Bev Pettersen's Blog, page 103
October 29, 2014
Flash Fiction
Not really. Right now it’s pretty calm, but we do have clouds misting arounda bright orange moon. Doesn’t get any cooler than that. With Halloween nigh upon us, I thought I wouldcelebrate by entertaining you with a two-hourinterpretive dance. Or, better yet, how about a flash fiction piece?
The thing I love most about flash fiction is that you have to wow your reader in a very short amount of time. Most flash fiction is between 500 and 1,000 words. Try writing an...
October 28, 2014
Just How Brave are YOU?
We talk a lot on the Ruby-Slippered Sisterhood blog about writing, and I think we can all agree that writing a book, putting it “out there” and watching people read, review, throw your book into a trashcan takes a certain amount of bravery. Okay, so I don’t know that someone threw any of my books in a trash can. I did have a teacher (who shall remain nameless) sell my unread, autographed book to the used bookstore, but I’m going to assume she’d rather read books on teaching methodology rather...
October 27, 2014
Research: Unexpected Consequences
One of the things I love the most about writing medical romances is the research. I’m a sucker for all of those not-so-common ailments and spend far more time than I should perusing medical sites and my trusty Physicians’ Desk Reference.
Tina and Dolly–stuck inside on a rainy day
There are a couple of problems with research, though. One is that I’m not squeamish. At all. And my filter for knowing what others might find icky seems to let all kinds of things slip through. I have a friend who just...
October 26, 2014
Boxing for Our Servicemen
If you’ve shopped at Amazon lately, you can’t have helped but notice the host of multi-author boxed sets for sale—many for only 99 cents. I’ve watched a lot of these bundles hit major bestseller lists. So when Chris Keniston, one of my GH sisters from 2010, invited me to take part in a promotional 99-cent boxed set (featuring a total of SEVEN steamy contemporary romance novels by award-winning authors), I—Laurie Kellogg–eagerly hopped on board. I was particularly excited to be part of the p...
October 23, 2014
Ruby Release: This Is Your Afterlife!
It’s Shea Berkley here and I am so excited to introduce Vanessa Barneveld’s debut Young Adult book, This Is Your Afterlife! USA Todaycalled it a “must read!”Clink your champagne glass to the screen and give a shout out to Vanessa. YAY, Vanessa!!!
If I had confetti, I’d throw it in the air, but me being me, I’d accidently chuck it in Vanessa’s eyes and blind her, so thank God this is a virtual party and not an in-person party. (Upside, she can’t see me dance. Downside, she can’t see me dance an...
October 22, 2014
The Confessions of a Non-writing Writer
Several weeks ago, I attended my 40th high school reunion. My high school was located in a small rural farming community in northwest Mississippi, and my graduating class was small. Because of our small number, you would think it would be easier to get us together through the years, but we’d not had a reunion since our ten-year one. Ten years hadn’t changed us that much. Wewere still youngand our looks hadn’t changed much since graduation. After forty years, that wouldn’t be the case. So, it...
October 21, 2014
Return of the Slog
A few things have converged this week and I wanted to address them under the broader heading of “The Slog.” We discussed the idea of “the slog” in a post back in February, which you can findhere
At the time of the article, I asked the question, “What makes some days a slog and some a breeze?”
I’d like to extend that a bit based on some conversations I’ve had recently with writer friends.
For anyone who’s ever had a “day job,” you know bad days sort of come with the territory. Fortunately there a...
October 20, 2014
RUBY RELEASE: Seventh Grave and No Body
It’s release day for the next book in the Charley Davidson series: Seventh Grave and No Body. I’m thrilled to be able to share this with our readers, especially in this, my favorite month of the year! Nothing says Halloween is coming like one of Charley’s creepy cases. This time Charley gets to do all kinds of fun thingslike dig up a grave, face off against a nest of demons who’ve been waiting for her, and fight a dozen hounds thatescaped from hell to rip her to shreds. I’ve included an...
October 19, 2014
Motivation through workshops
My first book came out two years ago this month. In the subsequent twelve months I had three more out and one novella, and then this year two and a novella. Next year will hopefully be three full lengths (and just maybe three novellas). I know plenty of authors do more than that, but for me that’s a lot. I stay busy. I love it, but writing isn’t for the faint of heart.
However, over the last two years I’ve also had many thoughts and feelings concerning writing. Lots of emotions. Doing it as a...
October 16, 2014
Katie’s Birthday Bash
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME!!!!
Don’t you just hate people who throw their own birthday parties? Well, get over it because I’m throwing my own. Today, I’m 43 years-old and proud of it! My father died at the age of 59 and then my sister at the age of 39, so in my family, every birthday is a blessing!
In my house, we celebrate birthdays for an entire week. This year, I’m celebrating with a dessert a day. Here’s the count:
Sunday, Oct. 12th-Chocolate Bourbon Pecan (pronounced pee-con NOT pee-can) Pie
If yo...
