Ask the Author: Rae A. Stonehouse
Answered Questions (6)
Rae A. Stonehouse
Don’t aspire … perspire! Many people talk about being a writer or an author. As Yoda from Star Wars fame is often quoted “There is no try … there is only do!” If you want to be a writer, write.
Part of being a writer is discovering where your interests are and to start writing about them. I would suggest keeping a journal of subjects that interest you. Software programs such as Snaggit, Evernote and Onenote can be great ways of capturing screen ideas. If a subject captures your interest, perhaps it will be of interest to others. I research topics on-line and create what I call ‘dump files’. They may or may not be of use to me at some time in the future.
Research it and share your new-found knowledge.
Computers and word processing software have made it exceedingly easy to put your thoughts into text. For me, writing isn’t a lineal process. I often start at the end and work backwards when I am writing. I find it to be an iterative process. Every time I sit down to write i.e. type, I save my file with a new date. My text can be tweaked multiple times before it becomes final. I liken creating my self-help books to creating a sculpture. Sculptors are often quoted as saying that they chip away at what doesn’t belong, and the results are what are supposed to be there. I’m paraphrasing of course.
To be able to write effectively, you need to read effectively. Reading can help teach you structure and technique if you analyze the content. Courses or books on effective use of grammar can go along way in making your content come alive. I use a “does it make sense” filter in everything I write. If I don’t understand it myself, what are the odds that my reader will?
I could probably write a book or create a speech on this topic. Perhaps I will! One last comment. As I said if you want to be a writer … write. Write what you learn. Write your thoughts on any subject. If it is worthwhile thinking about, it is likely worth writing about. Save everything you write on your computer or cloud storage. Material that you write once can easily be repurposed or rewritten. Your files can become a valuable resource to you. I keep everything that I have written.
Part of being a writer is discovering where your interests are and to start writing about them. I would suggest keeping a journal of subjects that interest you. Software programs such as Snaggit, Evernote and Onenote can be great ways of capturing screen ideas. If a subject captures your interest, perhaps it will be of interest to others. I research topics on-line and create what I call ‘dump files’. They may or may not be of use to me at some time in the future.
Research it and share your new-found knowledge.
Computers and word processing software have made it exceedingly easy to put your thoughts into text. For me, writing isn’t a lineal process. I often start at the end and work backwards when I am writing. I find it to be an iterative process. Every time I sit down to write i.e. type, I save my file with a new date. My text can be tweaked multiple times before it becomes final. I liken creating my self-help books to creating a sculpture. Sculptors are often quoted as saying that they chip away at what doesn’t belong, and the results are what are supposed to be there. I’m paraphrasing of course.
To be able to write effectively, you need to read effectively. Reading can help teach you structure and technique if you analyze the content. Courses or books on effective use of grammar can go along way in making your content come alive. I use a “does it make sense” filter in everything I write. If I don’t understand it myself, what are the odds that my reader will?
I could probably write a book or create a speech on this topic. Perhaps I will! One last comment. As I said if you want to be a writer … write. Write what you learn. Write your thoughts on any subject. If it is worthwhile thinking about, it is likely worth writing about. Save everything you write on your computer or cloud storage. Material that you write once can easily be repurposed or rewritten. Your files can become a valuable resource to you. I keep everything that I have written.
Rae A. Stonehouse
I have several projects on the go, in various stages of development. My current project is writing a follow-up manual, a companion manual if you will, to my Power Networking for Shy People: Tips & Techniques for Moving from Shy to Sly! Its working title is Shy to Sly: XXXX (xxx to be determined) and focusses on overcoming shyness to become effective in business situations. Through the book I will provide a systematic approach to overcoming your shyness. The book is a work in progress as is my own overcoming shyness. Through it I take the reader on a journey of exploration and skill developing.
I have written a children’s story about a young fellow named Shorty. It chronicles his adventures with his vivid imagination. It is still on the so-called back burner as I have to work on the logistics of having the stories illustrated to add to its effectiveness.
Another project under development is an auto biography, both literally and figuratively. It is a true, yet entertaining story of my experiences with motor vehicles that I have owned. If anything can go wrong .. it has likely already happened to me.
I have written a children’s story about a young fellow named Shorty. It chronicles his adventures with his vivid imagination. It is still on the so-called back burner as I have to work on the logistics of having the stories illustrated to add to its effectiveness.
Another project under development is an auto biography, both literally and figuratively. It is a true, yet entertaining story of my experiences with motor vehicles that I have owned. If anything can go wrong .. it has likely already happened to me.
Rae A. Stonehouse
I’m a very self-driven person. Many of the stories or articles that I have written are inspired by speech projects that I have presented as a Toastmaster member.
As a member of Toastmasters for over 22 years I have delivered hundreds of speeches and presentations and have listened to countless thousands from others. Toastmasters recommends that you write out your speech in advance to facilitate fine-tuning it. Of those hundreds of speeches, I have probably only written out only a few. Most of my speeches are crafted in my head and have never made it to print. That has been my style and it worked for me. Now that I am evolving into an author & speaker, I look back at my project manuals and I see hundreds of speech titles that look interesting to me. I often haven’t a clue what they about though as they aren’t written down. This provides some inspiration for me for future writings.
I’m passionate about sharing knowledge that I myself have learned and subsequently shared with others. I have embraced the concept of CANI (Continuous and Never-Ending Improvement) popularized by the likes of Tony Robbins. I hate not knowing something and even worse not knowing how to do something else that somebody else can do! This drives me to become very experienced, if not close to expert, in many diverse subjects.
I am driven by the creative and explorative process. I describe myself as a journey vs a destination person. I write my books for me. If somebody else loves them … great!
I’m a very self-driven person. Many of the stories or articles that I have written are inspired by speech projects that I have presented as a Toastmaster member.
As a member of Toastmasters for over 22 years I have delivered hundreds of speeches and presentations and have listened to countless thousands from others. Toastmasters recommends that you write out your speech in advance to facilitate fine-tuning it. Of those hundreds of speeches, I have probably only written out only a few. Most of my speeches are crafted in my head and have never made it to print. That has been my style and it worked for me. Now that I am evolving into an author & speaker, I look back at my project manuals and I see hundreds of speech titles that look interesting to me. I often haven’t a clue what they about though as they aren’t written down. This provides some inspiration for me for future writings.
I’m passionate about sharing knowledge that I myself have learned and subsequently shared with others. I have embraced the concept of CANI (Continuous and Never-Ending Improvement) popularized by the likes of Tony Robbins. I hate not knowing something and even worse not knowing how to do something else that somebody else can do! This drives me to become very experienced, if not close to expert, in many diverse subjects.
I am driven by the creative and explorative process. I describe myself as a journey vs a destination person. I write my books for me. If somebody else loves them … great!
Rae A. Stonehouse
Well, the fame and fortune sure motivates me. Actually, I still waiting for both!
Early in life I learned that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Unfortunately, my formative years were wasted in wielding the sword. As a young man I had what would be best described as having a giant chip on my shoulder and would easily take offence to any so-called slight directed towards me. I would write “poisonous” responses, that not only never worked, they made matters worse for me.
This was a long and hard life lesson to learn. I learned in time, that I had a skill at writing and that I could help improve people’s lives if I used the sword for good. The best thing for me as a writer is hearing a reader say “Thanks, Rae, what you wrote resonated with me and it helps.”
Early in life I learned that the pen is indeed mightier than the sword. Unfortunately, my formative years were wasted in wielding the sword. As a young man I had what would be best described as having a giant chip on my shoulder and would easily take offence to any so-called slight directed towards me. I would write “poisonous” responses, that not only never worked, they made matters worse for me.
This was a long and hard life lesson to learn. I learned in time, that I had a skill at writing and that I could help improve people’s lives if I used the sword for good. The best thing for me as a writer is hearing a reader say “Thanks, Rae, what you wrote resonated with me and it helps.”
Rae A. Stonehouse
My writing genre thus far has been self-help manuals. I don’t think I have experienced writers block yet. In researching different topics there is a wealth of information out there. The challenge is in wading through the material, processing it i.e. in my mind, then repackaging it in a way that not only makes sense to others, it is also of value.
Rae A. Stonehouse
My most recent book is The Power of Promotion! On-line Marketing For Toastmasters Club Growth.
I’ve been a Toastmaster member for over 22 years. I am convinced of its value in developing communication & leadership skills. Membership and specifically working the program can lead you in many directions that may lead to career or vocational opportunities. I was the Webmaster for District 21 Toastmasters (British Columbia, Canada) for a few years and did quite a bit of marketing on the website as well as using social media.
I currently own close to 40 internet domains to market and promote different business pursuits I have as well as non-profit organizations that I have lead.
While I have systematically developed my skills in many technological areas, I see a lot of people that are overwhelmed with technology. I saw a natural fit to share what I have learned about social media and web-based marketing.
While the book is targeted towards Toastmasters club leaders tasked with promoting their club and generating visitors into guests, if you take the word Toastmasters out, the content is applicable to any non-profit group that wants to grow their membership.
I’ve been a Toastmaster member for over 22 years. I am convinced of its value in developing communication & leadership skills. Membership and specifically working the program can lead you in many directions that may lead to career or vocational opportunities. I was the Webmaster for District 21 Toastmasters (British Columbia, Canada) for a few years and did quite a bit of marketing on the website as well as using social media.
I currently own close to 40 internet domains to market and promote different business pursuits I have as well as non-profit organizations that I have lead.
While I have systematically developed my skills in many technological areas, I see a lot of people that are overwhelmed with technology. I saw a natural fit to share what I have learned about social media and web-based marketing.
While the book is targeted towards Toastmasters club leaders tasked with promoting their club and generating visitors into guests, if you take the word Toastmasters out, the content is applicable to any non-profit group that wants to grow their membership.
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