Immersing yourself in the world of reading and writing is such a personal pursuit. You go on a journey, learn something new, and sometimes become completely transformed. That’s what happened to me at age 11 when I won a Henry Lawson award for my poem “The Fog.”
“In that moment, a spark ignited, and I would never be the same. Writing became my passion. It would, however, take me more than two decades to finally realise my dream of becoming a published author. That’s the thing about dreams, when they matter to you, nothing can stand in your way, not even the test of time.”
So, what began as a chance meeting at the Griffith Aquatic Centre in the summer of 2014 between two mothers, would set in motion the achievement of a 26-year-old dream for one of them to become a published author. The other, the editor of The Area News in the thriving city of Griffith on the edge of Australia’s Outback, saw potential and made the crucial decision to take a chance on someone they’d just met by giving them their own weekly column. And so, “Ask Sharon” was born, and I became Griffith’s very own agony aunt, providing advice and guidance to readers who sought help with their personal problems and predicaments.
My heartfelt advice to the community touched upon topics many of us wrestle with daily: health and wellbeing, relationships, money, work, parenting, and happiness. Realising the impact my columns were having on the man and woman on the street–who would frequently stop me in Griffith–I felt inspired to turn the collection of columns into a book. Messages from the Heart: 39 Answers to Your Life Questions brought that 26-year-long dream to fruition.
When asked about why people embraced the columns and, subsequently the book, I respond with this:
“In a time where many people appear to be struggling, feeling disillusioned and searching for answers, ‘Messages from the Heart’ offers simple, gentle and practical advice that people can easily apply to improve their state of mind and circumstances. It’s about encouraging people to live up to their potential and to take a positive approach to life.”
These days, as The Book Sherpa, my passion is to help aspiring authors conquer their Everest and write their books. I don’t believe it needs to take a quarter of a century for someone to fulfill their publishing dreams. My advice to anyone who is considering writing a book:
“The first thing I would say is, it’s not for the faint-hearted. The second thing I would say is go for it!”
Speaking about how I coach others to write their books.
The reality is that even though 80% of people want to write a book, the odds are stacked against them. Out of 1000 writers, 30 will finish their books and only six will publish. That’s a lot of unfulfilled dreams.
“Unfortunately, having the desire to write a book is simply not enough because life can be busy. But when you have someone guiding you every step of the way, potential turns into possibility.”
In Messages from the Heart, “Ask Sharon” included weekly hot tips for lifestyle improvement. So, here are my hot tips to help writers.
- Make peace with the fact that the likelihood of getting large blocks of time to write large blocks of words is between slim and zero. Morsels of writing can create a masterpiece.
- A writing style is like a diet–everything in moderation. A cleverly used em dash, suspension point, or alliteration can take the rhythm of a sentence to a whole other level…just don’t overindulge.
- It’s something we all must learn to deal with at some stage in life, but for writers, it’s a prerequisite for the journey.
- Go with the flow. When you’re in the flow and you’re feeling enthused, eager and exhilarated about writing, you’ve just got to go for it. That’s pure, unadulterated content (unless you’re E.L. James) rising from deep within your soul.
As part of Eurobodalla Shire Council’s Saturday Sessions at The Bas, I am hosting a writing workshop on 14 October from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m. in Moruya.
Whether you’re a seasoned writer or just starting out, “Conquer Your Everest and Write Your Book” will be an interactive workshop that teaches you how to harness your creativity, develop your writing skills, and stay motivated. Even if you don’t consider yourself a writer but are thinking of writing something someday, you will come away with useful advice and practical writing tips. The cost is $120 per person and bookings can be made at Eventbrite. Places are limited.
If you’re looking to join a writing group in the Eurobodalla area, the Eurobodalla-Fellowship of Australian Writers (Euro-FAW), known locally as the Eurobodalla Writers Group (EWG) has two groups that meet monthly. A night group meets in a private venue from 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. on the first Monday of the month. A day group meets from 10:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on the first Wednesday of every month at the Red Door Hall in Page Street, Moruya. Annual membership to the Eurobodalla-Fellowship of Australian Writers is $45. For two complimentary visits or to join, contact: https://eurobodallawriters.org/contact-us
