The Write Step

"Kourageous Kids Storybooks” -- A most worthy cause!

2012-01-31T17:04:00.000-08:00

"I would be hard pressed to find a better way for my fellow writers to share our talents--writing stories for young cancer patients as the main characters--who overcome any adversary or obstacle--and are the hero of their story! Please see if you can find the time to 'pay it forward' for this most worthy endeavor, my friends." ~ Sincerely, R. Jeffreys

I’m honored to now be a part of, “Kourageous Kids Storybooks” with the founders, Matthew and Danielle Drake. Matthew and Danielle’s mission is to help young people cope with the devastating diagnosis, painful treatments and healing process through personalized stories and poetry written specifically for them. And, those young, brave people are also the hero and main character of that story.

Matthew Drake writes: “My wife and I have been writers for years. Recently, we were approached by a friend whose child was undergoing surgery. The idea was to write him stories to read while he recovered. This idea inspired us. We started Kourageous Kids Storybooks. We learn about each child, then write the story they will star in. They ‘defeat’ the ‘evil’ and ‘save the day,’ in a story perfectly tailored to them. Help us give these brave children stories that depict them as the heroes they truly are.”

Helping Kids Love Life After Cancer

Verna Mitchell has an unusual window on the world of childhood cancer. She’s the nurse practitioner who works with cancer survivors at the Health After Therapy clinic at Lucile Packard Children’s Hospital.

Mitchell’s patients are children, teens and young adults who are at least five years past a cancer diagnosis. As I describe in a new Stanford Medicine magazine story about pediatric cancer survivorship, the HAT clinic helps these young patients grapple with the challenges of survival. The fallout from their cancer treatments can include a variety of physical, emotional and cognitive difficulties. But there’s more, too:

“We tell them that the clinic’s purpose is not just to point out potential late effects,”

Mitchell says. “It’s to say, you have your life, your health. Make the best of it that you can.”

After years of being in battle mode against cancer, this is a significant shift of view for many patients.

Mitchell provides lots of practical support – referrals to specialists who assess cognitive performance or provide psychotherapy, for instance. And yet how does she handle the more nebulous part of her job, fostering hope and helping patients make the shift to valuing their survivorship? At the end of my conversation with her, I asked.

“I tell them that they survived a very catastrophic illness at a young age; they fought for their lives during that time,” Mitchell said. She worked on the front lines of pediatric oncology for 10 years before she began treating survivors, so she has had an up-close view of the fight. As she puts it, “I don’t have to give chemo anymore, but I know what the patients have been through.” After they win the battle, Mitchell said, she tells her patients, “They are true survivors. And when it comes to facing the challenges that life brings them, they are, in general, more mature. They’ve been taught about life, about adversity. They may not have realized at the time that adversity came in a tube and went into their arm, but it’s something these families have learned: that they can survive adversities. It makes them stronger individuals with a lot of character.”

Article by Matthew Drake (c)

2011-09-16T14:04:00.000-07:00

The Write Step with R Jeffreys -- Talk Radio -- Live!
Click to join us Live or to listen and download the show archive

Please join me and my marvelous guest; celebrated, mutil-published romance author, Kellyann Zuzulo. We will be having a lively and sensational talk about incredible adventures with Genies and romance. .

The Write Step with R Jeffreys is a show focused primarily on the lead players in the Arts; with a strong emphasis on professional authors, poets and well known writers.

We will frequently have as our other guests the marvelously talented people who create works of Art in drawing, painting and photography.

Occasionally, we will feature exclusive guests from behind the scenes in Publishing and the Arts. Agents, editors, writing coaches, publishers of both physical and electronic e-book formats, literature and Fine Art teachers will be among some of our very, special featured guests.

Be prepared to hear some of the most recognizable authors and artists of our times speaking about their craft and creations.

You will also have the distinct pleasure to phone in and speak one-on-one with these remarkable guests.

Join published Poet; Essayist; Novelist; Playwright; Editor-in-Chief; featured Blogger; Radio Show Host and Producer, R. Jeffreys ‘Jeff’ for an unforgettable show!

"Stories from a Holiday Heart" short story anthology news!

2011-09-04T09:58:00.000-07:00

Short story anthology release news for my latest book, Stories from a Holiday Heart.

The holidays change us all, in one way or another, sometimes for the better and at times the opposite. I am honored to have some of the finest writers of our modern times included in this book.

These wonderful, short stories will touch the deepest parts of your heart, while transporting you back to your own memories of sharing the emotionally, evocative times that are the Holidays. Stories from a Holiday Heart is scheduled to be released on Valentines Day, 2012 and will be available in both print and e-reader formats.

Ray Bradbury: When The Muse Calls, Always Answer -- Immediately.

2009-06-22T18:35:00.000-07:00

The graciously generous and iconic writer, who continues to be prosaically prolific in his nineties, offered his insight on when the muse calls one to write.

Mr. Bradbury describes it this way:
"When I awaken from a very, vivid dream, I get right out of bed and before I do another thing, I sit down at my typewriter and record that dream. If, I wait for even a moment and put it off -- it's gone forever! Many of my best short story ideas have come from my dreams."

And, like Ray Bradbury, much of my best writing has come from the ethereal realm of my own dreams.

I am eternally grateful to Mr. Bradbury for his inspiring words, incredibly gifted writing and for the kinship I’ve felt in our like-minded writing methodology.

Stephen Coonts: My Five-by-Five, Daily Writing Ritual.

2009-02-08T04:41:00.000-08:00

I want to impart to you an invaluable writing lesson, which many years ago my friend, the NY Times best selling author, Stephen Coonts offered to me.

Mr. Coonts calls it: My five-by-five, daily writing ritual. Steve writes (as I now do) for five concurrent hours, on five consecutive days, during each weekday.

For me, this personal writing contract has become an integral part of my work day and the terms are non-negotiable. All of my friends, family, business associates, etc. know this as fact. They are fully aware that I will not deviate from this routine; except for an emergency, which requires my immediate attention.

As I write full time, those amount of hours spent per day writing may not be doable for the non-professional writer. But, in moderation this discipline to your writing is still applicable, and well within reasonable limits for anyone to accomplish.

My modification on Mr. Coont's advice on writing is that even though you most, likely cannot write for five hours in any given day, do set aside at least one hour (at the same time of day/eve), five days a week.

Before you sign your own personal writing contract, be sure to let everyone you know that this is your writing time. And, that you are not to be disturbed for any reason; excepting of course as in my case as well, an immediate emergency. Believe me, they'll survive without you for ONE hour a day.

And, I trust with that personal commitment to your writing and public affirmation to others, you will be more motivated and dedicated to write. Also, don’t be surprised when you find that you have produced and completed much, more work than you have ever done before.

Good luck to you all in your own writing!

Three Simple Steps to Writing, More:

2009-02-07T03:46:00.000-08:00

1) Write what you would want to read.

First, ask yourself this question. "Would I want to read this?" I know this sounds simplistic, but if you aren't writing about a subject that you care passionately about, there's a good chance that your reader will recognize that fact and not be very interested in reading it either.

2) Write with clarity.

If you aren't familiar with a certain location, culture, time period, etc. that you intend to write about, then do research on it first and write it later.

With that new-found knowledge at-hand, your writing will translate to your reader with more clarity.

3) Write, write and then write some more.

From my experience in working with many writers, what appears to be the biggest impediment for them is they just can't seem to find the time to finish what they have started.

Even, if it's only for one hour every day, find the time to write and then do so! The more you write, the better you will be at it and the more work you'll actually complete.

Any craftsman/craftswoman improves with the act of doing what it is they want to do best. And, so too will you in the craft of writing - simply by following these three simple steps to writing, more.

Keep Writing!

Coffee with, Kerouac

2009-02-07T00:48:00.000-08:00

Many, many years ago at Harvard Square in Boston, Massachusetts, I sat at an outdoor café' drinking coffee with Jack Kerouac. Over our cups, Jack offered to me his succinct and discerning perspective into where he found the visionary words written in his poetry and books. And, on what being a writer of your own experiences truly means to your craft.

The words he wrote elevated and enlightened a generation (and the poetry form, itself) -- as only Jack Kerouac could.

During a brief moment of silence between us, I idly watched the hurried and harried crowd of tourists and Cambridge denizens meandering around us under a setting, summer’s sun.

A thought occurred to me. I averted my attention from the crowd back to our table-for-two and asked, "Jack where did you come up with all that incredible material for On the Road , and the poems you've written over the years?"

Jack sat flatly in his chair while I spoke, staring blankly down into his cup . A sudden melancholy caught me by surprise, as I thought how he appeared so much older than his actual age of forty-five. Seeing him in this weakened physical state, it felt to me as if he had been prematurely aged by the world, which he had chronicled for his generation.

I think Jack sensed my sadness. He averted his sunken and wearied eyes (which still held a dark, piercing stare) from the cup of coffee cradled in his world-worn hands and faced me. Leaning his thin and sagging shoulders forward, he began to speak, and his voice sounded as callused as his hands. But, there was an intense conviction in those words he next spoke to me that projected a vitality and strength, which belied his frail appearance.

Jack said, "Jeff, there's no need to worry about, or even to ask where the hell mine, or for that matter your writing comes from. We can sit here until we’re both bones talking s*it over that subject; it's irrelevant to the real point."

"Here's the thing; all the words, imagery, or whatever you'll ever need are here all around you now." He illustrated his point by gesturing towards the street, and at the people walking by with those leathery hands.

He continued. "Everything you have, or will ever experience, is where your writing will come from. Take what you need from that. And, stop worrying about where anyone else got their words. Think only about what you want to write and then just f**king do it, man!"

A wry smile arose on his face as that intense stare relaxed. He reached over and gently patted my much younger shoulder with one of those callused hands. And, in a commiserative tone he said. "Jeff, you worry too much about how you're going write, be concerned with only what you're already writing. Always ask yourself this question when you sit down to write: am I writing about what I've experienced, or am I just acting like an old, tired mockingbird? Which kind of writer are you gonna be, kiddo?”

Grinning widely now Jack said, “People will come along, read your stuff and then make up their own minds whether they care about it, or not. Just, make sure that you tell 'em what this old world showed you, the way you saw it and you’ll be just fine."

Jack cheerfully raised his nearly empty cup in a celebratory toast, as he sardonically concluded, "And to hell with them all my young friend if they don’t dig your groove!"

And, ever since that day of coffee and conversation with Kerouac, long away from now, I've tried to be the writer he so generously instructed me to be.

I believe that hearing Jack Kerouac's unwavering conviction in what your own truth and words are, has not only helped me to find my own true writer's voice, but made me a better man for it in the process.

My heartfelt gratitude goes out to you Jack, on whatever celestial road you're now traveling!