Tag Archives: books

Stories Can Change Us

Looking to the future, hoping for a harvest

LISTEN:

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Click to learn more.

Something interesting can happen when we turn up old earth in a garden. Plowing a familiar furrow may lead us to encounter, when we’re lucky, something different, perhaps a pretty fragment of an old china plate or glass bottle.

We may worry, when writing, that we are covering old ground. Or, as teachers sharing the same lesson with different classes, we review the same concepts, over and over! However, the repetition itself may, without our realizing it, bring change into our lives. And that can make all the difference.

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How to Write a Blog

We called this boat henge, along the Missouri River–made me smile

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps nonfiction authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Let’s get in touch.

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So, how do you start? Write something. Toss in some photos. Dip your toes into the blogging world. Find a place to put your writing up on the internet. Tell your friends. Blogs are meant to be shared, not kept secret.

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First-time Author’s Musings

Guest post!

Lesia A Alexander is a published author and a poet who brings her unique blend of creativity, spirituality, and storytelling to her writing. As a first-time author, she shares her journey of self-discovery and exploration in her work, reflecting on the human/animal experience and our connection to the natural world. With her debut book and other written works, Lesia inspires readers to cultivate awareness, compassion, and a deeper sense of connection.

Writing a book for the first time is not for the impatient or those wishing for exact and predictable outcomes. One of the common metaphors applied to the process of writing a book is that of carrying and birthing a child. That makes plenty of sense, but I also see that writing a book is like raising a child. No one can prepare you for the process, and you never know how they will turn out. And like raising a child, it’s a massive learning curve.

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Reluctant writers

A boat might help…

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps nonfiction authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Let’s get in touch.

LISTEN:

I was a very reluctant writer. Formal writing requests were unwelcome, since I sensed that critical parent at my shoulder admonishing me. “That’s terrible grammar,” the voice in my imagination scolded. “That’s really stupid, no one will want to read this,” was another message lurking in my brain. Or that motivation-killing script? “You really do not have anything important to say.” Does any of this sound familiar?

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Are you sure you’re not a writer?

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Let’s get in touch.

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Have you ever said, “I can’t write.”? Maybe you have insisted, “I’m not a good writer.” Or, God forbid, someone has told you, “You can’t write.” If this sounds familiar, I have some good news. Writing (and drawing, painting, and so many other creative endeavors) are not gifts. They’re skills that can be improved with practice.

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Being Curious

So much to discover…

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to get in touch.

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You’ve likely heard it before: Follow your passion. It’s often framed as, “Follow your passion and good things will follow,” with the not-too-subtle implication that your passion will result in prosperity. I have always felt skeptical about this, since I’ve witnessed many frustrated folks who “followed their passion” only to discover that what they loved offered no particular value to anyone else.

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Meltdowns and hissy fits

Looking for a light at the end of the tunnel

Want to get the scoop on self-publishing basics? Self-publishing 101

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

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Have you ever made a decision, then wondered why you ever thought it was a good idea? These days I help professionals who want to share in writing their skills and life lessons learned, then turn that writing into a self-published book. There was a time, however, when I needed all the help I could get.

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A word about words

Mountain laurels in early summer

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

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Have you noticed when an author has used lots of different words? Hmmm, maybe you didn’t notice. Most likely it simply sounded interesting, and the writing felt like it moved along at a good pace. Maybe you noticed that the author noticed everything in their path. Say they are walking along a city street. They notice this, then draw your attention to the cracks in the sidewalk. Then they say, “Hey, I just noticed that the traffic is slowing down.”

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Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, MA

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

Overlooking Buzzards Bay, on the Hurricane barrier, with Fort Phoenix, Fairhaven, in the distance

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Where can you go in New England when the weather has handed you a week + of ice laden trails (and sidewalks, and parking lots, and paths to your compost)? For us, we chose to head to the shore, specifically Fairhaven, Massachusetts.

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Filed under Blog posts--Easy Walks

How to start a writing group

Marjorie Turner Hollman helps authors self-publish their books. She is also a disability advocate, sharing information about Easy Walks (not too many roots or rocks, relatively level with firm footing, and something of interest along the way) in open space. Link to all Marjorie’s books.

LISTEN:

Group photo from a recent gathering

You’ve thought of joining a writing group. Maybe someone has told you to join a writing group. Perhaps you have heard about how cut throat writing groups (sometimes called critique groups), can be. You have avoided going to a writing group.

But… that book you read where the author talks about how helpful the members of her writing group have been. Those writing conferences that people rave about (and pay good money to attend.)

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