C.J. Petterson's Blog: Book launch scheduled, page 4
March 31, 2024
A day to celebrate miracles
cj Sez: Wishing you aBlessed and Happy Easter.
MORE THAN 2,000 YEARS AGO,
JESUS CELEBRATED PASSOVER WITHHIS DISCIPLES.
TODAYCHRISTIANS CELEBRATE EASTER
WITH JESUS, THE RISEN SAVIOR.
I wish you the Gift of Faith
The Blessing of Hope
And a Life filled with Love . . .
March 17, 2024
A week of celebrations
cj Sez: Today, March 17, is the start of a week of celebrations: St. Patrick's Day—a day when everyone can claim to be Irish. Wishing you a safe and happy St.Patrick’s Day.
§§
The next celebration onthe calendar is the arrival of Spring. It may or may not feel like it where youare right now, but I’m here to inform you that Spring arrives on March 19. Well then, my questionis, can mosquitos be far behind? If you live where I do, they’re already here.
Now for the science behind the changing of the season:
The vernal equinoxis not a “solstice". The winter solstice is the shortestday of the year, and the summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
An equinox occurs twotimes every year—March and September—when the Earth’s axis is tiltedneither toward nor away from the sun. It’s that instant of time when the planeof Earth’s equator passes through the center of the sun. That’s when the sunshines directly on the equator and the lengths of day and night are nearlyequal.
Seasons are reversedon either side of the Equator. The equinox in September in the NorthernHemisphere is called the autumnal (Fall) equinox, but it’s the vernal (Spring)equinox in the Southern hemisphere.(Source Attribution: Various Google sites)
§§
I'm thinking there must be astory in there somewhere. Here’s the story prompt: What if the instant the equinox occurred could trigger some kind of awful device that put all ofearth in jeopardy? What if the world powers have hired the protagonist to findthe person(s) holding the earth ransom, but he has only a few short days toprevent Armageddon? The characters can be in any country in the world.
§§
The Mobile LiteraryFestival at the Ben May Main Library is the place to be on Saturday, March 23,2024. Come on down to see what’s going on at this FREE event.
Here’s a copy of theschedule so you can pre-plan your day.
Check out the names of the prestigiouspresenters on the schedule—everyone from a NYT best-selling author to aHarper Lee Award winner to a State of Alabama former PoetLaureate.
And it’s an open-house kind of event, so come and go asyou please.
P.S. The HauntedBook Shop will have a pop-up sales store (including some of my stories), andsome local authors will be in attendance to sign your purchase.
§§
Writers, published and unpublished, take note:
On Jane Friedman’sblog, the latest post by author Amy L. Bernstein makes “The Case for Pursuing aTraditional Publishing Deal Without an Agent.”
“But, dear authors, securing an agent is not the only pathto getting happily published (outside of self-publishing).”
Read more here: https://janefriedman.com/the-case-for-pursuing-a-traditional-publishing-deal-without-an-agent
§§
You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
TO ORDER on linefrom The Haunted Book Shop, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us . Tell them if you’d like a signed copy, andI’ll run down and personalize it for you.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
§§
The next celebration onthe calendar is the arrival of Spring. It may or may not feel like it where youare right now, but I’m here to inform you that Spring arrives on March 19. Well then, my questionis, can mosquitos be far behind? If you live where I do, they’re already here.
Now for the science behind the changing of the season:
The vernal equinoxis not a “solstice". The winter solstice is the shortestday of the year, and the summer solstice is the longest day of the year.
An equinox occurs twotimes every year—March and September—when the Earth’s axis is tiltedneither toward nor away from the sun. It’s that instant of time when the planeof Earth’s equator passes through the center of the sun. That’s when the sunshines directly on the equator and the lengths of day and night are nearlyequal.
Seasons are reversedon either side of the Equator. The equinox in September in the NorthernHemisphere is called the autumnal (Fall) equinox, but it’s the vernal (Spring)equinox in the Southern hemisphere.(Source Attribution: Various Google sites)
§§
I'm thinking there must be astory in there somewhere. Here’s the story prompt: What if the instant the equinox occurred could trigger some kind of awful device that put all ofearth in jeopardy? What if the world powers have hired the protagonist to findthe person(s) holding the earth ransom, but he has only a few short days toprevent Armageddon? The characters can be in any country in the world.
§§
Mobile and near-Mobile readers and writers: Save the Dateto celebrate:
The Mobile LiteraryFestival at the Ben May Main Library is the place to be on Saturday, March 23,2024. Come on down to see what’s going on at this FREE event.
Here’s a copy of theschedule so you can pre-plan your day.
Check out the names of the prestigiouspresenters on the schedule—everyone from a NYT best-selling author to aHarper Lee Award winner to a State of Alabama former PoetLaureate.
And it’s an open-house kind of event, so come and go asyou please.
P.S. The HauntedBook Shop will have a pop-up sales store (including some of my stories), andsome local authors will be in attendance to sign your purchase.
§§
Writers, published and unpublished, take note:
On Jane Friedman’sblog, the latest post by author Amy L. Bernstein makes “The Case for Pursuing aTraditional Publishing Deal Without an Agent.”
“But, dear authors, securing an agent is not the only pathto getting happily published (outside of self-publishing).”
Read more here: https://janefriedman.com/the-case-for-pursuing-a-traditional-publishing-deal-without-an-agent
§§
You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
TO ORDER on linefrom The Haunted Book Shop, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us . Tell them if you’d like a signed copy, andI’ll run down and personalize it for you.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
March 10, 2024
Simply a matter of delayed discipline
cj Sez: It used to be that I thought if I gave myself adeadline, I’d have the incentive to keep working hard on the WIPs I have on mycomputer. Found out that’s not true.
I manage to bury any deadlines under weeks ofwhat I have called “research.” It seems that the more I research,the less creativity I have. I’m getting bogged down in discovering fascinating facts,and the stories are suffering.
///
Speaking of research, I came across the word "bildungsroman"while I was spiraling down a research rabbit hole looking for more informationon coming-of-age stories. In literary criticism, a bildungsroman isa literary genre.
Buy Nigel Now
And speaking of bildungsroman: “The Apprenticeship of NigelBlackthorn” is a Western historical fiction coming-of-age story from authorFrank Kelso, a friend of mine.
Jane Friedman takesissue with a recent article at Vox that said: “With any book, but especiallynonfiction ones, publishers want a guarantee that a writer comes with abuilt-in audience of people who already read and support their work.” Ms.Friedman says it doesn’t hurt to have a platform, but it isn’t the all-end-all.
https://janefriedman.com/author-platform-is-not-a-requirement-to-sell-your-novel-or-childrens-book/
Here’s a copy of theschedule so you can pre-plan your day.
Check out the names of the prestigiouspresenters on the schedule—everyonefrom a NYT best-selling author to a Harper Lee Award winner to aState of Alabama former Poet Laureate.
And it’s an open-house kindof event, so come and go as you please.
cj
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page
➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
I manage to bury any deadlines under weeks ofwhat I have called “research.” It seems that the more I research,the less creativity I have. I’m getting bogged down in discovering fascinating facts,and the stories are suffering.
///
Speaking of research, I came across the word "bildungsroman"while I was spiraling down a research rabbit hole looking for more informationon coming-of-age stories. In literary criticism, a bildungsroman isa literary genre.
(Source: https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bildungsroman)
§§
Buy Nigel Now
And speaking of bildungsroman: “The Apprenticeship of NigelBlackthorn” is a Western historical fiction coming-of-age story from authorFrank Kelso, a friend of mine.In 1853 Texas, thirteen-year-old Nigel Blackthorn is thespoiled son of a Protestant preacher. When his missionary family fall victimsto a Comanche attack, his easy childhood crumbles in an instant. How will hefind the grit to survive?
§§
Jane Friedman takesissue with a recent article at Vox that said: “With any book, but especiallynonfiction ones, publishers want a guarantee that a writer comes with abuilt-in audience of people who already read and support their work.” Ms.Friedman says it doesn’t hurt to have a platform, but it isn’t the all-end-all.
https://janefriedman.com/author-platform-is-not-a-requirement-to-sell-your-novel-or-childrens-book/
§§
Here’s a copy of theschedule so you can pre-plan your day. Check out the names of the prestigiouspresenters on the schedule—everyonefrom a NYT best-selling author to a Harper Lee Award winner to aState of Alabama former Poet Laureate.
And it’s an open-house kindof event, so come and go as you please.
cj
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page
➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor
➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson
➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
March 3, 2024
Winter is warming
cj Sez: Lyrical Pens readers, take heart. I have proof Springis about to get sprung. In the midst ofa dreary day in my yard yesterday morning, I found ample evidence that winteris warming into spring. There, just there, at the edge of my “eyebrow garden” .. .
§§
Writers Alert:
If you’re selfpublished, you might want to look into this Writer’s Digest competition (Info fromtheir website):
"Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published Book Awards is nowaccepting submissions. This is the only Writer’s Digest competition exclusivelyfor self-published books. Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-timefreelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premierself-published competition exclusively for self-published books."
https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards
///
Tropes: Hate ‘em, love ‘em, or meh, who cares? Everyone hasan opinion. What’s yours?
A recent post on Jane Friedman’s blog by romance author andbook coach TrishaJenn Loehr (@trishajennreads) delves deeper into the discussion.
https://janefriedman.com/tropes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
§§
Mobile and near-Mobile readers and writers:
Mark your calendarsfor Saturday, March 23, SAVE THE DATE, and come on down to the place to be …
Best of all, the awesome Mobile Literary Festival is FREE.
And here’s the schedule so you can pre-plan your day.
At this one-dayconference published authors will present panels on character development,setting, marketing, and plotting. The Haunted Book Shop will hold a pop-upsales store (including some of my stories), and some local authors will be inattendance to sign your purchase.
§§
My Covid update: I’m feelingblessed. My bout of Covid turned out to be mild—now over and done. I’ll be backin the gym come Monday morning, working to re-new my energy. (yay) You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock (and they’ll have more atthe Mobile Literary Festival). TO ORDER on line, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us .
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
§§
Writers Alert:
If you’re selfpublished, you might want to look into this Writer’s Digest competition (Info fromtheir website):
"Writer’s Digest’s Self-Published Book Awards is nowaccepting submissions. This is the only Writer’s Digest competition exclusivelyfor self-published books. Whether you’re a professional writer, a part-timefreelancer or a self-starting student, here’s your chance to enter the premierself-published competition exclusively for self-published books."
https://www.writersdigest.com/writers-digest-competitions/self-published-book-awards
///
Tropes: Hate ‘em, love ‘em, or meh, who cares? Everyone hasan opinion. What’s yours?
A recent post on Jane Friedman’s blog by romance author andbook coach TrishaJenn Loehr (@trishajennreads) delves deeper into the discussion.
https://janefriedman.com/tropes-the-good-the-bad-and-the-ugly/
§§
Mobile and near-Mobile readers and writers:
Mark your calendarsfor Saturday, March 23, SAVE THE DATE, and come on down to the place to be …
Best of all, the awesome Mobile Literary Festival is FREE.
And here’s the schedule so you can pre-plan your day.
At this one-dayconference published authors will present panels on character development,setting, marketing, and plotting. The Haunted Book Shop will hold a pop-upsales store (including some of my stories), and some local authors will be inattendance to sign your purchase.
For more informationand to learn more about the panelists, click this link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/§§
My Covid update: I’m feelingblessed. My bout of Covid turned out to be mild—now over and done. I’ll be backin the gym come Monday morning, working to re-new my energy. (yay) You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock (and they’ll have more atthe Mobile Literary Festival). TO ORDER on line, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us .
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 25, 2024
Things to do coming soon
cj Sez: Let’s get to the Important News first: Local ornear-local readers and writers, mark your calendars for Saturday, March 23. SAVETHE DATE, and come on down to the place to be . . .
At this one-dayconference held at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’Guild, published authors will present panels on character development, setting,marketing, and plotting. The Haunted Book Shop will hold a pop-up sales store,and some of your favorite local authors will be in attendance to sign yourpurchase.
For moreinformation, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival
§§
A reminder (From a dot com news article.*) :
Hey, all you local Mobile-areapeeps and post-Mardi Gras revelers! There’s a way you can put all the shinyMardi Gras beads you snagged at the parades to good use, and it’s a two-fer: You can give back to thecommunity and get rewarded with a sweet treat at the same time.
On March 2 andMarch 3, bring 12 pounds of Mardi Gras beads (the article said "about agrocery bagful") to Augusta Evans School (6301 Biloxi Ave.) and get aKrispy Kreme coupon good for a dozen original glazed donuts. Augusta Evans studentsget the beads ready for resale, and the proceeds help support programs at thespecial needs school.
(* https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/02/15/augusta-evans-school-krispy-kreme-partner-beads-doughnuts-program/)
§§
There are noabsolutes in writing (my words), and I just found a bit of support for that commentin a recent post by author Randall Silvis on Jane Friedman’s blog. Read on: https://janefriedman.com/writing-rules-that-beg-to-be-broken/
§§
Health follow-up: SonJeff bested his Covid bug and is doing fine. I, however, did test positive forCovid . . . actually turned out to be one of my birthday presents . . . and Iam now in quarantine. According to CDC guidelines, if all continues as it has(praying it does), I should be “free to move about” the world in a couple moredays.
You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us ➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
At this one-dayconference held at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’Guild, published authors will present panels on character development, setting,marketing, and plotting. The Haunted Book Shop will hold a pop-up sales store,and some of your favorite local authors will be in attendance to sign yourpurchase.
Best of all, theamazing Mobile Literary Festival is FREE.
For moreinformation, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival
§§
A reminder (From a dot com news article.*) :
Hey, all you local Mobile-areapeeps and post-Mardi Gras revelers! There’s a way you can put all the shinyMardi Gras beads you snagged at the parades to good use, and it’s a two-fer: You can give back to thecommunity and get rewarded with a sweet treat at the same time.
On March 2 andMarch 3, bring 12 pounds of Mardi Gras beads (the article said "about agrocery bagful") to Augusta Evans School (6301 Biloxi Ave.) and get aKrispy Kreme coupon good for a dozen original glazed donuts. Augusta Evans studentsget the beads ready for resale, and the proceeds help support programs at thespecial needs school.
(* https://www.fox10tv.com/2024/02/15/augusta-evans-school-krispy-kreme-partner-beads-doughnuts-program/)
§§
There are noabsolutes in writing (my words), and I just found a bit of support for that commentin a recent post by author Randall Silvis on Jane Friedman’s blog. Read on: https://janefriedman.com/writing-rules-that-beg-to-be-broken/
§§
Health follow-up: SonJeff bested his Covid bug and is doing fine. I, however, did test positive forCovid . . . actually turned out to be one of my birthday presents . . . and Iam now in quarantine. According to CDC guidelines, if all continues as it has(praying it does), I should be “free to move about” the world in a couple moredays.
You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
For your to-be-readstack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced,thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance. The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us ➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 18, 2024
Call for applications
cj Sez: Sisters in Crime is accepting applications for their 2024 Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime FictionWriters of Color Award.
The Eleanor Taylor Bland grant isadministered by Sisters in Crime, a 4000+ member internationalorganization of mystery authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers andlibrarians.
The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award is an annualgrant of $2,000 for an emerging writer of color.
You do NOT have to be a memberof Sisters in Crime to submit an application. This grant is intended to support the recipient in crime fiction writing andcareer development activities. The grantee may choose to use the grant foractivities that include workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats, onlinecourses, and research activities required for completion of the work.
For complete details on thee award and the process of submission, go to:
https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/EleanorTaylorBland §§
For readers and writers:
Mark your calendarsand SAVE THE DATE . . .
. . . for an upcoming one-day reader andwriter event—The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library inconjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will presentpanels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. Pick up abook and have it signed by the author!
And best of all, this amazing literaryfestival is FREE. For more information, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/
§§
Okay, that’s it fortoday's abbreviated post . . . lots of life taking my mind in anotherdirection—son Jeff wasdiagnosed with Covid after spending two days being the official photographerfor a couple of Mardi Gras krewes events. I tested negative but will need to do thatagain in a couple of days.
You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
VALENTINE’S DAY PIECES, A Mobile Writers Guild anthology. Availablefor $1.99 on Kindle at the time of this post:
Filled with wonderful short stories and poems perfect forevery day of the year.
BuyValentine’s Day Now
Also for yourto-be-read stack:
My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance.
The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer andbookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
If they happen to be sold out, shoot me anemail for a personalized copy. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping).
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
The Eleanor Taylor Bland grant isadministered by Sisters in Crime, a 4000+ member internationalorganization of mystery authors, readers, publishers, agents, booksellers andlibrarians.
“Submissions Now Open through March 31st!
The Eleanor Taylor Bland Crime Fiction Writers of Color Award is an annualgrant of $2,000 for an emerging writer of color.
You do NOT have to be a memberof Sisters in Crime to submit an application. This grant is intended to support the recipient in crime fiction writing andcareer development activities. The grantee may choose to use the grant foractivities that include workshops, seminars, conferences, and retreats, onlinecourses, and research activities required for completion of the work.
For complete details on thee award and the process of submission, go to:
https://www.sistersincrime.org/page/EleanorTaylorBland §§
For readers and writers:
Mark your calendarsand SAVE THE DATE . . .
. . . for an upcoming one-day reader andwriter event—The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library inconjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will presentpanels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. Pick up abook and have it signed by the author!
And best of all, this amazing literaryfestival is FREE. For more information, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/
§§
Okay, that’s it fortoday's abbreviated post . . . lots of life taking my mind in anotherdirection—son Jeff wasdiagnosed with Covid after spending two days being the official photographerfor a couple of Mardi Gras krewes events. I tested negative but will need to do thatagain in a couple of days.
You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safeyou and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
VALENTINE’S DAY PIECES, A Mobile Writers Guild anthology. Availablefor $1.99 on Kindle at the time of this post:
Filled with wonderful short stories and poems perfect forevery day of the year.
BuyValentine’s Day Now
Also for yourto-be-read stack:
My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a touch of romance.
The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer andbookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted BookShop has signed copies of my paperback books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
If they happen to be sold out, shoot me anemail for a personalized copy. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping).
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 11, 2024
Quiz: And the day before Lent is called . . . ?
cj Sez: After weeks of parades with brilliant kaleidoscopefloats, wonderful cacophonies of marching bands, and thousands of carnival throws,the revelry all comes to an end on February 13—Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday/ShroveTuesday, the day before the start of Lent, Ash Wednesday.
Plush toys, shiny beads, and tasty Moon Pies are thefavorite things masked krewe members throw from their parade floats to the outstretchedhands of excited revelers.
Knights of Revelry Krewe
What is a krewe you ask?
Krewes are clubs or organizationsthat exist to celebrate carnival. They introduce their ceremonial kings, queens,and royal courts at elegant formal balls.
Little history lesson:
“Mardi Gras” is French for "FatTuesday." In Mobile, AL, however, Mardi Gras has evolved beyonda one-day celebration into a weeks-long carnival that begins on January 6. NewOrleans’ claims notwithstanding, Mobile is the birthplace of America's originalMardi Gras.
The first celebration took place in 1703 and was revived after theCivil War when Mobilian Joe Cain, dressed as his imagined Indian Chief namedSlacabamorinico, paraded through city streets. (unknown photographer,photo in public domain)
When I lived in Detroit, Mardi Gras was a one-day affairthat many in the area called Pączki Day. Pączki (pronounced"punch-kee" or "ponch-kee") are Polish pillows of pastrywith a variety of possible fillings—my favorite was cherry. Detroiters lined up outside of bakeries to buy dozens of the special treats on Fat Tuesday.
A generous co-worker in the office nextto mine would get up at 5 a.m. to make a paczki run to his favorite bakery in the Polish community of Hamtramck where he might have to wait in line in sub-zero weather, in the snow, barefoot (ha ha, not) for up to an hour to bring in several boxes of goodness for the crew (that part is true).
§§
For readers and writers:
Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 .. .
for the upcoming one-day reader and writer event—The Mobile LiteraryFestival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’Guild. Published authors will present panels on character development, setting,marketing, and plotting. Pick up a book and have it signed by the author! Andbest of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. For more information,click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/
*** Which is the correct spelling: “gray” or “grey”? Well, itdepends… on where you live and how the word/spelling is used. Find out morehere: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/gray-grey/
§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you andyours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
Mardi Gras season is alive and well in Mobile. Laissez les bons temps rouler
Available! These two Mobile Writers Guild anthologies are filledwith wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days. They each have a theme, but the content is perfect for any day of the year.
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperbackbooks in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
If they happen to be sold out, tell them you want a signed copy and I'll run down to the shop and sign one. Or shoot me anemail. I have a small stash.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
Plush toys, shiny beads, and tasty Moon Pies are thefavorite things masked krewe members throw from their parade floats to the outstretchedhands of excited revelers.
Knights of Revelry Krewe
What is a krewe you ask?
Krewes are clubs or organizationsthat exist to celebrate carnival. They introduce their ceremonial kings, queens,and royal courts at elegant formal balls.
Little history lesson:
“Mardi Gras” is French for "FatTuesday." In Mobile, AL, however, Mardi Gras has evolved beyonda one-day celebration into a weeks-long carnival that begins on January 6. NewOrleans’ claims notwithstanding, Mobile is the birthplace of America's originalMardi Gras.
The first celebration took place in 1703 and was revived after theCivil War when Mobilian Joe Cain, dressed as his imagined Indian Chief namedSlacabamorinico, paraded through city streets. (unknown photographer,photo in public domain)
When I lived in Detroit, Mardi Gras was a one-day affairthat many in the area called Pączki Day. Pączki (pronounced"punch-kee" or "ponch-kee") are Polish pillows of pastrywith a variety of possible fillings—my favorite was cherry. Detroiters lined up outside of bakeries to buy dozens of the special treats on Fat Tuesday.
A generous co-worker in the office nextto mine would get up at 5 a.m. to make a paczki run to his favorite bakery in the Polish community of Hamtramck where he might have to wait in line in sub-zero weather, in the snow, barefoot (ha ha, not) for up to an hour to bring in several boxes of goodness for the crew (that part is true).
§§
For readers and writers:
Mark your calendars and SAVE THE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 .. .
for the upcoming one-day reader and writer event—The Mobile LiteraryFestival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction with the Mobile Writers’Guild. Published authors will present panels on character development, setting,marketing, and plotting. Pick up a book and have it signed by the author! Andbest of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. For more information,click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/
*** Which is the correct spelling: “gray” or “grey”? Well, itdepends… on where you live and how the word/spelling is used. Find out morehere: https://www.grammarly.com/blog/gray-grey/
§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you andyours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
Mardi Gras season is alive and well in Mobile. Laissez les bons temps rouler
Available! These two Mobile Writers Guild anthologies are filledwith wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days. They each have a theme, but the content is perfect for any day of the year.
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR andDEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banterand a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through yourfavorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooksfree from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperbackbooks in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
If they happen to be sold out, tell them you want a signed copy and I'll run down to the shop and sign one. Or shoot me anemail. I have a small stash.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
February 4, 2024
Info, smiles, and truisms
cj Sez: I know. I’m supposed to post an interesting andinformative blog for our Lyrical Pens followers. I thought I had this week’spost almost done, except for the art, and procrastinated finishing it (or Icould blame the cats who insist on sitting in my lap, which means I cannot moveuntil they do).
Upon re-reading the work I’d done, I decided the info wasbetter suited for next week. So today, I’ll pass along some smiles and truismsthat show up with regularity on my Facebook page.***I am a multitasking procrastinator. I can put off several things at once.*** Noun-verb agreements: I write. You write. He writes. She writes. They write. We all revise.***It’s funny how Red, White, and Blue represent freedom . . .until they’re flashing behind you.***A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.***I am a professional writer. I can tell lies with a straightface. But I’m a piker when it comes to atoms. You can’t trust them. They makeup everything. ***Martin Rooney: “Your life will not be measured by the thingsyou started but by the few you finished.”***Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.***At two a.m.: "I need to stop, I whispered to myself as Istarted another chapter." (cj Sez: That’s the book I hope to write one day.)***I am currently unsupervised. I know. It freaks me out, too .. . but the possibilities are endless!***Diablo Cody: “I don’t have a formal rewrite process. I justcompulsively groom and re-groom scenes like a cat with OCD.” (cj Sez: My method exactly.)***We are all precious in the sight of the Lord. He may shake His head a lot, but we’re still precious.
§§
For readers and writers: Mark your calendars and SAVETHE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 . . . for an upcoming one-day reader and writerevent—
The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library inconjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will presentpanels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. You’ll havethe opportunity to purchase a book and have it signed by the author! And bestof all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. For more information, clickthis link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/
§§ For grins:
“Let me know how that works out.”
“The difference between genius and stupid is that genius hasits limits.” Albert Einstein
§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you andyours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:Available! Two Mobile Writers Guild PIECES anthologies filledwith wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days.
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Everyone from Mobile, Alabama, has a Mardi Gras story. In MARDIGRAS PIECES, the second installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Piecesanthology series, Guild members share their stories—some true, some fictional,some funny, some touching, and some downright chilling.
So don your beads, deckyourself out in purple, gold, and green, grab a Moon Pie, and relax while you readMARDI GRAS PIECES to enjoy a little bit of the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition. Laissez les bons temps rouler
Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR andDEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with a strong female protagonist, sassy banter, and a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through yourfavorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooksfree from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperbackbooks in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us If they happen to be sold out, shoot me anemail. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
Upon re-reading the work I’d done, I decided the info wasbetter suited for next week. So today, I’ll pass along some smiles and truismsthat show up with regularity on my Facebook page.***I am a multitasking procrastinator. I can put off several things at once.*** Noun-verb agreements: I write. You write. He writes. She writes. They write. We all revise.***It’s funny how Red, White, and Blue represent freedom . . .until they’re flashing behind you.***A child who reads will be an adult who thinks.***I am a professional writer. I can tell lies with a straightface. But I’m a piker when it comes to atoms. You can’t trust them. They makeup everything. ***Martin Rooney: “Your life will not be measured by the thingsyou started but by the few you finished.”***Every accomplishment starts with the decision to try.***At two a.m.: "I need to stop, I whispered to myself as Istarted another chapter." (cj Sez: That’s the book I hope to write one day.)***I am currently unsupervised. I know. It freaks me out, too .. . but the possibilities are endless!***Diablo Cody: “I don’t have a formal rewrite process. I justcompulsively groom and re-groom scenes like a cat with OCD.” (cj Sez: My method exactly.)***We are all precious in the sight of the Lord. He may shake His head a lot, but we’re still precious.
§§
For readers and writers: Mark your calendars and SAVETHE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 . . . for an upcoming one-day reader and writerevent—
The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library inconjunction with the Mobile Writers’ Guild. Published authors will presentpanels on character development, setting, marketing, and plotting. You’ll havethe opportunity to purchase a book and have it signed by the author! And bestof all, this amazing literary festival is FREE. For more information, clickthis link:
https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/
§§ For grins:
“Let me know how that works out.”
“The difference between genius and stupid is that genius hasits limits.” Albert Einstein
§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you andyours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:Available! Two Mobile Writers Guild PIECES anthologies filledwith wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days.
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Everyone from Mobile, Alabama, has a Mardi Gras story. In MARDIGRAS PIECES, the second installment of the Mobile Writers Guild Piecesanthology series, Guild members share their stories—some true, some fictional,some funny, some touching, and some downright chilling.
So don your beads, deckyourself out in purple, gold, and green, grab a Moon Pie, and relax while you readMARDI GRAS PIECES to enjoy a little bit of the Mobile Mardi Gras tradition. Laissez les bons temps rouler
Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR andDEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with a strong female protagonist, sassy banter, and a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through yourfavorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooksfree from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperbackbooks in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us If they happen to be sold out, shoot me anemail. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
January 28, 2024
Mobile Literary Festival
cj Sez: For readers and writers: Mark your calendars and
SAVE THE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 . . .
for an upcoming one-day reader and writerevent—The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction withthe Mobile Writers Guild. Published authors will present panels on characterdevelopment, setting, marketing, and plotting. You can also purchase a book and have itsigned by the author! And best of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE.
Formore information, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/ §§
Here’s a perspective I hadn’t thought of, though I’d like tothink this truth was swirling around somewhere in the back of my mind: “Mystery, thriller, and suspense (MTS) stories are thevillain’s story, as told and perceived by the protagonist.”
Author and bookcoach Samantha Skal dives into ideating twists that work when writingthriller and mystery stories. To read more of her post on Jane Friedman’s blog,click the link here: https://janefriedman.com/designing-thriller-and-mystery-twists-that-work/ §§
I know, I know. The first day of spring is about two monthsaway in the Northern Hemisphere, but I’m antsy so I wanted you to know that U.S.and Canadian Coast Guard ice cutters are getting ready to clear the shippinglanes in the Great Lakes.
Makes me feel happier already. On Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024,the U.S. Coast Guard announced the annual onset of icebreaking in the lowerGreat Lakes. According to their press release, they gave the task the tongue-in-cheekname of Operation Coal Shovels. The picture (left) shows U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers inoperation as seen from the cutter Mackinaw.
(On a side note re the cutter Mackinaw: The name of the five-mile-long“Mighty Mac” bridge connecting Michigan’s peninsulas is spelled Mackinac yetstill pronounced “mackinaw.” The Mackinac spelling is from the Mackinac Bandsof Chippewa and Ottawa Indians. a state recognized tribe of Ojibwe and OdawaNative Americans who called the area Michilimackinac.
The Mackinac Bridge
The spelling was shortenedto Mackinac and pronounced “Mackinaw” by the French who settled in the area. That’smy Googled history lesson for the day.)
All those wintery-gray months of ice and snow helpedconvince me to move from Michigan to the Gulf Coast, and what a difference 1,200or so miles makes.
The picture (left) is of about 50 feet of my side yard inMobile. Son Jeff took the photo last February.
I’m hoping for the same kaleidoscope of color this year (“hoping”because we suffered a severe summer drought).§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you andyours.
cj Now some words from my sponsors:
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Available! Two Mobile Writers Guild anthologies filled with wonderfulshort stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days. Mardi Gras seasonis alive and well in Mobile, with parades and moon pies bringing crowds todowntown streets. Laissez les bons temps rouler
Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR andDEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banterand a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through yourfavorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooksfree from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperbackbooks in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
If they happen to be sold out, shoot me anemail. I have a small stash available for a discounted price plus shipping.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
SAVE THE DATE. . . March 23, 2024 . . . for an upcoming one-day reader and writerevent—The Mobile Literary Festival at Mobile’s Ben May Library in conjunction withthe Mobile Writers Guild. Published authors will present panels on characterdevelopment, setting, marketing, and plotting. You can also purchase a book and have itsigned by the author! And best of all, this amazing literary festival is FREE.
Formore information, click this link: https://www.facebook.com/groups/MobileLiteraryFestival/ §§
Here’s a perspective I hadn’t thought of, though I’d like tothink this truth was swirling around somewhere in the back of my mind: “Mystery, thriller, and suspense (MTS) stories are thevillain’s story, as told and perceived by the protagonist.”
Author and bookcoach Samantha Skal dives into ideating twists that work when writingthriller and mystery stories. To read more of her post on Jane Friedman’s blog,click the link here: https://janefriedman.com/designing-thriller-and-mystery-twists-that-work/ §§
I know, I know. The first day of spring is about two monthsaway in the Northern Hemisphere, but I’m antsy so I wanted you to know that U.S.and Canadian Coast Guard ice cutters are getting ready to clear the shippinglanes in the Great Lakes.
Makes me feel happier already. On Thursday, Jan. 18, 2024,the U.S. Coast Guard announced the annual onset of icebreaking in the lowerGreat Lakes. According to their press release, they gave the task the tongue-in-cheekname of Operation Coal Shovels. The picture (left) shows U.S. Coast Guard icebreakers inoperation as seen from the cutter Mackinaw.
(On a side note re the cutter Mackinaw: The name of the five-mile-long“Mighty Mac” bridge connecting Michigan’s peninsulas is spelled Mackinac yetstill pronounced “mackinaw.” The Mackinac spelling is from the Mackinac Bandsof Chippewa and Ottawa Indians. a state recognized tribe of Ojibwe and OdawaNative Americans who called the area Michilimackinac.
The Mackinac Bridge
The spelling was shortenedto Mackinac and pronounced “Mackinaw” by the French who settled in the area. That’smy Googled history lesson for the day.)
All those wintery-gray months of ice and snow helpedconvince me to move from Michigan to the Gulf Coast, and what a difference 1,200or so miles makes.
The picture (left) is of about 50 feet of my side yard inMobile. Son Jeff took the photo last February.
I’m hoping for the same kaleidoscope of color this year (“hoping”because we suffered a severe summer drought).§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you andyours.
cj Now some words from my sponsors:
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Available! Two Mobile Writers Guild anthologies filled with wonderfulshort stories and poems to celebrate upcoming special days. Mardi Gras seasonis alive and well in Mobile, with parades and moon pies bringing crowds todowntown streets. Laissez les bons temps rouler
Also for your to-be-read stack: My novels, THE DAWGSTAR andDEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banterand a touch of romance. The books are available on Amazon or through yourfavorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooksfree from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperbackbooks in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us
If they happen to be sold out, shoot me anemail. I have a small stash available for a discounted price plus shipping.
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
January 21, 2024
The devil is in the details
cj Sez: My first drafts are crappy and sparse,mainly for two reasons: First, I was once a corporate journalist/editor withlimited line space, and second, I got turned on to creative writing by ascreenwriter.
I often get criticized for my lack of details, but once I’mfinished with the first go-through, my editing process expands on details ofthe five senses…hear, see, taste, smell, feel… and the characters’ state ofmind.
I do incorporate some action descriptors, but I consider toomany of them stage direction. Some writers use them to “tell” their readers whatthe author means or as a way to add words to a short manuscript.
Action needs to have purpose. If describing an actiondoesn't contribute to the reader's knowledge of the character, scene conflict,or mood, then it’s stage direction. Because I write mostly suspense andthrillers, I have a minimalist approach to action … using few words speeds upthe pace and heightens the tension. On the other hand, readers of cozymysteries or more narrative-based novels want (and expect) to know everydetail.
Describing action is a good way to control the pace of yournovel. Even in suspense and thrillers, there are places where the reader needsa respite from the action. These would be the spots where I add more detail…orbeats as authors call them. Places where I can reveal more of the characters’ growth, i.e., transformation,as the plot progresses.
Hint: Adding detail words slows the pace; beingstingy speeds it up.
When action is needed to set some mood for the scene, thenyes, I detail the action. Sometimes I add details to slow the action andincrease the tension. If I want a character to give the reader a sense ofimpending danger and fear, then I add more description to the action. Itend to follow the lead of my favorite authors...Robert Parker, Stephen King,James Lee Burke... their succinct style of writing is what I like to read, andit is this reader who is my target market. Be sure you have identified who that is.
Hint: Write for your target market what you like to read.
Fiction, non-fiction, whatever the genre, eachhas a different set of “rules” because the readers have different expectationsand wants. The key is to write for your target market . . . and make that thegenre you read and analyze. Over time, the structure of the genre will likely becomesecond nature. If you have any questions or more info to add to this post,please leave a comment. Lyrical Pens would love to hear from you.
§§
For readers and writers . . . Benefits of reading: https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-reading-books
§§
Here’s an explanation of when to use use or used (love thatusage): https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/use-to-or-used-to/
§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Available through your favorite book seller! Two fabulous Mobile Writers Guild anthologies with avariety of wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming specialdays. (P.S Mardi Gras celebrations have already started in Mobile. Krewe de laDauphine’s parade rolled through Dauphin Island on Jan. 13. Laissez les bons temps rouler)
My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen ofromance. The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer andbookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback booksin stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us If she happens to be sold out, shoot me anemail. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping).
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
I often get criticized for my lack of details, but once I’mfinished with the first go-through, my editing process expands on details ofthe five senses…hear, see, taste, smell, feel… and the characters’ state ofmind.
I do incorporate some action descriptors, but I consider toomany of them stage direction. Some writers use them to “tell” their readers whatthe author means or as a way to add words to a short manuscript.
Action needs to have purpose. If describing an actiondoesn't contribute to the reader's knowledge of the character, scene conflict,or mood, then it’s stage direction. Because I write mostly suspense andthrillers, I have a minimalist approach to action … using few words speeds upthe pace and heightens the tension. On the other hand, readers of cozymysteries or more narrative-based novels want (and expect) to know everydetail.
Describing action is a good way to control the pace of yournovel. Even in suspense and thrillers, there are places where the reader needsa respite from the action. These would be the spots where I add more detail…orbeats as authors call them. Places where I can reveal more of the characters’ growth, i.e., transformation,as the plot progresses.
Hint: Adding detail words slows the pace; beingstingy speeds it up.
When action is needed to set some mood for the scene, thenyes, I detail the action. Sometimes I add details to slow the action andincrease the tension. If I want a character to give the reader a sense ofimpending danger and fear, then I add more description to the action. Itend to follow the lead of my favorite authors...Robert Parker, Stephen King,James Lee Burke... their succinct style of writing is what I like to read, andit is this reader who is my target market. Be sure you have identified who that is.
Hint: Write for your target market what you like to read.
When I write, I take my cues from screenwriting, except I’mthe actor. Since internal dialogue doesn’t convert easily o the movie screen, Itend to develop most of the characterizations within action. I step through thescene in my mind and react to the events as my characters would, physically andmentally. I can do that because I know their personalities well enough to knowwhat they would do in a given situation.
I know them because I createbackstory/biographies for each of them. I want my readers to identify thecharacter more by what s/he does and says rather than what I might tell them(aka author intrusion).
Fiction, non-fiction, whatever the genre, eachhas a different set of “rules” because the readers have different expectationsand wants. The key is to write for your target market . . . and make that thegenre you read and analyze. Over time, the structure of the genre will likely becomesecond nature. If you have any questions or more info to add to this post,please leave a comment. Lyrical Pens would love to hear from you.
§§
For readers and writers . . . Benefits of reading: https://www.webmd.com/balance/health-benefits-of-reading-books
§§
Here’s an explanation of when to use use or used (love thatusage): https://www.thesaurus.com/e/grammar/use-to-or-used-to/
§§
Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep on keeping on,and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you and yours.
cj
Now some words from my sponsors:
Buy Valentine’s Day Now
Buy Mardi Gras Now
Available through your favorite book seller! Two fabulous Mobile Writers Guild anthologies with avariety of wonderful short stories and poems to celebrate upcoming specialdays. (P.S Mardi Gras celebrations have already started in Mobile. Krewe de laDauphine’s parade rolled through Dauphin Island on Jan. 13. Laissez les bons temps rouler)
My novels, THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen ofromance. The books are available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer andbookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has signed copies of my paperback booksin stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us If she happens to be sold out, shoot me anemail. I have a small stash (for a discounted price plus shipping).
➜ Follow me on . . . ➜ Amazon: AmazonCentral Author Page➜ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor➜ BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/cj-petterson➜ Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3fcN3h6
Book launch scheduled
DEADLY STAR is scheduled to launch on Feb. 18. You can't tell from this type font, but I'm excited!
DEADLY STAR is about a vaguely dysfunctional couple who, when sharing an imminent danger, find common ...more
DEADLY STAR is about a vaguely dysfunctional couple who, when sharing an imminent danger, find common ...more
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