Stop by the library and meet your community’s authors! From 1pm to 3:30pm on Saturday, 11/9/24, the DeMott Lane Branch is hosting a fair featuring over 20 local authors. Come browse, buy, and have authors sign copies of their books. Books for children, teens, and adults will be available. No registration is required to attend, but registration for participating authors has closed.
In anticipation of the fair, we reached out to the participating local authors and asked what inspires their writing, and how they overcome writer’s block!
FTPL: What inspires you to write?
Barbara Seidle: Life. Both my non-fiction and fiction writing come from my life. I want to spread a little laughter to others, especially those who are having a hard time. Find Barbara’s book here.
Kelly Turner: I wrote a children’s book about kindness and friendship. Since I am a preschool teacher I am around young learners daily. My students inspired me to write my book from their acts of kindness I witnessed daily. Find Kelly’s book here.
Claire Markette: Reading international articles in the New York Times about people enduring difficult times. Find Claire’s book here.
Barry M. Putt: I was initially inspired to become a writer after reading several stories in fifth grade. The characters and world were so vivid they prompted me to create a series of children’s stories. I submitted them to a publisher and was told that they did not publish stories written by children. I didn’t let that deter me and kept writing. Find Barry’s books here.
Julie C. Gilbert: Many things inspire me to write. It’s fun. It gives me a platform to share my thoughts and worldview. I get to entertain, education, and inspire others. As a high school chemistry teacher, I do get the chance to do those things, but it’s very different than what can be done through a story. Find Julie’s books here.
Ginni Conquest: My love for the 80’s genre of music and my love for singing. I’m able to tap into what those feelings were to perform in front of huge audiences and of course the rehearsals and recordings. I’m able to bring real life experiences to this series. Find Ginni’s books here.
Bryan Terhune: The fun of sharing with friends and family. Find Bryan’s book here.
FTPL: How to overcome writers block?
Victoire Batiste: I visit beautiful places and take lots of pictures. Find Victoire’s books here.
Ginni Conquest: I don’t panic and just step away from what I was trying to do. I love playing with my two adorable Basset Hounds, Jameson and Grayson. I listen to music, 80’s rock of course, or go for a motorcycle ride with the hubby. The book comes to me like a play in my mind. If I don’t think that that scene can play out in real life, I stay away from it. But I know I’ll get back on track at some point and once I get back into it, I can finish up the book fairly quickly. Find Ginni’s books here.
Julie C. Gilbert: I switch gears. I don’t necessarily get writer’s block, but I do get redirected. Right now, school has been harder than in the past. I’ve also been more distracted on weekends because I’m helping out with my two very young nieces.
Since fiction isn’t flowing very well, I’ve stepped up my nonfiction, editing, and audiobook games. There is always plenty to do. For example, I’d consider reviewing raw files for my audiobook as writing work, but it is not writing. Making ads, doing social media things, etc … these are all writing-related stuff that needs to happen but they’re not actual writing. Find Julie’s books here.
Barry M. Putt: When I encounter a challenge in developing a component of a story, I move onto another section. The answer to the challenge always comes to me later. Find Barry’s books here.
Claire Markette: By re-reading and editing the previous chapter I wrote, or by taking a walk. Find Claire’s book here.
Kelly Turner: Take breaks in between writing. Get up, stretch, move around, or maybe even take a few days break to gather your thoughts and start writing again when you are ready. Find Kelly’s book here.
Barbara Seidle: I find that most times, I need to just do the work. Sitting down and writing something, anything, often can get me on the right path. However, spreading out my writing sessions and thinking about my work between times helps me make the most of my writing time. Find Barbara’s book here.
For questions about the Local Author Fair, please leave a comment below or call the reference desk at 732-873-8700 opt. 3. We hope to see you there!
Thanks for reading,
George, FTPL
