What do you call someone who has authored seventeen books on writing; is dubbed America’s writing coach; serves as senior scholar at The Poynter Institute, a school for journalists; falls in love with language all over every day; spends an hour dissecting a six-word sentence; and plays keyboard and sings most any song on demand, even Tina Turner? I call him Roy Peter Clark.
As soon as I heard Roy Peter Clark was speaking at the Orange County Public Library’s Book Festival last month, I put it on my calendar and made plans to attend. His books are ones I return to repeatedly for writing advice.
As soon as I heard Roy Peter Clark was speaking at the Orange County Public Library’s Book Festival last month, I put it on my calendar and made plans to attend. His books are ones I return to repeatedly for writing advice.
In the early years of marriage, Danny “Del” Placides and his wife always thought their children and grandchildren might one day appreciate knowing more about what it was like for the two of them as they grew up. Initially the St. Cloud, Florida couple toyed with the idea of making audio recordings, as neither of them believing they had the skills to actually write a book.
Then, as fate would have it, they were introduced to Patricia Charpentier and the Writing Your Life classes that were offered at Orlando's Mark Street Senior Center over ten years ago. The nine-week classes each culminated with participants reading completed stories to the rest of the class and other guests.
I met Patricia several years ago through a mutual friend. At the time, I had no idea that she was a published author or had this amazing business publishing people’s life stories and coaching others in their writing endeavors. As soon as I found out, however, I thought to myself, “Wow, how do I get in on that?" More on that in a moment.
I do not ever remember a time that I didn’t love to read or write. I have always been fascinated by words and stories. I am quite fond of that internal narration that never ceases. If you're a writer, too, you know exactly what I mean.
Imagine walking by a bookstore and seeing your book in the window. It can happen. It did to Captain John B. Mitchell Jr. USN (Ret.).
Then, imagine yourself standing before a group of people who hang on to every word as you tell them about your amazing life and how you went about writing your book. That can happen too!
And it’s going to happen to Captain Mitchell on Tuesday, May 15 at 7:00 p.m. at The Bookmark, 220 First Street in Neptune Beach, Florida. If you live anywhere near Neptune Beach, I encourage you to drop in and hear the story of Captain Mitchell’s seven deployments and pick up a copy of his book.