Writing Your Life Author Updates
Duayne Whitehurst and Sandy Mayton– Writing Your Life’s science-fiction authors finish manuscript
I spent Monday, September 23, in a coaching session for entrepreneurs in Franklin, Tennessee, twenty minutes outside of Nashville. Mid-morning, I asked my tablemates, “Do you feel nervous being here? I feel like a small fish in a really big pond.” Leaders of multi-million-dollar corporations surrounded us.
Ted responded, “Yeah. I feel like a turtle on top of a fencepost. How the heck did I get here?” We laughed and went on to have a great day, learning many new ways to improve our businesses.
I tell that story because I feel similar about a science fiction editing project Writing Your Life recently completed for Duayne Whitehurst and Sandy Mayton. Whoa! Science fiction is well outside of Writing Your Life’s wheelhouse.
I met Sandy and Duayne at a Florida Authors and Publishers Association event where I spoke, and they asked about copyediting the second book in their second book IZ – The Saga: CREATION. I figured: Copyediting is copyediting. Why not?
Once the Writing Your Life team dove into the project, we realized we could do much more to help Duyane and Sandy tell the story of their adorable, little creature named Izzy. The Writing Your Life team spent many enjoyable hours finetuning Creation and preparing it for submission to an annual sci-fi competition.
Thank you so much, Duyane and Sandy, for entrusting your beloved Izzy story to us. Fingers crossed about the competition!
Duayne Whitehurst and Sandy Mayton
Becky McGregor published in Reminisce magazine
I wanted to share some good news. I wrote a short story for a magazine called Reminisce about my dad playing Smokey the Bear when I was young. They accepted my story and printed it in the September issue.
I ran over to my parents’ house and shared it with them. My Dad laughed and said it was about time he received praise for his Smokey the Bear performance.
It was such a validation to have a story I wrote published. Thank you for giving me the confidence to submit a story to them.
– Becky McGregor
Becky tells the story of when her mom volunteered her dad to dress up as Smokey the Bear for the nursery school’s 1965 Arbor Day festival.
The head of the costume was so gigantic her dad had to lie in the back of their station wagon and ride with his head sticking out of the rear window, garnering lots of honks and waves. The warm Florida day caused Becky’s dad to sweat profusely in the thick furry costume.
Plus, Becky’s little sister was terrified of the giant bear until she saw it was their dad in the costume.
Congratulations, Becky, for having your story published! Well done.
New Shipment of Five-Year Journals
They’re still flying off the shelves!
A new shipment of Five-Year Journals—328 sent to Orlando, 1665 sent to Amazon—arrived yesterday from the printer to replenish our exhausted stock.
Here is my husband Bob posing with our 328 new journals!
The holidays will be here before you know it. Order a freshly minted Five-Year Journal for yourself, a special family member, or friend today!
Let's Try This Again!
Scenes Online Workshop Do-Over
Thank you to the enthusiastic participants who joined us for our online workshop Scenes—Building Blocks to a Great Story on Tuesday, October 1.
Unfortunately, we experienced technical difficulties that interrupted the workshop for some participants. We are so sorry this happened and want to make it up to you.
We will re-offer this live, online workshop to those who already registered, as well as anyone who missed it and would like to attend this time.
If you are new, click the button on the right to register.
The Enrichment Academy Learn & Grow Expo
Amanda and I attended the Enrichment Academy’s Learn & Grow Expo on Thursday, September 12 in The Villages. We had a great time seeing longtime friends and making new ones while promoting our October classes, Write Your Life and Life Story Writers Studio. Classes are filling quickly, so sign up now!
Note: this and all Enrichment Academy classes are open to residents and non-residents of The Villages.
Congratulations to our September writing prompt winner!
Pam Ogles will receive lifetime access to a Writing Your Life Online Coaching Video of her choice. Thanks, Pam, for posting responses to our writing prompts this month!
Writing Your Life's Author Showcase
November 9, 2019
Join us in celebrating Writing Your Life published authors and learn what it takes for you to become a published author too!
All are invited and welcome to attend.
Each author will share their experience in birthing a book and how doing so has impacted his/her life. Bring questions you’ve always wanted to ask about writing, editing, and publishing and learn what may be a good next step for you.
It is our hope this event will allow many longtime Writing Your Life class members to reunite as well as give you the opportunity to meet and receive a word of encouragement from fellow authors.
Light refreshments and non-alcoholic beverages will be served.
Saturday, November 9, 2019
2:00—5:00 p.m.
Fairview Vista Clubhouse, Orlando, Florida
