Everyone Has A Story To Tell...Get Started

Every time I get an Instant message or an email the first thing the person writes is, "Felisha, I have a story to tell, will you help me write it?". The second most popular question is, "How do you start writing your own book?" and third; "How did you get published?"

Well I am going to answer this question based upon my own experience. If you have a story to tell your best thing is to start writing it. It is much easier than you think. I know you have told at least one long, fabricated white lie. You went on and on in great detail about what you did or how it went down. Maybe you were suppose to do a favor for a friend that you dreaded and knew from the beginning that you were not going to do it. You might have sat back in that reclining chair or even laid across your bed, starring at the ceiling thinking of 101 lies 202 reasons 303 ways to finagle your way out of doing it and you got nothing so you keep thinking and bingo...you start from the beginning. "You know, I think I am going to have to postpone that favor of yours, something came up." When they ask what you begin with this descriptive story about having to meet your mother's friend.....lies on top of lies come out. You're beginning to like the story yourself. There is it in a nutshell. The story should naturally fall out. First you say okay what am I going to write about. On your handy dandy notebook you start jotting the place, time and plot; what you want to write about. You may want to talk your plot out, alone or with a friend. I love doing this in a writers group. You can find an online writers group or build one yourself. The next step is the step I love the most; building your characters. This is an example of my main character.

Chase Pryze
Half Jamaican half African American was raised in Washington Heights in New York, by drug addicted parents, embraces the streets because it was the only thing that showed him love, gave him power. As a child Chase learned that he had a brother that was taken from their family at birth just as he was. Chase was returned to his mother but his brother was given a chance at a better life…so he thought. Through his reputation for being a thorough bred in the streets Chase was given a shot at being a major street player by a respected and feared Colombian Cartel. He went from runner to their major drug transporter. But one day his life takes a turn. A buy goes bad and one of the head team players on the cartel’s son gets shot and put into a vegetated state. With no where to turn he goes in hiding and meets an old friend of his father.

You may want to go into detail about his looks, personality etc. (be as descriptive as possible) bring your character to life. Then build off of him. The frist charcter built should be the main character.

I am always truthful answering people on how I started writing my first published book. I tell them:

I never intended to write the book Eyes On the Pryze to be considered for publishing I just wanted to finish something I started. I was on summer break from college and bored out of my mind. I wasn't working at the time because I was pending disability; I am narcoleptic. I had so much time on my hand I was doing nothing but sleeping, so I started writing. I started out plotting and planning with my girlfriend. I had the synopsis of what the story was going to be about; at least the beginning and middle so I started writing. I created my characters as I wrote. I wrote for a few hours nonstop. When I rested my girlfriend got on the computer behind me and read my work. She said, "OMG! You need to keep going." I went for it. I sat back and created his brother Caine and gave it a twist and made him a twin....a twin separated at birth. now the plot thickens. as I wrote other characters developed and I added them to the list of character synopsis'. In little as 62 days Eyes on the Pryze was penned. I couldn't believe I finished something. I let a few friends read it and they fully enjoyed it and cheered me on convincing me that I should send it out to publishers to see what happens. I agreed. At this time I hadn't a clue on how to get a book published so I went into a book store and wrote down two publishers. Third Eye Publishing and Belletristic Press; both small press publishers. Their websites were listed on the back of the books and I visited the sites and then followed their submission guidelines. Send in a few chapters with a SASE. I said, "SASE?" (pronounced Sace) what is that?" I googled it and bingo there it was; SASE=self addressed stamped envelope. So I did what was asked; font size 12. double spaced and the correct heading, numbered paged...etc. (great writers resource info on www.aalbc.com)There was a 6 week wait. In 4 weeks I got a reply from Belletristic Press. They wanted the rest of my manuscript I couldn't believe it. From there it was on and poppin'. That kind of sums up two and three.

I have always believed that through God anything was possible and like always he proves it. It may seem like I made it seem easy as pie and forgive me for my BIG ego but it really went that way for me. If you do get denied keep going. REVISE REVSIE REVISE! See my next blog about what to look for when polishing up your manuscript after completion.

MUAH! People...stay blessed and be encouraged!

Feel free to email me at eyesonthepryze@yahoo.comor add me to your Facebook. I am under Felisha Bradshaw. When you get the chance google me baby!

Read all about Eyes on the Pryze on www.delphinepublications.com You can even get a sneak peek on my FB page. Until next time...write write write!

Chase Pryze was taken from his parents at birth along with his sibling. His mother did the minimal but necessary things to get him back but as for his brother he was lucky enough to get into foster care.

Chase knew very well what growing up with addicts for parents was like. Raising himself and getting what he needed was like a sixth sense. The streets of WashingtonHeights in New York taught him one thing as a child...your word and your swagger was all a man had that no one else could take from you.

Chase grew into an adult before he turned into a young teen. The street had made him hard and hungry for the grind. He knew the only way he was ever going to get anything was to take the easy route. He was tired of going to bed with an empty stomach and a fist full of nothing. Now was his time to shine.

Chase figured if he hung around the Bodega down the street from his building that the Columbian would notice that he had what it took to be down. He fought his way into the game. Every now and then one of the local neighborhood bullies would test him. The first time he ever put up his fists was to a young Jamaican hustler that gave him a scar on this cheek that went from one ear to the other. From that day on he had never lost a fight or slept another man’s ability to catch you slipping. He bought himself a ratchet knife and learned to use it quicker and faster than a western gun man reaching his pistol. It became his mark.

One day he got what he wished for...recognition for being a soldier...a beast in the streets. His street creds gave him his first shot at becoming a major player in the Columbian drug game. He went from Runner to selling packs to Transporter over night for the local Columbian Cartel. Chase had stepped into the big leagues. The amount of trust they put in him was the highest someone could get without being family.

But Chase would soon learn the cost in not being Columbian when you caused the Cartel to loose money or a even worse...a family member.

Will being on the run serve as a plus for Chase or will the tables be turned when he leaves the Streets of New York to reign in the streets of Bridgeport, Connecticut?

Eyes on the Pryze will take you on a journey of how lies, greed and deceit could live in your camp amongst the trusted. How one man’s trust could cause you to loose everything you had...even a life.