Featured Author Oct/Nov 2015 Emma Shade

A Well-Written Autobiography (from creativewriting-prompts.com)

AutoBiography Format  (from creativewriting-prompts.com)

 

1. Title .Write your title or your prospective title in underlined bold font across the top of your word processing document. Remember that you can come back and refine or change your title at any time, the perfect title will probably only surface at the end of the writing  process.

 

2. Dedication. You might have already decided who you would like to dedicate your work to before you start. Someone who has inspired you to become who you are today, maybe someone who has encouraged you to take the initiative or simply a special person that you would like to mention who has made a significant impact on your life. It is best to leave the dedication until last as working through your autobiography will trigger many memories; you can include a dedication to more than one person.

 

3. Table of Contents. Finished writing? Compile your table of contents and index.

 

4. Acknowledgements. This is the place to thank everyone who has helped you compile your autobiography from start to finish. Keep a simple list as you work through the various chapters so that you don’t forget to mention anyone. Come back and wrap it up when you are finished to show your gratitude and appreciation in a few carefully crafted words.

 

5. Foreword. The foreword is the place to jot down your reasons for writing the autobiography; what you hope to achieve from it and what you hope others will benefit by reading it. It is a good idea to write down some brief thoughts in this section before you start to help keep you focused throughout the writing process.

 

6. Introduction. Your introduction needs to grab attention, create interest and keep them  reading.

 

7. Body. Create a series of chronological headings and sub headings in your autobiography outline. Write the autobiography based on locations if you have been stationed at many different places throughout your life. Write about one specific event that has been the turning point in your life. Use other common threads to link your body together in an interesting fashion. Include one or two relevant subheadings under each point. Expand your list with all the relevant material you can remember under each section, include names, dates, experiences etc.

 

8. Conclusion. Your final thoughts. Look back on your completed works, think about what you have learnt from the experience and how it has molded and shaped you. Tie it together in an interesting fashion to provide the perfect ending.

 

9. Memorabilia. To round off a perfect autobiography and highlight special moments include some memorabilia such as pictures of family heirlooms, medals, letters, photos etc. that  capture special moments. Snippets of memorabilia can also be spread throughout the book  to add some colour and interest.

 

10. Index. Finished writing? Compile your table of contents and index.

 

Pen It! Magazine Fall Issue

As I near completion of the September/October Issue of Pen It! Magazine, I am looking for submissions from you, readers.  I'd like to have some poetry, short stories, articles, etc.  The theme, of course, is Fall or Halloween. 

This issue's Featured Author is Emma Shade.  Emma has five published books and has been a featured author at many local events. 

Here is a great poem from Deb Bowden of Nashville, Indiana:

Autumn

By Deb Bowden

Fall’s coming soon;

I tasted it today.

Sign in Libra,

October’s ways.

Magic and mystery

Steeped in with age.

Child’s world, old stage,

All joined in play.

Pumpkins all growed;

Harvest time set.

Crisp smell of apples,

Bobbin’ and wet.

Loved to be warmed;

Tummies all fed.

Soon to be nighttime,

Ghost stories in bed.

 

Our Miles With Miles by Terry Trautman

Our Miles With Miles by Terry Trautman

 

Those of you who have read my offerings in Pen It! know that I often write of experiences on the many miles of our travels whether by car, air or ship.  This too is about our  journey with miles or more correctly, Miles.   You see, Miles was our beloved golden retriever.

 She was a very sweet, mild mannered, friendly (unless you asked a squirrel) and lovable companion to have around the house.  Her favorite pastime was leading us around on the people trail in Columbus on her twice daily required (by her) walks.  We would refer to these treks as aromatherapy.  You just wondered what was going on in her mind as she sniffed her way along the trail.  “Oh, yes, that’s Brutus, but he peed a hundred feet further north yesterday.”  “Hmmmm, I missed that squirrel by only a few minutes.”  “Don’t   worry, Terry and Linda, I’m eating grass because I like it.  My stomach feels just fine.”  “Here come some strangers.  Gotta get the tail started.” 

Miles was an integral part of our lives for fourteen years.  In that time she developed some very reliable habits.  I never figured this out because the door to our pantry does not squeak or make any sound when opened.  Miles could be literally snoring and oblivious to life around her until one of us opened that door.  Zoom.  There’s Miles.  Further, she was never asleep nor more alert at our meals.  Those big brown eyes and doleful brows looked right through you with very high expectations of instant gratification for some juicy morsel that tasted soooo much better than the dry crappy stuff of her normal fare.  This is not unique with her but when seated, if your hand is hanging over the arm of the chair she invariably walked under it expecting, almost demanding a good scratch.

Miles had another talent.  She liked to write.  For years, she was the author of our annual Christmas letter and became very popular to the recipients of them.  The evidence of this was never more apparent when one year I decided to give her a sabbatical and substitute for her.  Big mistake.  The outcry was instant and clamorous.  She also wrote a nice letter to the pet dog of the people who bought our prior home.  She was quite envious that they had erected a protective fence for Sadie instead of the shock collar she wore.

But time began to take its toll, so slower of gait and deaf of ear (a blessing because she could no longer hear the doorbell), we began to notice the inevitable deterioration in her long  life.  Sadly, on March 28, 2013 we bid Miles a bittersweet adieu as we sent her to doggy heaven:

 

                                                We saw the road was getting tough

                                                 And the hills were hard to climb

                                                  So he closed your weary eyelids

                                                 And whispered “peace be thine”

 

                                                  It broke our hearts to lose you

                                                    But you never went alone

                                                 For part of us went with you

                                                 The day God called you home.

 

 

 

 

Terry Trautman is a native of Columbus, IN, graduated from Columbus High School in 1956 and Valparaiso University in 1960 with a business and accounting degree.  In 1971 he graduated from the Kelly School of Business at Indiana University with an MBA in Business Administration.  His career path included Irwin Management Co., Cummins Engine Co. and U.S. Bancorp where he served in various financial management positions.

 He is blissfully retired and enjoys an active life currently as Treasurer of the Columbus Indiana Philharmonic and First Lutheran Church both in Columbus.  He and his wife, Linda, sing in both choirs.  His hobbies include photography, scale modeling, traveling, reading, painting and drawing, a love/hate relationship with the game of golf and, more recently, writing.  He is the author of “My Columbus was Different from Yours”, a collection stories about growing up in Columbus, IN in the late 40s and early 50s.

 

 

New Releases:

The Mini Guides to Writing:  Creative Writing Basics was just released by Debi Stanton.  This is the first in a series of small handbooks that can be carried with you.  This series is dedicated to helping writers hone their craft.

It is available on Amazon.com for $2.99 for E-Book and $6.99 for Print version.  Order your copy today.  Look for Writing Dialogue to be released in August or early September.

http://www.amazon.com/Mini-Guides-Writing-Creative-Basics/dp/1516885252/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439811326&sr=8-1&keywords=debi+Stanton

 

Shane O'Carroll is a talented artist who suddenly falls into a deep paranoia.  Her family and her doctor, Dr. Greg Callahan fear she may never pull out of this.  Dr. Callahan dedicates himself to finding out what has brought Shane to this crossroads in her life. 

The White Sofa from Debi Stanton is available in August for only .99 cents on Amazon.com as an Ebook.  Print version is $7.99.  Pick up your copy today. 

You may contact Debi Stanton at debih7606@frontier.com

Rain Drop Press

Rain Drop Press is an affiliate of  The Write Source, LLC.  They are seeking writers who wish to get their work into print.  They are taking submissions for their  “Story of the Month” page.  These stories consist of non-fiction and creative non-fiction. 

 Mission:  Rain Drop Press is dedicated to reaching a nationwide audience with human interest original stories that read like fiction.  They also aim to provide authors with a widespread forum to present their work.

They are located in Franklin, Indiana.  You may call 317-441-7726 or drop them an email.

Check out their website at:  http://raindroppress.org/

 

 

 

Heighten Your Senses—Summer’s Here!

Heighten Your Senses - Summer's Here!

   Summer has arrived with the winkling lights of fireflies above fields abundant with tasseled corn and golden wheat. The warm evenings call upon us to run barefoot through lush yards and enjoy the feel of soft grass, damp with dew, against our feet. A stray storm brings the rumble of distant thunder, and the scent of fresh rain is carried to us on a gentle breeze that caresses our face.

     Our picnic table is laden with the bounty of the season, and we can’t wait to savor the flavors of corn on the cob, tomatoes, and home-cooked green beans, a feast to be topped off by delicious homemade ice cream for dessert. Seated around the table are family and friends, accompanied by the spirits of those who have gone before . . .

     The two paragraphs above employ a technique I encourage you to use in order to take your writing to a higher level. It is a simple practice but a powerful one: when writing a scene, use all five senses! Many folks get mired down and write only about what they see, forgetting about the other senses—hearing, touch, taste, and smell. Now, you don’t need to use all five in every scene, but work in as many as comfort allows. Although it may take a while for you to become proficient in writing with all five senses, in due time the skill will become natural, and it will give your readers a richer experience.

     Since I enjoy writing science fiction, you’ll notice I couldn’t resist the temptation in my example above to use the sixth sense!