Quote of the Day: If it weren’t for theater, I wouldn’t be here today. Allen Eskens, author of The Life We Bury and five more novels, and counting, who spoke at our library author event, June 4, 2018. Allen was a terrible student all through his growing up years. He was a daydreamer and a slacker (his words, and the words of his teachers). He didn’t care much for learning…UNTIL an intuitive teacher encouraged him to audition for the school play. He was in the 5th grade. He wasn’t technically old enough, but his teacher saw something in him that he didn’t even know was there. Later, when he was in high school he participated in theater and found his voice and his passion. Although a career in performing arts wasn’t where he ended up, it was the path to success in school, college, law school, and writing novels.
Author Allen Eskens at Brainerd Public Library, June 4, 2018
His first novel, The Life We Bury, has had international success, being translated into multiple languages, and is now in production as a major motion picture. The narrator for the audible book for The Life We Bury won an award for his performance. I can honestly say it is one of the best audio books I’ve ever listened to.
Hearing Allen’s description of his educational struggles and his journey towards becoming a published author was inspirational. His message is for all of us Insecure Writers out there. Keep working and trying until you discover your true voice and passion.
It’s time for another group posting of the Insecure Writer’s Support Group! Time to release our fears to the world – or offer encouragement to those who are feeling neurotic. If you’d like to join us, click on the tab above and sign up. We post the first Wednesday of every month. You can also visit the founder Alex J. Cavanaugh for more info and links.
The question for this month: What’s harder for you to come up with, book titles or character names?
Character names. Titles are easy. In fact, I start with a title. I think I’m good at titles. Editors rarely change them when I write magazine articles. Naming characters is much harder. I think about what fits them, the meaning of their name, does it fit with the time period or place, gender, race, etc. I try to have a variety of sounds, like starting with different letters, not all ending in -ary or -ie, that kind of thing.
I hope you all find inspiration as you pursue your dreams!
Hearing Allen talk about his positive experience in theater affirmed what I do – conduct Youth Theater Workshops in the Brainerd, MN area. It gives students a chance to create something together, to use their imaginations and talents, and it gives them a sense of belonging.
Go. Create. Inspire!
Journaling Prompt: What did you dream of doing when you were younger?
I was stunned when my quiet daughter decided to audition for her middle school play. Now she has participated in three of them plus two more in a summer program and her younger sister has followed in her footsteps. I would have not had the courage to sing and dance in front of my peers at their age, but I love watching them and their cast mates on stage. It is magical. As our family’s love of theater grows, we will take a trip this month to Toronto to see The Phantom of the Opera. Can’t wait!
That is so awesome about your kids and theater. It is the joy of my heart to hear my kids perform. And, The Phantom! One of my favorites.
Me too! I come up with titles so easy, but tell me to name a character and it’s doe in the headlight stare.
Teresa
It’s so hard!
You can title my books for me then.
It is about finding your passion. He just needed that spark. Obviously if he went from slacker to law school!
I know. He’s amazing.
That would’ve been wonderful to hear him speak. He is an inspiration.
Yes!
I’m sure it was an inspiring event. Huge kudos to his teacher for seeing something in him and encouraging his growth!
Thanks, Crystal
I was in a play once in Junior High. I perform great apparently but till this day I do not even remember going on the stage. I remember waiting for my que and then the afterwards off stage, not leaving the stage. I had the lead, I was one of Cinderella’s stepsister and I got Prince Pimple face. It was farce. I knew then it was not for me, but I do live watching it. I wish I had not be so afraid of it. I didn’t even know I was until the night we did it live. I was fine in practice.
Great post. Allen Eskens does sound inspiring.
Hey Juneta, It’s here. I don’t know why it needed approval, but I have it posted, now!
Okay my comment has been eaten twice. I will try again but it is much shorter. Great post.
Juneta, Sorry your comments didn’t post. Thanks for trying three times!!
I’m in your court – great with titles, and I spend a lot of time considering the genesis of the names. Speaking of great titles, The Life We Bury intrigued me enough to pop over and look it up.
It IS a great title. I hope they keep it for the movie.
It’s always amazing and sad to me to think to what extent a teacher can affect a child’s life. Mr. Eskens might never have reached the success he did if that teacher hadn’t seen something in him.
I know. So many teachers make a huge impact on their students.
I’ve always dreamed of being a full-time novelist, but when I was in high school, I was determined to be the next Stephen King. To say reality has fallen far short of that would be the understatement of the year.
It’s frustrating to have a dream that relies so much on others. If I wanted to be a doctor, for instance, I could go to medical school, do my residencies, work my butt off, and become a doctor. But to be a writer, an agent has to find me worthy. Or a publisher. Or the general public has to buy enough of my books so I can manage to eke out an meagre living. It doesn’t matter how brilliant your books are, how many you write, or how hard you work. Sometimes it’s really depressing–not gonna lie.
J.H. I have all the faith in the world that you will be successful as a full-time author. It does suck that our success is so dependent on others, but we do have control over what we do, how we market, the stories we tell, and we keep doing them to the best of our ability. Keep writing, I love your stories!
Allen’s educational struggles remind me of some of my learners with learning challenges.
As a teacher, I just have to hang in there…and provide encouragement.
I always remind my learners that we’re all different and learn at a different pace. That’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Talking about names, I struggle with character names. My characters remain Mrs. B, Mr. X and Miss Y for a very long time.
I read an interesting IWSG post where the author said she researches geography and culture before settling on a name. Another IWSG participant said that a name needs to also be decade-appropriate, which makes sense if one actually wants to find the best possible name for the character.
I also like the ‘sound’ of a name. But as wonderful as a name ‘sounds’, the aural appeal should ideally be secondary to the appropriateness of the name.