Rebecca Ross's Blog, page 9

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

Craft & Writing Post # 5

A tray of tangible storytelling. ✨ I’ve been steadily working on...

A tray of tangible storytelling. ✨ I’ve been steadily working on revisions for one of my books, and I just entered the third act. By this point, I’m usually feeling tired from weeks of work and I’m tempted to rush onward to the end. Sometimes, in that chaotic bustle of the-end-is-finally-in-sight, I don’t allow myself to fully unfold and savor those final chapters like I did to the opening ones. But here’s a little tip that has been like a magic wand to me in these moments: ✨ Whenever I want to feel completely grounded in a scene (which hopefully means my reader will, too!), I try to draw from three of the senses. It’s easy to always lean on sight—how do things look? But I love to delve deeper than that, into the way things sound and smell and taste. The way something feels against the skin or beneath one’s fingertips. ✨ Some of my current favorites: the metallic clink of old coins, the hum of a hive, the silk of a butterfly’s wing, the spicy scent of pipe smoke, the taste of rain, the smooth planes and angles of an amethyst’s face. ✨ They remind me that beauty is in the small things and to slow down and enjoy these story scenes I’ve been building toward. To truly let my writing transport me and to feel these moments alongside my characters. ✨ What about you? What are some of your favorite sounds or textures or tastes or smells?

https://www.instagram.com/p/B_nA-A9A7il/?igshid=1bh3coihw6f9m

A handful of wild daisies picked from my yard + the whimsical...

A handful of wild daisies picked from my yard + the whimsical magic of old books.

Hi friends! I want to make a quick announcement here about...

Hi friends! I want to make a quick announcement here about SISTERS OF SWORD & SONG pre-orders.

Today, I tackled a chapter that fought me nearly all week. I...

Today, I tackled a chapter that fought me nearly all week. I knew what I needed to do with it, but I just couldn’t seem to make myself sit down and get the revisions done. In many ways, I would rather face a blank page than one I’ve already written on, full things that need to be cut and reworked. But this morning, I brewed a pot of strong coffee, made myself a hearty breakfast, and I sat down and pushed through it. And I ended up writing a passage that stole my breath and made me remember that there’s always a bit of gold to be found at the bottom of a seemingly deep and daunting river.

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✨ Craft & Writing Post # 4 ✨ I’m currently procrastinating...

✨ Craft & Writing Post # 4 ✨ I’m currently procrastinating in my revisions, so it’s time for another bookish question!

Q: What made you decide to write THE QUEEN’S RESISTANCE in 2 point-of-views? — @meganalexbanks ✨

A: I love this question, and it’s been a while since I talked about RESISTANCE. ✨

I once thought Brienna’s story arc was complete in RISING. Until one afternoon I sat down on my back porch and decided I would see what would happen if I continued her story. I began writing in my journal, picking up where RISING left off. And I knew right then and there that this wasn’t just Brienna’s story but Cartier’s. ✨

There was so much of his story that I wanted to share—insight into his past, his present feelings and struggles, what he was destined to encounter. He played a vital role in the first book, and I wanted to let that continue to unwind in the sequel. I felt like Cartier’s chapters would only compliment and sharpen Brienna’s, and that my readers would enjoy finally having his perspective. I saw the story unfold and I knew it needed to be a dual narrative. ✨

But you know what’s funny? I wrote ALL of Cartier’s chapters in 3rd person. Because I was reluctant to dive deep with him, thinking I didn’t have the skill to do it. And my editor was like