Warning: Because you are working those muscles, lungs, and your heart...this workout is not something you should do everyday. It breaks down a lot of muscle, so it requires rest! After running uphill for more than 20 minutes, you should spend 24 hours resting, consume protein, and stretch sore muscles. Doing this will help your muscles rebuild which means you will avoid injury.
See how this all applies to writing as well?
An intimidating writing project shouldn't be entered into lightly. It will cause more stress and require more of a commitment than those shorter, lower word count projects.
These big projects require more assistance. Like uphill running requires help from just one set of muscles, these writing projects require help from other writers. Without that assistance, the project will become overwhelming and make you want to quit.
I know from experience.
Running is a solo sport, as with writing. It is just you at the computer pouring your heart out into words that you hope will inspire others. We write to be read, after all.
The toughest marathon I ever ran was the Marine Corps Marathon back in 2014. The first 7 miles of that race were uphill. Ouch!! That was one intimidating project!
But because I knew how to run hills, I knew how to train for that race. I trained, rested, and prepared my body (as well as my mind...) and finished that race successfully.
I know this current Work-in-Progress is an uphill climb, but I am fully prepared for it. I pray I get the assistance that I need. I'm hoping to participate in a FREE critique group this summer. Hopefully, I'll be able to get up this hill once and for all. It hasn't been easy.
What about you? How do you get up those hilly projects? What do you do to prepare?
What it all comes down to is to keep going. Pushing through the hard times is what makes completion so satisfying! You can look back, hold up the project, and say, "I did that!"
So, keep writing...keep running...and never give up!
Ever take on a project that just might be more than you had planned? At first, you couldn't wait to work on it, but then you began to realize that there's no way you can complete it.
As a writer, I have been there.
Some projects are simple: A low word count book that follows a "formula" of Act I, II, and III with an uncomplicated conclusion.
Voila!
You're done, get it edited, revise, upload, hit publish and there it is! A completed project.
Other projects, however, require more thought, effort, time, and determination.
UpHill
Running on a flat surface is a piece of cake. As a runner of many marathons, the words "flat course" when describing a race is heaven to us runners. No one enjoys running uphill. it is a challenge, but boy does it take its toll on the body.
Same with some writing projects. They just seem uphill all the way! Why is that?
Research: You've heard the saying, "Write what you know" because that's the easy way to do it. But some projects require some research and that can cause a writer to freeze up. The cognitive dissonance almost paralyzes us! Procrastination wins.
Critique: I have writer friends who are blessed to have a FREE (free as in cost as well as in availability) critique group help them brainstorm a project from beginning to end. I have never had such a blessing. I guess I came into this writing game too late, but it seems all the critique groups are full and not receiving "new patients" at this time! LOL
Bummer. I could really use the help getting through my current project. I may have bitten off more than I can chew! It would help to sit with a writer familiar with the genre I'm writing and provide some pointers. Nothing makes you stop writing faster than when you realize that you may not know what the heck you're writing! But to find a critique group today requires a lot of money: You have to register for a writers conference, pay for airline tickets, and hotel because hardly any conferences are in your neck of the woods, doncha know? And then pay for the critique. Ugh!! I get it, they are professionals who deserve to be paid for their time.
Personal Responsibilities: This hill gets me all the time. I tend to plan so many activities (running, writing, ministry, etc) that I don't have as much time to work on an uphill project. Why do I do this?? Probably because this project is so intimidating that, subconsciously, I don't want to work on it. Making myself busy is the perfect excuse!
But running uphill requires time, effort, and skill. There is a right way and wrong way to do it.
The right way leads to successfully reaching the top and celebrating the success!
The wrong way leads to pain...pain in the lungs, legs, and shins. Not knowing how to run uphill can lead to injury. And nothing ends a running career quite like injury.
As with writing, there is a way to conquer that hill succesfully!
First: running uphill requires that you are up on the balls of your feet, NOT leaning forward, and using of all the muscles of your legs. Why? Leaning forward flat on your feet will burn out your thighs and cause shin splints. Slightly leaning backwards while on the balls of your feet will cause your glutes, hamstrings, and calves to assist your thighs. This will result in lasting longer! Using your arms will drive you forward.
Second: This type of exercise is called "anaerobic." This means that this workout isn't intended to build up cardiovascular health. Because you are running uphill, your breathing will be shorter, you'll be taking in less oxygen. As a result, your muscles won't receive as much oxygen rich blood! But, on the plus side, you'll burn more sugar and fat in addition to oxygen. This type of workout is an excellent way to break out of a slump and boost your metabolism (how quickly you burn calories) from a plateau to super fast!
Warning: Because you are working those muscles, lungs, and your heart...this workout is not something you should do everyday. It breaks down a lot of muscle, so it requires rest! After running uphill for more than 20 minutes, you should spend 24 hours resting, consume protein, and stretch sore muscles. Doing this will help your muscles rebuild which means you will avoid injury.
See how this all applies to writing as well?
An intimidating writing project shouldn't be entered into lightly. It will cause more stress and require more of a commitment than those shorter, lower word count projects.
These big projects require more assistance. Like uphill running requires help from just one set of muscles, these writing projects require help from other writers. Without that assistance, the project will become overwhelming and make you want to quit.
I know from experience.
Running is a solo sport, as with writing. It is just you at the computer pouring your heart out into words that you hope will inspire others. We write to be read, after all.
The toughest marathon I ever ran was the Marine Corps Marathon back in 2014. The first 7 miles of that race were uphill. Ouch!! That was one intimidating project!
But because I knew how to run hills, I knew how to train for that race. I trained, rested, and prepared my body (as well as my mind...) and finished that race successfully.
I know this current Work-in-Progress is an uphill climb, but I am fully prepared for it. I pray I get the assistance that I need. I'm hoping to participate in a FREE critique group this summer. Hopefully, I'll be able to get up this hill once and for all. It hasn't been easy.
What about you? How do you get up those hilly projects? What do you do to prepare?
What it all comes down to is to keep going. Pushing through the hard times is what makes completion so satisfying! You can look back, hold up the project, and say, "I did that!"
So, keep writing...keep running...and never give up!
