Name: Renee Settle
Business Name: 12 Minutes A Day, LLC
Website URL: www.12minutestory.com & www.reneesettle.com
Social Media Links:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/12minutestory/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/12minutestory
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/reneesettle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/12mad4u/
Book Titles:
The 30 Day Writing Workout for Kids
The 30 Day Writing Workout for Pre-teens
The 30 Day Writing Workout Blog Edition
The 30 Day Writing Workout Gratitude Edition
The 30 Day Writing Workout Weight Loss Edition
The Swinging Rope Incident
NFAA Chapter Location: Meridian, Idaho
NFAA Meetup Group Link: https://www.meetup.com/Boise-Chapter-Nonfiction-Authors-Association/
Tell us a bit about you. What kinds of writing do you do and what do you do for work?
I’d like to begin this with my standard ice breaker introduction – “Hi, my name is Renee and I’m a recovering geologist.” There, don’t we all feel better after a chuckle? Now you know a little about me. It has nothing to do with my current career, but, perhaps it does, in a sense contribute to my writing and my coaching.
I write creative nonfiction and fiction. I write under the pseudonym, Marlie Harris, for my fiction because most people don’t think a horror author can write funny, engaging, nonfiction and children’s stories. There, I’ve come out as a fiction writer. That’s another bit about me.
I work as a writing coach where I teach people to write their story using a simple 12 minutes a day method. I’ve helped multiple authors publish their works in this manner. I am also a ghostwriter.
My life’s mission is to help people get their stories out into the bookverse. Your story matters. My story matters. Together, our stories will change the world. I think of it as aligning souls, one story at a time.
What are your publishing-related goals?
I’m excited for 2017 because I’ll be publishing the book, 12 Minutes A Day, Writing for the Non-writer. It details the 12 minutes a day method, how it came to be, and how it has helped change my own life and the lives of others writing their story.
What motivated you to want to run a local chapter for NFAA and what do you hope to accomplish with your chapter?
I want to give back to the community and create a chapter that gives value to the everyday beginning writer. We all started as fresh faced, pencil in hand, lunch box full of good eats, writers with no idea what we were getting into. Then we jump into the deep end with sharks who love to take our money and leave us with very little in return. I believe the NFAA offers high value for reasonable cost and I want to represent that in my community.
Besides, the Boise chapter was getting too big and having a second chapter seemed appropriate to meet the needs of our thriving community of authors, writers, and supporters.
What advice would you offer to fellow writers?
If you are just starting out, don’t give up. Sometimes, the easiest thing, writing, becomes the hardest thing you’ve ever done. I would say, don’t give up just because it gets hard. You have support here and encouragement among your fellows. Reach out, go to a meeting, connect with others.
Please list any favorite books, tools, or resources you would recommend for fellow writers.
Bird by Bird by Anne Lamott
Who would you be without your story by Byron Katie
Tools for authors:
Scrivener is my favorite writing tool.
I believe, as an author, it is my sacred duty to collect writing journals and fountain pens. I recommend this practice to anyone, including writers.
What do you do for fun?
I love the outdoors and being there, so my family and I spend quality time in the Idaho, Oregon, Washington areas cavorting outside. This can be in the form of exploring a new small town, hiking a trail, or just hanging at the beach. If it’s outside, it’s good enough!
Personally, I enjoy collecting dragons for fun. I think I may have been a dragon at one point. If there was such a thing. Which we don’t know, so don’t burst my bubble and tell me otherwise. Thank you very much!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I hope you’ve read this blog with joy, humor, and the snippet of snark it was intended to have. We don’t laugh nearly enough at ourselves or with others. Just like life, writing is funny, passionate, hurtful, joyous, and all the other lofty emotions we aspire to in our lives. It will be treated with reverence, downhome disregard and drollness.
My final, final thoughts, I promise. We need your story in this world. Your story is THE most important thing you can contribute to this existence we call humanity. Honor it and just write.
