Bev Pettersen's Blog, page 5
June 1, 2020
June Mentorship Monday!
Welcome to June! On the first Monday of the month, we throw the blog open to your questions. About writing, the industry, or how to manage a creative life in the middle of everything that’s happening. Our reality seems to keep getting more chaotic, but writers are still sitting down to try to put words together and put more love into the world. We’re in this together. So tell us what’s on your mind and some of the Rubies will drop by with their advice on how to navigate this crazy business...
May 28, 2020
FLASH FICTION FRIDAY!
Welcome to another edition of Flash Fiction Friday.
I found this gorgeous image and wanted to use it this week. Thus, IN 15 WORDS OR LESS, tell us your story!
Because I always tend to go to the dark side, here is mine:
A simple pact. I die first. He follows. He chickened out. Now I haunt.
One writer will win a digital copy of ANY RUBY BOOK!
Good luck, ink slingers!
May 26, 2020
Wordsmith Wednesday: Strong Opening Paragraphs
Welcome to another episode of Wordsmith Wednesday: Strong Opening Paragraphs! I’m your host, Tamara Hogan.
In this monthly feature, we analyze opening paragraphs from both published books and unpublished manuscripts.
Whether we’re talking about the opening paragraphs of a book, of a chapter, or of a scene, the author’s job is the same: ORIENT THE READER, QUICKLY. To me, this means being able to answer the following four questions in fairly short order:
Who’s the point of view character?
Where a...
May 24, 2020
What to do about THAT Scene
It’s brainstorming Monday, which means I’m on call to help you get unstuck. Whether you have a plot problem, a saggy middle, or you’ve hit a scene that you just can’t seem to finish, you can post a comment and I’ll provide some advice. Other posters will also (hopefully) chime in.
But in the meantime, while we’re waiting to see if there are any brainstorming questions this month, let’s go back to the that pesky scene that just isn’t inspiring you. Have you ever had this happen? You’re on fire, ...
May 21, 2020
FLASH FICTION FUN!
Since writing flash fiction is a fantastic way to hone those editing skills, how about we do something a little different today? How about we look at ways to cut nonessential ideas and tighten our prose to make our stories even stronger?
I did a quick (VERY quick) piece using the picture above.
Even in these modern times, the people in the village of Ipswich called her witch. Sorceress. Hag. There was nothing haggish about Samantha De la Croix...
May 19, 2020
Tips & Tricks – Motivating Ourselves to Write
Hello and welcome to Tips & Tricks with the Rubies!
So if you haven’t heard, there’s a pandemic going on. I know – crazy! The pandemic is affecting all sorts of things, including productivity.
For some writers, diving into their work has given them a wonderful escape, and their word counts are multiplying faster than the bunnies in my backyard. If you are one of those authors, this edition of Tips & Tricks is not for you, and I am very jealous of you right now.
For other writers , anxiety and d...
May 14, 2020
Flash Fiction Friday!
May 5, 2020
First Line Wednesday – Since we’re all staying home anyway…
LETS WATCH A MOVIE!!
I hope everyone is staying safe as much as is possible these days! One of the activities many people are listing as a lock down necessity is binge watching. Whether it be a favorite series, a series youve been meaning to watch, movies that have been forced to premiere online or old favorites this is a great activity for all of us. It is also a great activity for any writer looking to hook a reader from that very first page.
I am not saying every movie starts with a great...
May 4, 2020
Ruby Tuesday, this month with Heather McCollum – Print Books During a Pandemic
Hi Heather! Congrats on your new release!! Will you tell us a little about it?
Sure! Highland Conquest is the first book in my new Scottish historical romance series, The Sons of Sinclair. Within it, I am thrilled to introduce the four Sinclair brothers: Cain, Joshua, Gideon, and Bàs. Their father, having gone insane with the loss of his wife, raised his sons to believe they are the biblical four horsemen of the Apocalypse. Cain is the first horseman Conquest. Honing his skills as a...
Mentorship Monday – May Edition!
Hello, writer friends! Its that time again. The first Monday of the month when we throw the blog open for your questions about writing, publishing, and the burning questions that writers may have. Youve got questions, weve got opinions. And maybe even some decent advice?
So whats on your mind today?
