The Storyteller

By Sharron Cosby

I had a slumber party when I was ten or eleven years old. For our bedtime entertainment, we gathered around my daddy on blankets and pillows in our darkened playroom. He wove his tale, drawing us in like a bass on a hook. All of a sudden he yelled, “Boo!” Girls were screaming and crying and pulling blankets over their heads. Daddy smiled and said, “Gotcha.”

Years later at his funeral, one of those girls reminded me of the slumber party and the scary story Daddy told, one she would never forget. He was a master at surprise endings.

Storytelling encompasses basic elements that, when artfully crafted, take the reader on a journey to unexplored lands, universes, or perhaps deep within themselves. Listed here are the core components of a story:

·       Plot or main story. What’s happening?

·       Characters. The characters bring the plot to life through their words, actions, thoughts.

·       Conflict. The driving force of the story.

·       Setting. Where does the story take place? How does it impact the characters? The story?

·       Resolution. The big red bow that ties the loose ends together.

Writers are storytellers. Some are better at it than others. Their words flow effortlessly across a page. Descriptions, dialogue, and pacing are second nature to these gifted ones. Complex story lines create page-turning books that fly off bookstore shelves. For others, that’s not the case; it’s a challenge.

If you fall into the second category, as I do, there’s hope for us. Resources abound to provide the how to’s of story, to hone our craft. Writer’s conferences are available at varying costs throughout the nation and it’s at conferences where we gain invaluable information and make invaluable contacts. We meet other writers who share our struggles with point of view, pacing, or dialogue. During a meal or late-night gab session, we talk through problems and come away with tips to jump the hurdles. We meet editors, publishers and agents who can, and do, provide methods for improving our stories.

Conferences may not fit the family budget, but there are many books on the craft of storytelling that do. Avail yourself of the wisdom and knowledge of great writers and teachers such as Cec Murphy, Robert Benson, and Steven James. These men share their years of experience of fine-tuning their God-given abilities with other writers through their books and speaking engagements. I met all three at writer’s conferences.

Whether you’re a natural storyteller or one who struggles, the key is to tell your story. Stories matter. Stories change lives…and that’s what matters.

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An Alabama transplant to Florida, Sharron Cosby stays true to her southern roots with a “Hey, y’all and Roll Tide Roll.” Encouraging mothers who feel hopeless is an honor Sharron doesn’t take lightly. She understands those feelings and is quick to give a hug and encouraging word. Although her writings and presentations focus on addiction and the hope of recovery, she’s quick to add she can talk about something else. Her 90-day devotional, Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90 is a source of hope for hopeless families. Sharron has been married to her forever boyfriend for over forty years. They have three children and six grandchildren. During the hard years of her son’s addiction, Sharron often longed for a cave in which to hide. Dan and Sharron recently purchased a “cave on wheels” and plan to explore the country one campground at a time. She is available to speak at retreats, conferences, civic groups, and businesses and can be contacted at SharronCosby@gmail.com. Follow Sharron on www.SharronCosby.com, Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SharronCosbyAuthor/ and Twitter at @SharronCosby.

Late Bloomers

By Sharron Cosby

Christmas cacti bloom at Christmas. Well, maybe.

I inherited a Christmas cactus two years ago. My track record with live plants isn’t exactly stellar, so my expectations of an abundance of brilliant blooms was low.   

I was right. The holiday came and went. Nothing. But the plant remained alive and green; I was thankful it survived me.

Another Christmas passed. No blooms. No surprise. Then, in February, I went into my home office and, to my astonishment, the Christmas cactus was blooming. Gently touching the blossoms I cooed to her, “You’re a late bloomer. It’s okay, so am I.”

My dream of a writing career didn’t get off the ground until 2009. At age fifty-six. Life and its various distractions derailed my long-held aspirations, and the idea of writing a book or a devotional or anything else seemed farfetched, unachievable.

A friend invited me to a Word Weavers critique group and, on a whim, I accepted the invitation. This band of wordsmiths had a hand in changing my life. They rearranged words and sentences, suggested different opening lines and all sorts of word polishes. With their encouragement, I hit the SEND button.

The first piece I submitted was accepted by Chicken Soup for the Soul. The War Cry magazine printed one of my articles. There have been other submissions and publications since those first two. I wrote a 90-day devotional book for families with an addict in their midst. Each one adds to my publication bouquet and encourages me to continue pursuing my dream.

Are you a late bloomer? Do you think you’re too old to write, draw, take pictures, or any host of pursuits or hobbies? Does fear of failure nail your feet to the floor? Do naysayers tell you it’s a midlife crisis that will pass?

There are steps us late bloomers can take to end well—and satisfied— most likely pursuing passions tamped down by jobs and careers that provided for our families but not for our souls.

·       Ask God for direction and blessing on the new endeavors. 

      

         Link up with likeminded folks: critique group, art class, dance class, sewing class, etc. If you live in an area without face-to-face meetings, there are online groups that will help develop your skills. Opportunities abound, search for them.

·      

        Volunteer to write for free. I wrote several articles about our church for a local newspaper. The church received exposure, and I got writing credits for my portfolio.

·     

       Attend writer’s conferences. Take notes. Meet editors and agents. Make new friends. Network. Submit proposals and query letters to the editors and agents who asked for them. Attend another conference and another.

Late bloomers have much to offer the world. Who cares if we have silver hair or no hair?

We learn. We try. We succeed.

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An Alabama transplant to Florida, Sharron Cosby stays true to her southern roots with a “Hey, y’all and Roll Tide Roll.” Encouraging mothers who feel hopeless is an honor Sharron doesn’t take lightly. Her writings and presentations are often recovery related as she shares her family’s journey with her addict son, although she’s quick to add, she can talk about something besides recovery. Her 90-day devotional, Praying for Your Addicted Loved One: 90 in 90 tells their story in devotional format. Sharron has been married to her forever boyfriend for forty-one years. They have three children and six grandchildren. Dan and Sharron recently purchased a “cave on wheels” and plan to explore the country one campfire at a time.