Author Don Ake of Jackson Township started The Write Stuff Authors Group of Canton in 2017 to support local writers and aspiring authors and help sharpen their writing skills.
The group, which meets the second Thursday of the month at North Canton Public Library, welcomes all writers and authors to join.
In addition to his writing, Ake is a busy public speaker, on topics such as his books, humorous subject matter − even economics.
"My initial goal was to publish a book after I retired from my job as an economic analyst and forecaster in the trucking industry," Ake said. "However, I started writing 'Ake’s Pains' humor blog in 2011. I published a collection of these blog posts in my first book in 2015, thereby achieving a life goal eight years earlier than expected."
His current book list includes:
- Just Make Me A Sandwich (2015)
- Will There Be Free Appetizers? (2018)
- Turkey Terror At My Door! (2020)
- Deep Heavy Stuff (2023)
- The Forecast Is Never Wrong (expected in 2024)
Ake and his wife, Dawn, have two daughters, Allison and Cassandra, and grandson Liam, and another due March 1. He graduated from Kenmore High School and received a bachelor's degree and a master of business administration from University of Akron.
When did you start writing?
I started writing my senior year in high school. My journalism teacher, Mrs. Maher, recognized my sense of humor and encouraged me to start putting my funny quips down on paper. I detail the story in my "Turkey Terror At My Door!" book. From there, I wrote a humor column, "Ake’s Pains," for The University of Akron Buchtelite. I then took a brief 32-year hiatus before starting "Ake’s Pains" blog.
How do you pick the topics for your books?
When I started "Ake’s Pains" blog, I wrote about anything and everything I found funny. When I decided to publish "Just Make Me A Sammich," I organized the blog posts into similar topics. So, my humor books do not have an overall theme, except they all crack you up. People compare my humor writing to the television show "Seinfeld" in that the books contain ordinary, everyday stuff that I make hilarious. The titles of the humor books are based on a favorite essay in the book.
What are your top three tips for those thinking of a writing career?
- Find your style and develop your unique writing voice. Don’t be afraid to break some of the “written rules” if necessary. Read the most popular books in your genre, as you craft your writing.
- Be persistent. Unless you are gifted, you are not going to be successful for several years. It takes time to refine your writing. People will not respect you as an author until you have published several books. Many people publish one book, but only a few publish multiple titles.
- Writing is your second career until it becomes your first. Always have a steady source of income while you develop your writing skills. Get all the education you can when it is available to you. It’s going to take time, effort, and some luck, so always have a backup plan.
Who are your favorite authors and why?
David Sedaris is a master storyteller and the best author in the humor genre. I tell people I’m a Midwest version of David Sedaris, certainly not from a talent perspective, but of writing structure and sense of humor. I have always been a fan of Dave Barry, and my writing reflects it. Recently, someone in my author's group read my humor for the first time and said it reminded him of Dave Barry. I also enjoy Dan Ariely, not so much because of his writing but because of his fascinating research into behavioral economics.
Share your two favorite quotes from writers?
“You are a writer if you keep writing” – Hank Moody, a character on the TV show "Californication."
“Proceed as if success is inevitable” – Unknown.
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