Down the biblical rabbit hole I go....

Have you ever worked on a writing project--you know, a simple writing project--and then, found yourself writing something totally different, and complex, within the body of the simple? If you haven't, you're fortunate--if you have--I'm sorry, I feel your pain.

This third bible study has been no easy task. I've spent now, close to 4 weeks studying the 3rd chapter of the epistle of James, in what should have been a relatively easy project. I say that, primarily, because the first two study guides over James, chapters 1 and 2, come out with relative ease. I think this third chapter has spoken to me so much, so intently, that I find myself expanding too far beyond the initial message, drafting, somewhat and somehow, another study entirely within the pages of this very short chapter. I've been stuck on two areas within this chapter's outline--the severity of improper teaching (gulp) and the source of biblical Wisdom. Both of these topics strike to the very heart of me, that when I start drafting questions to help the audience discover the message, I look up to realize I've written days of worth questions that should have lasted one day. I'm in an endless cycle of minimize and fluff--one moment I have the simple, yet profound questions drafted for the final two days of study, only to read over my draft and realize I've written days worth of content. 

So, what's the answer? Another study, no doubt! I think I need a study that focuses on biblical wisdom and Godly understanding. There is so much meat to be taken from this chapter and I'm in my 3rd re-write of the same 18 passages of scripture. That's the life of the student and the teacher, isn't it? 

Thanks and happy studying....

Introducing, READ3Zero!

It is with great pleasure, that I introduce the next movement from Ozuna Publications, in conjunction with my friend Melissa M. Williams of LongTale Publishing...

READ3Zero!

On the homefront...

As many of you know, I am now the online marketing manager for Melissa M. Williams, author of the Iggy the Iguana children's chapter book series and CEO of LongTale Publishing. We have partnered together to create a new program designed to support and conquer illiteracy at home. It is called: READ3Zero. The objective is to help identify and make an outward stance (Tshirts) against or within the fight for literacy. You and your child can commit to reading 30 minutes a day--at home--and wear a TShirt that identifies your family as winners in this fight against childhood illiteracy!

In the community...

READ3Zero will also partner with businesses to help fund literature to title-1 schools, day cares, hospitals, etc. (wherever children are in need) to get books in the hands of our youth. Also, since Melissa and I are creative by nature, we are now accepting short-story submissions for children, grades 3~8, to publish in a short-story anthology as part of READ3Zero entitled: "I Write: Short Stories Written for Kids, by Kids." READ3Zero will publish this anthology to help gain recognition for children with a knack and talent for writing. We are also in the process of compiling submission guidelines for artwork, for the cover of this book. So, if your child isn't one to write, but loves to draw or paint, their artwork may become the cover-art for this first anthology!

If you know a child who is creative and want to help nourish their creative spirit, this is a great opportunity. If you are a business owner, you can purchase books through READ3Zero which will be distributed within your businesses community! The recipients will receive notification [that] your business and staff have helped in the fight against illiteracy!

To learn more about READ3Zero, visit the homepage.

Join the READ3Zero Facebook Group!!!!


Thanks for helping to spread the word!!!

~Bobby Ozuna

LongTale Publishing

Literacy. Creativity. Learning.

"Drawing The Story"--April 24th, 2008

Why I Write...

I write out of necessity; I write out of desire. I write for the sheer joy of creating life on paper and I write because if I ignored the inner voice within my mind, it would drive me mad. And the irony in that truth is to be successful as a writer of fiction, you have to (at moments at least) lose your mind and escape the realities of the world around you in order to draw a story with words about a world that doesn’t necessarily exist, detailing the pains and sufferings and the joys and happiness of the characters we create on paper. You have to answer their call to tell their story.

My writing is so much a part of my everyday life no less than breathing, eating or drinking. Writing however is voluntary and because of that you have to force it—even when it isn’t time—because like taking a breath or eating food or drinking water to survive, to ignore the voices within your mind, you suffocate, starve and dehydrate your creative soul. And when your soul suffers, so too does your body.

Writing is the action that brings me balance and offers me a sense of accomplishment in this world that appears to offer an ounce of joy for every cup of pain. It is the push that will not let me sleep comfortably at night. It’s the whispers that only I can hear—the creak and bending sound of the floor beneath my feet while I pace from corner to corner. It’s the tingle I feel down my neck while I lay safely under the covers and the breathing force I feel hovering over my body that stiffens me and frightens me to the point that I cannot move and somehow feel my soul slip out from beneath me.

Once I open the door to my imagination, and allow the whispers to formulate a history and a plot and ultimately a story—I am forever bound to the characters until I conclude the story. And it is not one moment sooner that the whispers within my mind will cease—and I can once again sleep well at night—at least a while. I get to know them while I am drawing their story and I cannot remember all their names when I am done. Someone may quote my own words and impress me and yet I forget the words are mine. Like a seer in a prophetic trance, I lose myself, giving way to my creativity and when I come to, I am impressed not by my own abilities but by the gift I was given. For in the end the impressiveness of my work is ultimately a reflection of a God-given gift, not of myself, but the calling I was given. I am neither greater than the next person nor lower, but equal with those who have a passion for literature and stories and the creativity of the artists that create our worlds. I am simply a writer.

Writing is my gift; It is part of who I am as a person—part of my soul. It gives purpose to my existence and the journey. Coming to that reality is hard—as many writers will tell you—the uncertainty of when or how I may proclaim myself a writer—casting aside the lack of experience or the literary resume that makes you famous—was the key to understanding my purpose as a writer. Once I did and I found the courage to face the truths about my own artistic abilities and short-comings I then found the strength to face the creativity of my artificial worlds—those I create within my imagination. It is there I find the peace that accompanies the life I was born to live.

…And that is why I write.

"Proud Souls" On Location Video Documentary, Pt 2

I apologize, but due to "size limitations" within Blogger I will be unable to publish my latest edition to the "Proud Souls Video Documentary" (part 2) directly into this blog.
But you can link to it from here...

This is the second video in my documentary, where I take the audience "on location" to the setting in my debut literary novel: Proud Souls.
I was fortunate to meet some great people and somewhere in the midst of these videos...I share insight into how I created the story.

Thanks for the support! I do hope you enjoy the video footage.

For All My Self-Published Author (friends)

To all my fellow (self-published) authors out there...read my latest article on CultureFeast.com: "Networking 101: Getting Back To Basics" where I offer a quick concept to help you develop a reputation, gain credibility with your work and get the book in the hands of the most important people in our lives: READERS!!!

Click here to read the original article on CultureFeast.com.

~Bobby Ozuna author of Proud Souls www.BobbyOzunaOnline.com

"Proud Souls" On Location Video Documentary, Part I

Here is the first of several documentary style videos I will be posting recapping my trip to Seymour, Texas on March 14th/15th 2008.


Seymour, Texas is the "setting" to my debut literary fiction novel: Proud Souls. I thought I would offer my fans an opportunity to get to know me better by listening as I share insightful (and unscripted) information regarding the creation of Proud Souls and also (later) get a chance to see the cabin as described in the opening chapters.



Bobby Ozuna Author of Proud Souls www.BobbyOzunaOnline.com

Creating "real" fictitious characters: Part I

Creating "REAL" fictitious characters, Part I: "Identifying With The Audience

Since releasing "Proud Souls" I have been asked many questions relating to my ability to create fictitious characters which appear very "real" and "life-like." As ironic as that might sound, I felt inclined to share a few tidbits of information and methodical rituals I partake in to create my characters.

When creating a new story, I never delve into the task "blindly." That is to say, I always have a general idea of how the story might turn out, but unlike many writers, I'm unclear as to how the story might end. I feel this is important considering we as artists should never limit our creativity. Let's take my story, "Proud Souls" as an example. I began writing the story and originally titled it "the Cabin" and I wrote the initial pages on a trip home from Seymour--the setting to my novel. I wrote approximately 14 pages and 90% of those pages were setting, with no character created. I had idea at the time of the draft if the hero of the story would be male or female and I wrote the setting and drew the initial opening to the story with a clear point-of-view. I did this because I didn't want to limit the story to a particular targeted audience. For instance, most romance writer's write from a female perspective, for females. This is not to say a male could not appreciate the emotion and storyline anymore or less than a woman could, but generally speaking, the greater customer base for romance novels is female.So, when the time came to begin compiling a draft for my story, I had to consider the audience and the make-up of the story, as a male character would have different emotional aspects associated with him as would a female. Now, I did write a female, who played a serious role in the life cycle of my protagonist Justin. Her name was Tessa Jameson. I will use Justin Olerude Bower as my example in this lesson however.

Step1: Identifying With the Audience

The first and most important aspect of drawing (as I like to say) or creating real characters would be creating characters the audience can identify with. I write character driven stories, not plot-based, therefore it was imperative that I create true human form on paper, and almost immediately, if I wanted to keep my audience interested and turning pages. I knew right away I would have to draw on basic human emotions that anyone could identify with, if I was to keep the potential reader interested—and I had to do this right away. Now, for those who have read my story (and I promise not to give too much away), you will notice I put lots and lots of emotions within the first opening chapters, which not only helped establish Justin as a character, but these emotions also helped lay the foundations for the theme to my story. "Proud Souls" is a story of loss and in order for me to establish a change within the character, one that will allow him to grow, I had to first draw the character at one spectrum of the character scale, in order for you to see growth and change later, which in turn helps push the story forward.

When I create characters I focus on emotions that are common to most readers. I have often said, a good fiction writer is one that has tasted the water from the well. You can't write about love, until you have had the courage to love someone more than yourself. You can't write about loss, until you have suffered and you can't appreciate victory, unless you yourself—the author and creator of the story—are daring enough to take up the call and challenges of life. Now, does this mean we should write stories that are targeted to particular audiences? Some experts will say yes, but I say no. To do this means you are restricting your own abilities. The stories I write, are the stories that have come to my heart and mind. But, a key element in any good story, again, is emotion. For instance, we (generally speaking) can all relate to love. In some way or another, even the strongest and boldest of men and women have loved someone or something in their life. So, to draw a character that is passionate about someone or something is easily relatable and the art or trick is to create vivid emotion on paper (that is another lesson). We have all experienced love or hate, sickness and health, financial accomplishment and debt. When I begin creating my characters I make sure to touch the senses, those of touch, taste, smell, sight and sound. For instance, let's say you have a character that is standing on the porch, overlooking some passing cars and watching the rain.

You could easily say, "He was standing on the porch when the rain began to fall, nodding hello to the passing cars. That is simple and easily understood, but another approach might be one that captivates and entices more than one sense—more than just sight. Let's say we tried the same approach but this time wrote instead:

"He was standing on the porch when the rain began to fall, waving at the passing cars. As the storm moved in he closed his eyes and took in a deep breath, appreciating the cleanliness that comes with an evening rain. He smiled, feeling the first drops spray against his forehead."

In that example, we touched on sight (seeing the storm coming & passing cars), smell (cleanliness of the rain) and touch (drops against his forehead). Now, what I see for a character at this point in the story may be completely different from the next reader, but the commonality will be the senses, as we all can remember the feeling of raindrops on our forehead—for some this might remind them of a bad day when they were caught in a storm and for others a childhood memory when they played in the weather as kids. Either way, you have begun to draw on common emotion, and this my friends, is what readers relate to when getting to know a character.

For my part and "Proud Souls", Justin as did Tessa Jameson, both shared numerous emotions common to us all. Justin is a bitter man, with a hardened heart and he seems to wear the memory of the loss of his family around his neck like a heavy chain. Tessa is sensual and in tune with her more sexual side, something many people might relate to. Some of my readers won't identify with Justin, as they themselves have never lost a family member, much less a spouse or child, but they have known moments where life seemed hopeless and all remained loss, and if they substitute Justin's situation for their own, they will soon find the emotions that come with loss are similar, just weighed and measured on a different scale.

Practice this with your characters-in-progress. Review the scenes or opening chapters and ask yourself, despite the individuality of my character, what emotions does he/she have which can relate to my audience? Remember, you don't want to isolate yourself to any particular group of readers, especially if you write fiction. I myself love fiction of all sorts and when I hunt for the next great read, I try to taste water from the various wells along the bookshelf, not remain isolated to one row. You should always keep an open mind and consider not only yourself and your immediate target audience, but the followers of your genre in general. What emotions do we all have in common? What characteristics are common amongst the various nationalities and groups or sects? Try it… I think you will be surprised how much more "real" your fictitious characters become.

~Bobby Ozuna www.BobbyOzunaOnline.com

"Tired"

If I had to sum up how it feels, to be now only 62 days from releasing my first novel, in a word it would be: tired.

The whole process of self-publication has been a roller-coaster ride, one that I would honestly do again, even if I had to cut in line. It still amazes me though, when I find time to slow down long enough to recap the series of events as they have transpired in my life these past few months (much less the past two years spent finalizing this project). I am amazed at all that has come from the idea of a simple short-story and the many great people I have met along the way and the amount of doors which have begun to open, all in the name of a story. I can say that if I were to be asked some two years ago, if I ever envisioned half the things which have come to pass with the near release of this book, I would have said it was impossible. I would have said it couldn’t happen and I would have asked (as I did) how could I ever do it?

Now I am on the last lap, as one good friend recently reiterated, the final stretch and with each passing day, I am dotting more I’s and crossing more T’s to ensure I produce the best book—the best product I can—within my abilities. I would lie if I said I didn’t want “Proud Souls” to be successful, but I would be just as honest to say, the simple fact that the story has come this far is amazing in itself. AND, it hasn’t been released yet. The number of people who have actually read the entire manuscript can be counted on one hand. But, let me be quick to say—for those of you truly wishing to embark on such an adventure, now or in the future—the entire process has not been an easy one. It has been trying, a testament to my willingness to believe and see my dream become a reality, and it has been a struggle to learn countless amounts of information in a very short period. These past four months alone I have had to learn more web code than I care to know, more about the publishing industry in general than the overall writing process and more about marketing and salesmanship that I would dare to discuss at parties. I can go into more detail, and I will under the title, “Project PS” on my website, but for now, let’s keep it brief.

I would encourage anyone willing to set out on such a course, to give the self-publication route a fair and honest review. I would research, research, research the industry and markets and the entire process in general and then when you think you are ready, I would do it again. I have been fortunate to have a series of very close and personal friends endure this misery with me. They have been excited, oftentimes more so than myself and they have become just as frustrated and burnt out as I, and they didn’t write the book! I hope to complete the “Project PS” portion of my website (http://www.bobbyozunaonline.com/projectps.php) before the release of my novel, and in doing so, allow others more options and ideas for self-publication because the feeling is bliss—the control, the direction and the schedule, all there in the palm of your hand—not to mention the conversation piece alone.

It has been great, wonderful, exhausting and down-right mentally draining. I have written half the draft to a new short-story, all in the midst of finalizing this novel, and it has killed me mentally to not find the time to just write and complete that draft (for a writer I am); instead I am busy, working on cover art, corresponding with the ISBN and barcode agencies and busy selecting costs, cover types, radio interview schedules and other online and physical venues for the novel. I am preparing to meet with students in the Ft. Worth ISD to encourage them to chase their dreams, embark on crazy and less likely to achieve goals, all in the name of aspirations and I am doing it, with little or no time to lay down long enough to dream myself. But I press on and I hope that someone reads this blog (or my series of blogs) and finds the encouragement to chase their goals and fulfill their dreams of writing and seeing their work in print, whether they sale one copy or one-million (okay, that is me dreaming). Because, in the end, we are writers and writers write, whether we become famous or not; we do what we do, because that is what manifests from within our souls.

I am tired people and I am so consumed, when I am not spending time with my children, with the book that I have nothing new to bring to a table for conversation. I have become a bore and a walking encyclopedia of information on writing, editing, publishing, marketing and sales and I don’t even have the finished product in my possession to sleep with under my pillow at night. I just want the book to be the best it can, not so much for myself, but for those who believe in me…those who will give my novel a chance…and those who find themselves saying, I can’t, when in their hearts they want to.
You can.
And I am here to help…but first I must sleep…and dream…and draw stories…with words…

~Bobby

"Sometimes it is better to receive"

Everyone is comfortable and familiar with the old adage, it is better to give than receive. I can’t say whether that conforms to the natural selfish tendencies of humanity or whether it simply glorifies the overly misused Christian context and philosophy on giving [to others]. What I can say is this: for many years that simple philosophical mindset has been the justification behind my pride, my unwillingness to take one ounce of help from anyone, believing [that] if God wanted me to make a way for myself to survive in this world, He would do so without having me humble myself with my hat in my hand and a collection plate.

In dealing with the sudden growth in curiosity and the ease with which so many doors have begun to open since formally announcing the release of “Proud Souls” I can say that I have been humbled in this experience and I have done it by letting loose of that philosophy of receiving help and I have taken on a new mindset: Sometimes it is better to receive (so long as you give something back in return as appreciation for those who have and are willing to invest something of themselves in seeing your dreams fulfilled).

There is something about my writing career that many people don’t know and that is once upon a time, when I came upon the realization that writing was indeed my gift, I had previously produced some written works and even self published an early work entitled, “Why Wear The Cross?” That story in itself is a long one, but I will summarize that story here.

For those who can recall, on March 28th, 2000 a tornado hit downtown Fort Worth. The twister came without warning and it was one of two that hit that day, the first being in the cultural/historic district and the second [actually] striking the heart of downtown. Not but a few days after the storm, I was washing clothes at a Laundromat in the North Richland Hills area. I had been battling an already brewing storm within my mind in trying to determine this sudden unction and urge to “do something” though at the time I couldn’t pin-point what this newfound desire was. All I did know is that whatever this restless feeling, it was keeping me awake at night and making life unbearable for me emotionally as I didn’t feel comfortable with telling anyone, apart from my wife at the time, about this sudden craze and whispers I felt stirring within my soul. I honestly felt I was crazy. I remember the first time I heard what I thought were voices and I panicked, woke my wife and almost started crying, fearing I was actually losing my mind. I spent days in prayer, trying to figure out exactly what I was going through. I have to say it was more frightening than enlightening (looking back now seven years later).

Anyhow, back to the Laundromat. I was working as a truck-driver at the time and I had some time off from work to help take care of things around the house. I took our laundry and a book (as I have always been an avid reader) and started washing clothes, something I truly hate doing in public places. It was there I met a woman whose name, I am terribly sorry to say, I can’t recall at this time. She was sitting on a bench inside the Laundromat, minding her own business, though I felt her staring at me intermittently. Knowing now that I hate doing laundry (and for those who know my temperament) I began to feel uncomfortable. I finally turned to her and she waved me over and told me to have a seat. For reasons beyond my comprehension, I didn’t feel upset or bothered after seeing her wave me over, instead, I agreed and I sat down and she initiated conversation. I remember telling myself at the time, oh my God, she’s one of those people who talk you to death in uncomfortable situations (like doing laundry). I was polite and I shook my head a lot and then she started saying something very significant.

This woman, whom I have never met prior to that moment, told me that she was in town on business because of the tornado. She said she was in the insurance business and had to settle lots of claims, etc. That is why she was in the Laundromat at the time and she then started talking about God and gifts and talents and following our dreams. Whatever my initial thoughts of her, they quickly subsided and I was completely attentive to what she was saying. Something inside me told me to listen, to pay attention and those feelings of uneasiness and restlessness I had been carrying for weeks were now beginning to go away. I felt as if my body had suddenly begun to relax and my mind was easy and I had no difficulty focusing on her words and the things she was trying to convey. She talked and talked until finally she said the words that struck balance within my heart and put my soul at sudden ease. She asked me what I wanted to do with my life and without thinking, without consciously preparing my response I looked to her and said, “I want to write.”

I remember how excited I felt when I said those words and how quickly my response came out and how much everything I had to say just made sense to me. I talked and talked about stories (stories I had not yet begun to write) but stories I had already begun to see within my mind, the same ones I had already begun to piece together while I fought my sleep at night. I talked so much this woman almost started to cry, as if somehow my acceptance of this gesture justified her own reasons for following one’s heart. The last thing she said to me, as she dug deep into her purse was “Bobby, you need to write!” This lady from Denton, Texas pulled out a small composition book and a pen from her purse and smiled at me and said, “Bobby, you are a writer.”

I used that small composition book to piece together my first book—“Why Wear The Cross?” and it was terrible! I mean, the content was okay and the sincerity I tried to convey within the text was pure and honest, but the formatting, the physical book itself and my ability (or lack of) to market the book was a total failure. I tried to do it all myself, believing we are supposed to use our gifts for the betterment of the world and do it entirely alone. I was so discouraged after producing that book that I trashed every copy, keeping only the original and I also discarded 6 small booklets I produced with intentions of binding into one complete manuscript.

From that moment, up until only a couple of years ago, my writing was my private passion and it wasn’t until I announced the release of “Proud Souls” earlier this year and I learned to say YES to the people who have come to my aid, believing in my talent and my gift, have so many doors opened, doors I recall pleading with the masters of the universe to open in 2000, that wouldn’t budge.

So I say, it is a wise philosophical mindset to learn to give to others before you take, but at the same time, when it comes to something pure from within your heart, it is also just as wise to learn to bend and receive as often as you wish and hope to give in return. For I (now) believe if you learn to accept help and support (by any means necessary) from others who believe in you and your dreams, you are giving just as much in return when you offer that gift wholeheartedly to the world, for anything that comes from the heart, is truly a blessing to humanity.

By the way, I haven’t stopped writing since receiving that small composition book. I still own it to this day.

~Bobby

"I Am"

Today I received a copy of the short-story anthology, "Mind Trips Unlimited" and written within its pages was the first of my (hopefully) many publications to be celebrated throughout my writing career. There on page 123 is the opening lines to a story I wrote last year--"Corrido"--my tribute to those people in this world who ever pondered their significance and purpose and ever doubted the silent whispers of their soul as it pleaded with them to stand out, be different and utilize their one special gift given to them on the day of their birth. To hold a copy of that book, as ironic as this may seem, made me feel like a writer! And feeling that way today, reminded me of the very question of doubt that plagued me internally—my heart and my mind—until I somehow awoke one day to accept and realize what I already was—a writer.

I learned of Corrido’s acceptance for this anthology in January of this year(2007) and still somehow, the realization that I am indeed that which I already proclaim to the world, hit me new again as if the information was delivered in that small manila envelope with the copy of that book. I remembered how much I struggled with that small facet of identification over the years and how I, like countless others, felt as though the ability and right to dub oneself with the title—author—writer—had to be passed down in some ritualistic ceremony by some ancient monk in a brown cloak, or by a unanimous vote on the Jedi Council or perhaps by another writer, like a knight might do so for one of its scribes. It is funny how we choose to allow ourselves to believe in our own abilities, based on our right to bear a title; but silly or not, that is reality and I know the same struggle to have the courage to stand up before the masses and proclaim myself what I already chose to believe in my heart, applies and holds true for many others like me. It was not easy…but the sense of power and control in my own life heightened the day I chose to accept that which I already was.

I say the best time to introduce oneself as a writer or a painter or a sculptor or a singer—or anything else for that matter—is not when an organization or group of professionals or other member of the class in which you would love to partake says so, but when you choose to accept the pains that come with bearing the gift and believe in your heart that you are indeed, who you are.

Faith in oneself is one of the most important aspects to success. I say you should never measure your life by what others judge or say or by any stipulations people might put on you, but rather by what you see and feel and believe within yourself. If you cast aside foolish ambitions of wealth and riches, and instead choose first to be wealthy in blessings that come by way of giving back to the world, that which was given to you at birth, I believe you will feel a power that cannot be measured on bank statements and financial reports. You will earn by right of passage the confidence to believe that anything is possible and in doing so, your light will shine as a guiding beacon for others…others who live their lives day-by-day without ever considering Hope and all its glory.

Yes, it felt good today to see my first work in print. And it felt so much better when I excused myself from the world, stared myself down in the mirror and allowed myself the freedom to smile. It was in that moment I reminded myself again…that I am…indeed…beyond any measure of doubt…a writer.

~Ozuna

"The BIG Question"

Moving forward with "Proud Souls" and the many questions posed by friends and loved ones, I felt it was time to address a seemingly popular inquiry, one that (I confess) I have overlooked and down-played. And as we get closer to the release date of my first novel and the word is spread and more and more people contact me to share their enthusiasm and excitement for the "big moment", the more I am pressed to address this one important and particular question. It is one that I must say--as I write the draft for this blog on paper and in within my mind--sounds almost as amazing as it is ridiculous.

And what's the big question Bobby? Well it's simple and still somehow complex: How do you write?

That’s it! People want to know how I write…how does one write…how does Bobby write…how do we write? How do you write?

Well honestly, every author has their own methodical process and practices for creating stories and if you like to do research on the Internet, you can find hundreds of how-to guides that tell you the best means for preparing a story, whether it's creating an outline (which I am totally against) or performing what is called a Fast Draft, or writing your first draft on paper (freehand) or beginning the task of creating character sketches, yada...yada...yada... Now, I am not going to fall into the trap of writing the Bobby Ozuna How-To Guide to creating stories and pose myself as an expert on the creative process, but instead I would rather share my ways, both conventional and non-conventional, and let you do with the information as you choose. Fair? Here goes it...

For starters you must allow yourself the freedom to be creative. Writing is an art form, not to be put into a box or constrained with guidelines by how-to experts. Watch children when they finger-paint or color your sidewalks with chalk, they do it freely without ever knowing the "consequences" for not following a particular set of rules and in doing so they are free to become as creative as they wish. If you pay especially close attention you will see something in them that is lost by us as adults...it's called a smile...and it comes with being free to live with what's inside you. Ask two entirely different artists to paint you a picture of an identical tree and you will get two entirely different images, because each painting or drawing represents a portion of the creativity within the artists mind. That is the beauty of art, whether it is in paints or chalks or charcoal or with the written page. Writers are artists too, responsible for creating imaginative worlds and romantic dialogue and hero's that remind us of the greatness tucked away within ourselves and villains that remind us why we choose to sleep with night-lights. They are poets that help sustain the brokenness of life and heralds that mark the second coming!

Now, as I step down from my soap-box, I will say this. NOT just anyone who picks up a canvas and paints can create a work of art or anything seemingly close to what a normal class of society would call art, period. There are techniques that must be learned--contrast, shadowing, size and perception--these are tactics that must be studied, practiced and then applied, in conjunction with the natural flow of creativity, and the end result we can freely dub--art. The same stands true for writers. My initial stories some eight years ago were funny and creative and if I stood amidst the masses in a room or party and shared them, they were just witty enough (in both dialogue and approach) to capture a room's attention. When I put those same stories on paper however, they were a bore and I quickly lost my chances of gaining a fan base. But in time, after studying a better quality of writing by reading a better quality of books, paying attention to the details of humanity around me and listening to the sounds of my own soul as it beckoned me to use my gift, I learned to create a better structured story, with a flare of creative quality all my own. And that is what you must do, if you wish to learn to write.

Okay Bobby, you might say. Now we understand we simply need to write…but HOW do you go about writing? Another great question....

Now, many of the ideas for my stories come from somewhere within my head; some are thoughts and others are portions of dreams I have pieced together over a series of days or weeks or months, as I am a regular dreamer. Some of them are pieces of my own experiences, things I wish to share of myself and the places and people I have met along this journey called life. Others are portions of ideas for stories that I felt would make a great story, something I completely conjured from within my own imagination. But a vast majority of the time, the stories I create begin as thoughts, and then a voice, and then a dream, and then an image I cannot brush away from within my mind…once the characters introduce themselves—their history, their lives, their desires, and their emotions—the images do not go away until I do them justice by creating their world on paper. I know the story is over, when the voices go away and I am at peace enough to get a good night’s sleep.

I can work on more than one story at a time, so long as I am attentive to the voices and understand and learn not to overextend my focus on a particular character (as all my stories begin and end with characters as opposed to setting or action) because in doing so, I might try to force a character into creation, during a moment where my soul is listening to the shouts of another character for another story. (This is that whole “don’t cross the streams” thing from the 80’s…)

I always write my drafts on paper. I have a perfectionist tendency to DESTROY my creative flow when attempting to type my drafts on a computer’s word processing software because each and every time I see a red or green squiggly line below a word when I am typing too fast to try and keep up with my own thoughts, I have to stop, as if that red or green line is SHOUTING and reminding me that I have just committed a typo, an error, a flaw. With every stroke of the Backspace key, more and more creative juices are lost, spilt over my keyboard and ruined. Therefore, I write my drafts on paper, in handwriting so bad I can hardly interpret my own words the next morning. Luckily, I know the story as it is built within my head, so I seldom need to read my drafts in a line-by-line fashion, rather I just watch the story unfold within my mind and I begin typing. It is during this portion of the creative process that I begin filling in “gaps.” It is here that I begin to learn the characters and see them for who they are and allow them to introduce themselves to me. I try to walk like them, and talk like them, and become them, like an actor on a stage play, for only a moment, allowing myself to capture the true essence of their nature on paper. When I write dialogue, I act out the scene. When I draw a moment, I try to show it from the character’s point of view, because naturally, the writer should not and does not exist within a story.

After I have completed one full draft, start to finish, I begin the grueling and painful process of re-writing, editing and proof-reading. This is the part of writing, no author enjoys (at least I couldn’t imagine how they might). It is here I take a physical printed format of my story or chapters or portions at a time, and begin reading it aloud, so many times, that eventually I can’t “see the forest for the trees” anymore. When this happens, I hand the story off to one of my handful of closest friends and confidants and ask them to read the story, each one giving me a different take on the story, whether it’s perception, point-of-view, characters, settings, emotions. I do have to force myself to step away from the story for a few days, take in what criticisms and critiques have been offered by my friends and colleagues and then I finalize the story.

Remember, writing is an art form, not to be boxed in or constrained with guidelines, although there are rules for writing like there are rules for anything in this world. Take some time to study the craft, read better quality material (and that’s an argument entirely to itself) and make writing a part of your life, your habit and your daily routine. In time, as with anything else, you will get better and as you work to critique your own work, you will better understand how to develop the stories before the first words are ever put on paper.

~Ozuna

"To Publish Or Not To Publish"

Since making the decision to self-publish my first novel “Proud Souls”, many people have asked the (critical and crucial) question: what made you decide to self-publish over opting (or waiting) on the more traditional route of publishing your novel? Well that answer, though easy to explain, was one of the more difficult decisions I have had to make with regards to my own personal writing career.

First and foremost I had to dig deep within myself and determine what my writing actually signifies to me in my life. If I had ambitions of using my writing as a means of “making a living” or becoming rich as most people would want or expect, then opting to self-publish my novel was no doubt a bad choice. Because (for those of you who know) the odds are never in favor of authors who publicize and market their own material—not because their works aren’t good enough—but rather because most people don’t have the resources (money and contacts), the time or the know-how to reach their objective. Naturally however I would be lying if I said I didn’t have dreams of one day writing on a full-time basis. I currently write at least once a day and with such a habit as I have said before (and quote me), there is an agony I suffer because of the desires of my inner muse to transpose my thoughts and ideals onto paper. I am a night-owl, staying up later than I should, long after people have gone to bed, and it’s during these moments of solitude and silence that I wait attentively and I listen to the silent whispers of my soul and in those moments I hear the words, see the pictures and then begin to draw my stories with words.

My writing is my passion, it can be dubbed a hobby, but that wouldn’t be fair. A hobby in my opinion is something we do to pass the time, to make life tolerable for the moment, but a passion however is something greater, something that stirs from within the depths of our souls and it’s something that is much too hard to explain but easily interpreted externally as the one thing we were “meant to do” or destined to become. It is the happiness you see and feel when you are around those people in the world that seem to be doing what they should be doing--what they were meant to do. It's that thing you can't explain. Now with that said and understood (I am talking to myself naturally), the decision to self-publish my work became easier.

In the literary world, self-publication carries as much controversy as do arguments over best practices for querying a literary agency, how or when to write a synopsis, and which method is best served to land a publishing contract. I have felt the pains that come with each of those processes; “Proud Souls” proudly (no pun intended) bears its share of close to forty documented rejection letters. Now, does that mean my work is no good or does it mean it didn’t fit with a particular agency/publishing house at the moment? Or, does it mean my story suffers for lack of exposure I have received prior to querying or shopping the story to prospective buyers? See, publishing houses are businesses and they, like any company in this country are in business to make money. They put up money to “retain” an author, buy the rights to a story, design the cover, edit the manuscript, market the future release, advertise and publicize the author, bind the books, store them in a warehouse, package them, distribute them and sale them. All costs associated of course, pay for each of these minute steps all in the grand name of publishing.

If you are savvy to business, then you know each of these steps can be costly and the entire process can be dangerous and critical to the existence of a publishing house; If the book does not sale then the company loses money and the costs associated with publishing a particular novel are lost, because as many people don’t know, books distributed to major book retailers don’t always have to be returned, they instead are sold to discount book stores and monies are lost. That is the major gamble associated with unknown authors like yours truly. The flip side of that coin is, because publishing houses are in business to make money, more and more good writers are often passed up in lieu of controversy, actors, athletes and others who “write a book” only to detail their story to a figure called a ghost-writer…they are the ones who actually do the writing. When publishing houses land contracts with the latest tabloid star, they almost guarantee themselves royalties and profit and the sacred art of writing, posed and blessed upon people by the literary gods is ignored and sometimes, fatefully lost to the world as we know it.

Then comes Bobby Ozuna and the countless others like me who have a knack for this craft, practice it, live and suffer to birth it and bring each story and character and setting to life. What happens to those stories? They are packed away on dusty book cases in our homes, stored and lost within directories on our computers or trashed, along with hope in our passion.

I have often argued in return for the sake of others like me, that just because an author chooses to self-publish, doesn’t mean his or her work was not “worthy” of publication. It may simply mean there is no fit for them in the otherwise guaranteed profitability of the day’s latest tabloid scandal. Recently a friend of mine said that their own editor had nothing positive to say about self-published writers or self-published books. My answer was this: Of course they don’t. If an author like myself chooses to create, market, stock and distribute a book all on my own, then essentially the “middle-man” is cut out and with that isolation comes loss of potential money. I didn’t have to pay a high-priced editor, though as you will see when the book is released this July(2007), if fairs no less than any other book you can pick up on a shelf. I didn’t have to beg and plead with a publishing house to consider my work, as I have full control over its entire creative process. I have no deadlines or demands over my shoulder requiring a particular amount of sales or revenue because my initial costs were low, my product is marketable and I have used the oldest method known to business: I talk to people on a personal basis and share something of myself and in that, people are willing to take a chance on me and my project, my passion, my hearts blood.

Is a person blessed by God with a voice to sing to the nations any less of a singer if they don’t have a record label? Is a garage band, who advertises themselves with flyers and distribute their own CD’s at local gigs within their hometown any less of musicians? Is a painter any less of an artist if their work isn’t hanging from the walls of a major museum? The answer is no. And a writer, who puts forth honest effort into developing their craft, takes painstaking steps into studying the basic fundamentals of character development, settings, mood, theme, tone, archetypes, acts and humanity is therefore no less of a writer, author or storyteller if they aren’t draped with titles and labels born by those who don’t actually understand what it is to be a writer.

When I came to understand and appreciate this, it was then that I took it upon myself, with the help of many other people who too believe in natural born talent, and I made the choice to produce and distribute and market my own work. I have made the choice to give my art-form its fair and due diligence, by sharing my own works with those willing to take a moment to listen. Now whether “Proud Souls” or any of my future projects ever receive recognition apart from those simple compliments given by those who appreciate my writing…I can live with that and to quote Mr. Robert Frost: “…And that has made all the difference.”

~Ozuna

Inotauthor???

I have been asked many times by those people closest to me why I often use the title "Inotauthor" with relation to name and my stories. Well, for those of you who often pose this question just to realize that I am a master at ignoring those inquiries that I would rather keep private and more to myself, this blog’s for you!

With the release of my first novel, "Proud Souls" this July (2007) and the upcoming debut of my first published short-story—“Corrido”—I have begun working to extend my network of friends and associates outside my routine and customary means, and in doing so, I have decided to try various methods for including others as part of my creative process. And in venturing out I have (already) met some extraordinary people, one of which is my new acquaintance and friend, Maria Sanchez. Maria as the world will see is the artist behind the painting on the cover to my novel, “Proud Souls.” Maria told me I should consider “blogging” as a means to “get my name out there.” She then gave me some pretty significant advice. Maria said if I shared my work openly, the world might (possibly) fall in love with my writing…but if I shared my thoughts behind my writing, the world might (possibly) fall in love with me.

I thought the advice was pretty sound and with the upcoming release of my new website, I thought it was time to break a few of my own privacy rules and let the world in on some secrets behind this writer's methodical process for creating and drawing my stories with words as I like to say. I suppose there is no better introductory story to tell—or remaining excuses avoiding the question—than to share the substance behind the “Inotauthor” handle I have so often used over the years. The immediate and honest answer is, I don't have the faintest idea why I selected that name, but I can tell you—like all things associated to Bobby Ozuna—there is a pretty good story behind it (I suppose that's why I'm a writer.)

Years ago I kept my writing private. I did this for various reasons, but primarily I did it because as a “man” it felt awkward to be in such balance with my more creative and passionate side. Now, history has showed us that for as many women who utilize their creative sense, there are just as many men—painters, sculptors, and writers. I did rationalize this point but still, somehow, I talked myself out of sharing this inner desire to write. It wasn’t until the latter part of 2000 that I shared my first writings with a gentleman named Ladd Holder. Ladd and I became immediate friends and we shared the same interests, tastes and ideals behind some of what I would call better writers of my lifetime. In speaking with Ladd and sharing some of my early works, he was quick to say, with all due honesty that my writing was horrible. But like a true friend he then went on to say that despite my raw edgy approach to writing stories, he did sense a real talent for creativity. He explained something very important to me—a topic I sincerely consider discussing once my website is released—and that was the art of practicing your craft. Ladd told me that he believed that my destiny was to become a writer. He then went on to suggest I begin studying the craft, author styles and story structures, something quite honestly, I didn’t want to do. I was like most when I say, I wanted to sit down, draft a story, type it up and call it done! A masterpiece! Well, that isn’t true….at least not for me.

I did however take Ladd’s advice and I began reading more quality work, paying special attention to character development, scenes, and story “flow” as some may call it. Being our taste in comedy is the same, Ladd had the habit of asking me if I “got my flow on.” (You have to know Ladd Holder to appreciate the comedy behind that statement). Regardless, over many conversations and Southern Pecan Pies, I began to understand the complexity that came with being a writer. When it became tough, I would tell my friend that I was not an author, or in being silly, I would say, “I not author…”

So now I say to each of you who have sincere aspirations to write, like me, you must first come to terms with who you are (and what you are not) and make the choice to listen to the voice inside your soul, the silent cry pleading desperately to be heard. It's that beating, living presence within your heart that occupies your every thought until you become so uncomfortable that you have no choice but to remain still and listen. I believe if you do this, if you choose to listen to the voice of your own soul, you will then learn to find relative peace in an unmerciful world. I had to spend ample amounts of time alone, listening to the same sounds of my own soul before ultimately appreciating who I am as an individual.

My name is Bobby Ozuna and I am an author...a writer…a storyteller…a creative work of art all on my own. And in keeping with my traditions, I opted and adopted the handle, “Inotauthor” as my tribute and my reminder of where I began many years ago when I found the courage to face my destiny.