This December will mark my 4th year of working at this library. This November marks my 6th year working in a library setting. Next February will mark my 47th year on planet Earth. This year marks the 57th season since the New York Jets won a Super Bowl. Where DOES the time go? Over the course of 45 months, being conservative in my estimate, I have written over 150 Library News columns for the Sedona Red Rock News. Give or take a few. And still counting. I’ve been told by patrons “Oh but you make it look so easy!” I assure you, it’s not. Jokingly, much like when I was in college, I explain that I write really well under duress…or a deadline. Just ask our Library’s Assistant Director, Tasha, when I grace her doorway with my inevitable ‘knock-knock’ on a Monday afternoon with my favorite catchphrase “Sooooo ..column?”
My father, was a journalist, the youngest president at 21 years of age, twice elected, of the Cagayan De Oro Press Club in the Philippines. Manny Q. even traveled to Taiwan with other journalists as a member of MinPRA, the Mindanao Press Association. My Dad, Lolo – think abuelo, for those of you who took Spanish in High School – to my son Fernando, even had the chance to meet Senator Ninoy Aquino. Bottom line, my dad was pretty cool, and a very good writer from what his friends, and colleagues would tell me when I was growing up. I’d like to think that if he were still alive, and I say this often, that he’d get a kick knowing his son inherited that familial gift of the wordsmith.
My writing process is fairly simple, stare at computer screen, get up, get coffee then check email. Go back to staring at screen, look around at desk, see a note to myself about Bruce Willis…spend an hour searching Bruce Willis movies on the internet. Remember when he was the voice of the baby in the movie “Look Who’s Talking?” that was a good movie. I think Kirstie Alley played the mom. She was in Cheers. She was also in Star Trek 2: Wrath of Khan. Wasn’t Kelsey Grammar on an episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation? Spend another hour searching what actors on Cheers appeared in the Star Trek franchise. I remember there was this old episode where Kirk and Spock where in some kind of Grecian garden held prisoner by a half-naked space God, surrounded by columns. Oh wait, I still have a column to write. Go back to staring at computer screen. Rinse and repeat. I’m pretty sure this was the same process Stephen King used to write Cujo.
Every week, this column serves as an opportunity to share vital information with the community about a myriad of topics. A bit of seriousness, a bit of information, some history, and when possible, some levity. Sedona is a town full of talented people, people wanting to learn, and grow, and perfect their craft or a skill they have, and want to grow in. So it should come as no surprise that yes, the library is here not to just help you with understanding investing, or being artistic, or achieving a healthier lifestyle, and outlook on life but to also help those who want to better their writing craft.
Have you ever finished a book and wondered “Wow, where did the author get the idea for this?” Well, much like every book is different, so is the inspiration behind them. On Wednesday, September 17 at 6PM in the Community Room find out as we take a deep dive on how you too can become the next J.A.Jance, James Patterson, Claire Hennessy, or Danielle Steel. Bring a pencil and paper, take notes. Just don’t stare at the computer screen.
The Writing Hacks and Cheat Sheets Panel aims to reveal the many magic tricks behind the curtain. Our guest authors, you may remember them as part of the library’s Magical Author panel from last year, will discuss their favorite tricks and tips to completing a draft and polishing it into a publication product. From the moment of inspiration, to the inevitable hurdles found along the way, this panel will share how writers make writing a discipline; how they muse over their words when the muse has nothing to say, and what they do when writers block strikes.
Ryan Dalton is author of THIS LAST ADVENTURE and the TIME SHIFT TRILOGY. He splits his time between writing books, fighting crime, and hanging out in his awesome underground lair. He’s a singer, a voiceover artist, a pretty decent amateur chef, and a lover of all things geek. Please don’t tell anyone he’s Batman. It’s a secret.
Madeleine Elizabeth’s debut, Castle Witch, is best described as a closed door, slow burn, cozy fantasy romance, featuring a black cat meets golden retriever dynamic. The magic is heavily nature based, with evocative rhyming couplets to make up the spells. The sequel, Castle Wife, is currently underway! Madeleine herself is mom to three very busy boys and one very lazy dog.
Karen Ramsey is an Arizona native. She recently resigned from her job to pursue writing full time. Since growing up in church she feels her life is powered by faith and caffeine keeps her going. She has self-published two contemporary young adult novels. Her debut novel, Enjoy the Little Things, was released in 2023.
These talented wordsmiths will help us to learn how the voices in their heads get to talking on the page. Community Library Sedona is also a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your gifts and support, just like the Friends’ contributions, allow us to provide a plethora of services and programs for the community, for free, all year long. Visit communitylibrarysedona.org/donate to make an online gift today.
As published by Red Rock News
Library News Column for August 29, 2025, by Jan Marc Quisumbing, Scheduling Coordinator