Bev Pettersen's Blog, page 18

Endings and Fan Ownership

Ever since the finale of Game of Thrones (and to a lesser extent Avengers: Endgame), I’ve been thinking about endings.  About what makes a satisfying one – and also whether it is even possible for a franchise that built itself around the shocking and unexpected to have a satisfying ending. 

See, here’s the thing.  To me, what made Game of Thrones so compelling, what had people talking about it so much that you HAD to watch it live or you risked spoilers, was not the fact that it was perfect o...

Meet 2019 Golden Heart Finalist Fenley Grant!!

One of our favorite traditions here at the Ruby Slippered Sisterhood is getting to host the newest class of Golden Heart Finalists each spring for a series of interviews and guest blog posts. We’ve made friends with so many amazing and wonderful writers, and have been thrilled to watch them as they’ve launched their careers and brought amazing books out into the world. This year, of course, is special—in a deeply bittersweet way. RWA will be suspending the Golden Heart Contest after 2019…with...

Spoilers

I’ve been thinking a lot lately about spoilers. Between the latest Avengers movie and the excitement around the last season of Game of Thrones, Twitter has been rife with them over the past week.

Spoiler … I don’t watch Game of Thrones so I won’t ruin anything for you here.

And spoiler number two … while I love the Marvel cannon, I’m a bit behind at the moment and still need to see Infinity War. So … you’re safe with me.

I was already thinking about this topic and then Vivi’s awesome post on...

Calculated Risk

First off, let me start of by saying that as I am writing this I have not yet seen Avengers: Endgame – so there will be NO SPOILERS. (Though I may spoil Infinity War somewhat.)  I’m not here to talk about Endgame plot wise.  I’m here to talk about it’s impact.  It’s effect.  And the calculated risk that the Russo brothers took when they or Kevin Feige or whoever first pitched it came up with the combined Infinity War/Endgame gambit.

And I do think it was a gambit.  A risk they knew they were...

Mini-Bucket Lists

A few days ago, the notebook where I jot down random ideas broke.  Or, to be more precise, the cover tore in half, the binding snapped, and it more or less exploded paper all over the inside of my bag.  Not great for my organization, but it did help me trip across a list I hadn’t even remembered writing until I saw it. 

It was about eighteen months ago when I scribbled the list.  I was working a day job for a couple months to pick up some extra cash, but the day-to-day grind was getting to me...

The Golden Ticket

I loved Autumn’s inspiring post on Monday and it dovetailed with something I’ve been thinking about lately.

There’s a line in the movie YOU’VE GOT MAIL. Meg Ryan (a children’s bookstore owner in the film) remarks about the books we read as kids:

“Because when you read a book as a child, it becomes a part of your identity like no other reading can.”

I love this line because not only do I agree with it, but I have had that experience myself. One of the books that had that impact on me was CHARL...

WHY DO YOU WRITE?

Why Do You Write? In the writing communities I belong to, the question being asked is why should I continue to write. Authors of all levels are asking this question because their incomes have dropped dramatically. Many can no longer support their families or the life style they’ve become accustomed too. They’re searching for jobs which will more than likely become their main source of income, or they’re downsizing their properties and portfolios. They’re citing many reasons for this occurrenc...

Elton’s Smile

I recently had the opportunity to see Elton John in concert. I’ve loved his music forever but have never had a chance to see him perform and now that I have I am kicking myself I waited this long!

There are endless words to be written about his talent and his work ethic and his longevity (I may do another post on how he described his writing partnership with Bernie Taupin – absolutely fascinating!) But for now, the thing I wanted to focus on was his smile.

The stage was set up so that there...

Consolation Day: We’ve Got Hugs, Chocolate, and Some Reminders You Need to Hear Right Now!!

Well, this stinks. The universe clearly %*$%#$&!!ed up this time. You submitted your wonderful, awesome, from-the-very-depths-of-your-heart precious book—your book that truly DESERVED it, the book you sweated and cried and suffered over, the book that made your CP weep tears of joy—and you WANTED TO FINAL SO BAD. Especially this year. And you stared at the phone all Thursday morning, drinking your twelfth cup of coffee, chewing off the last of your fingernails and about to start on the toes,...

Welcome 2019 Golden Heart and RITA Finalists!

CONGRATULATIONS, 2019 FINALISTS!!! You’ve made it through the eye of the needle: RWA judges are among the most demanding in the reading world, and nobody gets these nominations without having written an AMAZING book! (I have to say, my packet of Golden Heart entries were REALLY strong, so strong I had to remind myself I wasn’t reading RITA entries, and I still can’t quite get my mind around the fact that none of them made the cut. So…wow!! The finalists must be fantastic!!)  New Golden Heart...