S.M. Stevens's Blog, page 17
September 4, 2020
Fun Photo Friday: Pink Bathroom Stalls
It’s Friday, and time for a Fun Photo! I snapped this shot of pink bathroom stalls months ago, pre-coronavirus of course, at a local cinema.
Not sure why this somewhat blurry photo makes me happy, or what that says about me, but there you have it.
Art is in the eye of the beholder. 
September 1, 2020
Sneak Peek of New Characters
I am deep into the writing of my next novel (title TBD) and thought I would share with you my list of main characters. It has an “ensemble cast” of people in their late twenties.
Which one do you think you’ll relate to most?
Jessica, a straight woman of Colombian descent, who works in the corporate accounting office of a large real estate development companyCharley, a white woman of uncertain sexual orientation who manages a bookstoreSunny, a mixed-race, non-binary pansexual, who sells solar energy systemsBuwan, a straight, bipolar, Filipino-American artistXander, a white bisexual man who is a community organizer at an environmental nonprofitTerrance, a straight black man who is communications director at the same nonprofit as Xander.
Fun fact: Sunny is half black, half Indian. I made up that combination not knowing Kamala Harris has the same parentage.
As that line-up may have suggested, the book will deal with many of the social issues in America today. Like Horseshoes and Hand Grenades, my last novel, it will also entertain and includes lots of love, friendship and fun. In other words, it will reflect true life.
(The people in the photo look nothing like my characters but what are ya gonna do…)
The post Sneak Peek of New Characters appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
July 28, 2020
Life of a Writer: Midnight Inspiration
I think a lot of writers suffer from midnight inspiration, for better or worse. I’m almost done with the first act of my new manuscript (about a group of Millennials grappling with life’s choices and social justice issues), and am happy to report I’ve found a way to work with these sometimes unwelcome thoughts.
Typically, when I’m thick into the process of writing fiction, I wake at all hours of the night with an idea that must be written down lest I lose it. It might be a snatch of dialogue, the solution to a plot problem, an idea for an action scene, or some other tidbit that feels profound in the wee hours. I’m similarly afflicted when trying to get to sleep. My mind races, defying my tired body.
Maybe I’ve matured as a writer after five novels, or maybe I’m simply in better control of my thoughts now that I’m not working full-time. But I’m finding that when I wake in the night or can’t get to sleep because of book thoughts, I can turn off that part of my brain, essentially saving the thought for later.
I know that if I let the thought come to fruition, then I will have to write it down. Otherwise, the fully formed idea will disappear with the dawn if not sooner. But if I put the brakes on the thought and block it from developing, it goes back into the recesses of my brain to be revived at a more convenient time. This may not sound like a big deal but it’s exciting for me because it means I’m getting more sleep now!
The post Life of a Writer: Midnight Inspiration appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
July 24, 2020
How to Register for the 7/28 Virtual Reading
To register for my July 28th reading, click here. I’ll be reading from my novel Horseshoes and Hand Grenades and possibly reading a bit from my work-in-progress! (To learn more about the novel, click here.)
The first 10 people to register will win a free, signed copy of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades.
The virtual reading will take place via Zoom videoconference. You can disable your camera if you’re camera-shy. 
Fun Photo Friday: Tiny Butterfly
Pretty pictures of wildlife and nature always perk me up, but they’re even better when you take them yourself! So I bring you today’s Fun Photo Friday post:
I snapped this tiny butterfly feeding on a hot-pink coneflower in my small flower garden the other day. It looks a bit like the orange-and-black Monarch butterfly but much smaller, so maybe they’re related. I’ve never seen this type before. (If anyone knows what it is, please comment!)
Another fun aspect of this photo that others wouldn’t know unless I tell you is that I wasn’t sure these coneflowers were going to make it. I planted them about a month ago having divided up the bunch into several smaller plants. Apparently, you’re not supposed to do that! It was touch and go for a while, but they seem to be thriving now. Pfshew–another gardening misadventure averted.
July 17, 2020
Fun Photo Friday: Fat Cat
Coronavirus fatigue has set in, so it’s time to lighten the mood with another COVID-19 Fun Photo Friday.
The post Fun Photo Friday: Fat Cat appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
July 16, 2020
July 28 Virtual Author Reading
I’ll be reading from my novel Horseshoes and Hand Grenades and doing some Q&A this Tuesday, JULY 28, 2020 at 7:00 PM EST. Click here to register for the free Zoom event.
The virtual author reading was originally scheduled to take place at the Thirsty Lab in Princeton, Mass. but then coronavirus…
The event will be hosted by award-winning poet Susan Roney O’Brien and the Worcester County Poetry Association. Thank you to them!
The post July 28 Virtual Author Reading appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
July 14, 2020
Beautiful Friendships
Chuffed to share this new 5-star review of Horseshoes and Hand Grenades from goodreads:
[image error]
The post Beautiful Friendships appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
July 10, 2020
Fun Photo Friday: Clouds
Maybe it’s because we’re at 1,450 feet in elevation, or maybe it’s our proximity to a lake, but we get amazing cloud formations where I live. Here’s one I took recently as a storm was gathering, for this week’s Fun Photo Friday.
The post Fun Photo Friday: Clouds appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
July 7, 2020
People Reading More Books in COVID-19 Pandemic
Here’s something fun I discovered while running a small survey in conjunction with the 30 Days of Free Books giveaway program: A majority of Americans are spending more time reading books since the coronavirus pandemic began.
As those of you who entered to win books through 30 Days know, we asked entrants about their reading habits when you submitted your entries. Are you reading more books than before COVID-19, fewer books, or about the same?
We purposely asked about books, not reading in general. I expect the vast majority of people are reading more news articles to stay on top of the latest coronavirus updates. Asking about books seemed more appropriate for an author-led program.
The survey said that since the pandemic began:
58% of Americans spend more time reading books38% spend about the same amount of time reading booksOnly 4% spend less time reading books.
[image error](c) S.M. Stevens 2020
I assume those who are reading more books are finding themselves with more time on their hands due to reductions in their work hours. We can assume those who are reading fewer books are either busier than before–maybe healthcare workers, other front-line workers or parents homeschooling their kids; or maybe they are too focused on the pandemic to pick up a novel and lose themselves.
Whatever the reason, I consider people having more time to read books part of the silver lining of the crisis we find ourselves in, right up there with more quality family time and increased pet adoptions.
The post People Reading More Books in COVID-19 Pandemic appeared first on S.M. Stevens.
