Career
author and writing instructor, Norma Jean Lutz is the author of over 50
published books under her own name, in addition to scores of ghostwritten
works. Prior to the books, she saw
over two-hundred magazine articles and short stories appear under her byline.
Most
recently Norma Jean has launched a program for aspiring novelists called, Be
A Novelist. Making
use of all the Internet has to offer, the program includes website, informational blogsite, Twitter, FaceBook, and instructional videos. Through the Be A Novelist program, she hopes to be a positive influencer
in the lives of up-and-coming authors.
To
receive a free 15-page writer’s workshop entitled, Don’t Dilly Dally at
the Starting Gate: How to Start Your Novel With a Bang, simply go to the website
or FaceBook
and request it.
Influencers
Marjorie Holmes
Marjorie Holmes first influenced my writing life
when I got my hands on her book entitled, Writing the Creative Article, published
by The Writer, Inc. By the time I was introduced to this little classic, it was
already in its third printing.
In
the introduction to this book, she mentioned other previous books and noted,
“At this writing, the hardcover trade sales of my books are well over two
million copies.” I was dutifully impressed.
But
back to the book on writing creative articles. From this little book I learned:
·
about writing in sensory terms
·
about developing an inner ear for rhythm
·
about how to develop style and what writing style really
is
·
about tone, focus, and pace
·
about how to use fiction techniques in non-fiction
writing
·
and on and on!
The book quickly became
marked-up and dog-earred.
I’m Terrified
Fast forward
a few years. I am now coordinator for the Professionalism in Writing School, an
annual writer’s conference held in Tulsa. Who do I want to invite as keynote
speaker for one of our first schools?
Of course. Marjorie Holmes.
I invited;
she responded. I am now terrified. By now I’d also read other of her works –
especially her YA fiction, the genre in which I was most interested. I am not
only impressed with this author, I am in total awe of her. I’m sure I’ll look
like a country bumpkin to her. I’m excited she is coming; I can’t bear to meet
her. (Ever feel like that?)
Long-Lost Friends
When I met
her at the airport she came toward me calling out my name as though we were
long-lost, now-reunited, dear friends. She nearly bowled me over with her
openness and friendliness. At that time, as a widow, she’d only recently
married Dr. George Schmieler, a gregarious old-timey general practitioner who
loved everyone and was never without a funny story. The two of them were a
hoot.
At that
time, Marjorie was 74 years-old and acted younger than 50. (At that time I was
mom to two teenagers. I knew I wanted to be just like Marjorie when I grew
up.)
I later read a book of hers on health and nutrition which also
influenced my writing life.
Everyone at
the conference loved Marjorie and George and I was hero of the day for having
invited her (them).
From that
time on, I was a friend of Marjorie’s. That
meant Christmas cards, signed books in the mail, mentions when my books were
eventually published. Much later, Christmas cards came from her loving daughter
because Marjorie was then bedfast and suffering from dementia.
The Book that Never Dies
As an added
note, the aforementioned book later appeared in an updated version, Writing
the Creative Article Today, again published
by The Writer, Inc. Still more years later it was again re-written and updated,
entitled, Writing Articles From the Heart, published by Writer’s Digest Books.
I have
copies of all three, but it’s the first one – the one I cherish because of the
moments of discovery – that is the most tattered, marked and worn. The first
two copies are autographed by Marjorie in her lovely swirling script – always
in green ink. (Her trademark!) Marjorie
passed away in 2002 at age 91.
Other Influencers
I could make
a list of others – authors, editors, and those in the publishing industry – who
through the years have been influencers in
my writing career. All so giving
and humble. So ready to give. To extend a helping hand. To give an encouraging
word. All of them contributed to what and who I am today.
Great guest post, Norma Jean. BTW, I highly recommend your free writer's workshop guide, Don’t Dilly Dally at
ReplyDeletethe Starting Gate: How to Start Your Novel With a Bang.
Norma Jean: You and the Professionalism in Writing School were an influencer for me. Thanks you. Eugene
ReplyDeleteEugene,
ReplyDeleteThanks for acknowledging Norma Jean's role in your writing life. I visited your blog and it's very well written. Like you, I'm thankful she took the time to share her ideas with bistro visitors. And thanks for visiting the bistro.