Discovering unfamiliar places and learning new skills is one way to deepen your life knowledge for your work, but what about exploring within? Amarilys Rassler delves into her Cuban roots and childhood memories to create writing layered with authentic details and riveting emotion. Her story, Seis Dedos, Six Toes, is just one example of how she amplifies her horizons within and delivers a captivating story of a young Cuban girl in a poignant moment in history. It won First Place … Read More »

Writing military history is an important task requiring accuracy and attention to detail while still having lean prose. Extensive experience in creating reports and briefings while serving thirty-one years in the armed forces gave Will G. Merrill, Jr. these skills. He used them to write his second book, Ordinary People: Extraordinary Heroes—Afghanistan and Iraq, which tells the true stories of real-life heroes. His book won First Place for Published History in the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards. Will talks about … Read More »

My first FWA meeting was a terrifying disaster…well, to me at least. I’d only scribbled in notebooks, I wasn’t a real writer. Yet I dared to go to the Maitland library among a group of REAL authors. No worry, I’d just hide in the back. My hopes were dashed when I saw the tables arranged in a U, with nowhere to hide. People would see me. I sat down and flipped through pages of an empty notebook, attempting to look … Read More »

In order to succeed on Wall Street, one must be intelligent and dedicated. Jory Berkwits spent forty years there before he became an author. He applied his characteristic brilliance and work ethic to create his book, Death of the Dinosaur, that won First Place for Published Informational in the 2018 Royal Palm Literary Awards. Jory discusses his transition to writing, his insider view, and writing tips on this week’s RPLA showcase. Jory’s Writing Journey I thought I would be a … Read More »

Incredible writer? Check. Multi-genre author? Check. Marketing master? Check. Dedicated volunteer? Check. There are few challenges John Hope hasn’t faced and come out on top. The soft-spoken yet hilarious author has been a key resource in the FWA as well as one of its treasured gems. John was recognized with the Kaye Coppersmith Award in 2018 for his service and dedication to the organization. He spends a multitude of hours helping other writers yet still has time to write many, … Read More »

Early influences are important, especially when they encourage a deep love of writing. Virginia Nygard has been on both sides: the eager student inspired by the skilled teacher and the passionate teacher passing on her love of words to her students. Virginia also enjoys watching her characters grow. She was struck with an opening scene and the rest of the story flew from her fingertips, creating her book Missing. It won First Place for Published Novella in the 2018 Royal … Read More »