C.J. Petterson's Blog: Book launch scheduled, page 6

How whitespace affects reading

cj Sez: Since Halloween is only a couple of days away, here’syour next book to read:

  Perfect for the upcoming holiday: HALLOWEEN PIECES . . . Ananthology of 18 pieces of work by 17 authors

A short paranormal story I’m kind of proud of, “Once in aBlue Moon,” is included in this fourth installment of the Mobile WritersGuild anthology PIECES series. Paperback and ebook available. Kindle is $1.99.

 

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  Searching my archives for blog ideas, I came across this 2020post by Ellen Buikema on the Writers in the Storm blog. I am a big fan/followerof the concept for all of my writing and believe it’s worthy of sharing. Grantedmy excerpt from her post is directed more to formatters and self-publishers, butthe entire post speaks to presentations, too, whether as an author at aconference or in the business world conference rooms.
  Since creating presentations for senior management was partof my career in the automotive industry, I would add that for visual presentationsdon’t use small, thin, script fonts (need 20 point or greater) and don’t use pastelcolors for text or graphs. They’re almost invisible to anyone beyond the firstrow of your audience. 
  Read the full post by clicking on the link for Ellen’spost below.
Ellen Buikema wrote:
Like a pause in a song, white space can help create drama,emotion, a bit of quiet before a storm of words.
White space is the canvas where we paint our words.
Writers can affect readers with the use of white space in severalways.

1. White space draws the reader’s attentionto the words on the page, makes the print easier to read, and improvescomprehension.
2. Space on the page makes finding where the reader left offreading quick and easy.
3. Kerning, the space between letters, can change the lookof the print and add meaning. Just as using all capitals can be interpreted asyelling, extra space between letters may emphasize speaking words slowly. “Youneed to s  l  o  w  down.”  (cj Sez…Personally, I’d use this only in advertisingand poetry.)
4. The use of white space at the beginning and ending ofchapters gives the reader a visual break. Some writers and formatters choose tobegin a new chapter halfway down the page. Others like to start all chapters onthe right-hand side of the book for physical copies. A new chapter beginning onthe same page as the previous chapter looks like a formatting error.
5. Line spacing may be adjusted to fit next to or around aphoto or illustration, or from left to right margin across the page. Avoiding aline with the final word of a sentence dangling all by its lonesome self on thefollowing page is a good thing and can be done using line spacing as well askerning.
6. Blank pages are helpful in the case of an anthology ofshort stories, particularly if the spacing and word count send the ending ofone story onto the right-hand page. A blank side gives the reader emotionalspace to regroup for the next tale.
Ways to create white space: 1. The use of images surrounded by a margin of space:illustrations, icons, graphs, photos, all give the reader a brief rest and letthe mind focus on something different.
2. Bullet points and numbered lists make reading quicker,scan-able.
3. Variable sentence lengths make for more pleasurablereading. Too many long sentences in a row create blocky text. If you pause andgo back to a big block of text. it is really difficult to find one’s place.
4. Use shorter paragraphs. 
( Source: https://writersinthestormblog.com/2020/03/white-space-in-writing/)
§§
  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.
cj
Now a note from my sponsors:

  My novels THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen ofromance. (Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.)
  The books are available on Amazon or through your favoriteeTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free fromHoopla.
  Little note: When you shop The Haunted Book Shop, I can drop in and sign copiesof my books for you. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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

 

Are Writers' Conferences Worth It?

cj Sez: It’s been a while since I’ve traveled out-of-stateto a writer’s conference, but it’s not because I think I don’t need to attend since I’m already published.
  I’ll answer that question with a “yes, writers' conferences are worth it.” I always benefitfrom some nuggets of helpful advice/information at any conference. And networking with fellow authors is a major plus. For me, though,it’s a time and money thing. When I have the money, I can’t seem to break outthe time, and when I have the time, I’ve already spent my money on somethingelse. (sigh)
  That said, I thought making a conference plan for next year mighthelp. I’ve had my eye on the Mystery Writers of America Florida Chapter’sSleuthfest conference (www.sleuthfest.com).I’ve never been to this conference, and it’s about a day’s drive away from home.Bouchercon is another maybe go-to. Their 2024 conference is scheduled to be in Nashville,which is also a day’s drive. Do you have any other possibilities to share?
  Maybe I can call a trip to a conference a gift to me. MyChristmas and birthday presents all rolled up into one gift. If the stars alignjust right . . . just maybe.§§
For writers:
  Some Helpful Hints: https://janefriedman.com/what-it-means-to-make-your-story-relatable/
  A Little Nudge. . . The beginning of National Novel WritingMonth is nearly here (November 1). Get more info here: https://nanowrimo.org/ 

This is how you do it: you sit down at thekeyboard and you put one word after another until it’s done. It’s that easy,and that hard. — Neil Gaiman

  Getting ready to publish: After I take my manuscriptas far as I can (several edit cycles, a manuscript exchange with out-of-stateauthors that write in my genre, and if I’m really lucky, a beta reader), I needthe input of an expert, an editor, for her/his expertise in the character
developmentand plot enhancements that make the story work. Whether submitting queries to agentsor self-publishing, having the manuscript professionally edited is an essentialpart of the process. Do not skip that step.
§§
A review for readers (and writers because we are all readers):
Paradise Valley byUSAToday best-selling author RosanneBittner is not a new release but one that I happened across while doingresearch.
  The novel is historical fiction—a Western romance about Maggie McPhee Tucker andSage Lightfoot. Violated, battered, and widowed while on her way to Oregon,Maggie is determined to exact vengeance for her husband’s murder. Sage lets hertag along with him even though he has his doubts, but Maggie holds her own andthen some in untamed Wyoming in the mid-1880s.
  Ms. Bittner knows her historical facts but doesn’t beat thereader over the head with them. I particularly enjoyed the fast pace andconflict that were not interrupted by historical detail dumps that some writerspack into one complex sentence.
  I’m not into sappy romance stories with bleeding hearts, andParadise Valley is none of that.It’s tightly written, gritty, and tough, as I would
expect the Wild West to be.If you like strong women and men who will do what it takes to do more than justsurvive, you’ll like this novel. I give it 4.5 Stars. 
§§
  Here’s a quiz for you…Can you name all of these felines frommy descriptions?
  The daughter of a queen; the Pink Panther's valet; Hardee'sputs cheese, egg, and bacon on it; that can of specialty small corn kernels;orange and sweet and spread on toast; female and friendly with all the boys;Star Wars bad guy all in black with the raspy voice; he's starvin'.
  Disclaimer: Not all of these kitties live in my house; some justcome for the free food on the patio or porch and leave.
§§
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.
cj
Now a note from my sponsors:
Perfect for the upcoming holiday: HALLOWEEN PIECES . . . 18 piecesof My short paranormal story I’m kind of proud of, “Once in aBlue Moon,” included in this fourth installment of the Mobile WritersGuild anthology PIECES series. Paperback and ebook available. Kindle is $1.99.
My novels THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen of romance.(Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.)
The books are available on Amazon or through your favoriteeTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read the ebooks free fromHoopla.
The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copiesof my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. 
  Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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

 

Do or do not...the story behind the stories

cj Sez: I’ve been saying for a long time . . . way too longa time . . . that I’m trying to learn how to write a mystery. In fact, sittingin front of my keyboard staring at my WIP, I said it just the other day. Then Isaw this meme:

  It reminded me that it has always been my habit that if Iwant to learn how to do something and have set an achievable goal, I have done what’snecessary to reach it. In other words, if I really want to do something, I willdo it.

  I once had a wild hair thought and decided I wanted to gowhite water rafting. When I was 50, I took six weeks of swimming lessons andthen
spent 5-1/2 days sleeping on the ground with 12 strangers on an OutwardBound rafting trip on the Yampa River between Colorado and Utah. I had a greatadventure, made some interesting friends, and still don’t know how to swim. (Thatadventure is part and parcel of my novel “Choosing Carter” which I revised/re-edited/self-published as DEATH ON THE YAMPA.)

  When I first wanted to learn how to write, I enrolled in acreative writing class at a local community college. I flew to San Franciscoand spent three days immersed in Robert McKee’s Story screenwriting workshop. Igrabbed a bunch of how-to books. I read mystery novels and read some more of all genres.

  Over time, I discovered I was drawn to the books of RobertB. Parker, Elmore Leonard, John Grisham, James Lee Burke, Robert Ludlum’sBourne series. You know the kind, heavy on the action and adventure with a smattering of sex. When I relocated from Detroit to Mobile, I took a continuingeducation class at the University of South Alabama (“Storming the Walls of thePublishing Industry”), wrote seven paragraphs based on a prompt from theinstructor, and, with a positive response written on the paper, decided I wasready to write. (Those seven paragraphs eventually became “Deadly Star”, which I revised/re-edited/self-publishedas THE DAWGSTAR.)

  Writing in vacuum doesn’t work. I thought my premise waswonderful, the words and structure perfect. I wrote crap. There was no brilliantbeginning, middle, or end. There was only a quasi-beginning, a sagging middle,and an unsatisfying end. And I couldn’t even edit out all the punctuationerrors because I would read right past them.

  So, I joined a writers’ group and a critique group – a coupleof critique groups, in fact, in order to get the kind of varied writer/readerresponses I would get should my novel be on a library shelf. I went toconferences and writer retreats and workshops. My first short story waspublished in an anthology 2008, my first novel in 2013.

  At first, my stories and novels were traditionallypublished, but understanding that the publication world is a fickle place, I tookan intensive class in self-publishing and bought tons of back-up/how-toreference materials. And you know what? It feels very good to know that I preparedmyself for the option because I requested my rights back from Simon and Schusterthen re-edited and renamed the novels and self-published them in 2021. I continue to submit my short stories to publishers.

  The point I’m trying to make is that, whatever it is youwant to do, you have to make your “want to” a real goal in order to succeed. To be achievable, perhaps the goal is a first step. Forme, that means reassessing my want-to. I must own the task. I will either do or do not.

  Reader or writer, today’s lesson: Set a goal and write itdown. You might be surprised at how far you can go.

§§

  Readers: This fourth installment of the Mobile Writers GuildPIECES anthology series is a perfect complement to the first of the upcomingholidays. .  . 18 pieces of work by 17 authors.

   “Once in a Blue Moon” is a paranormal short story that wasmy first effort in that genre.

  The book is readily available in paperback or ebook—Kindleis $1.99.

§§  Writers: National Novel Writing Month is on the horizon. Getmore info here: https://nanowrimo.org/  

§§

  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.

cj

Now a note from mysponsors:

  THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA arefast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen of sweetromance. (Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.)

  The books are available on Amazon or throughyour favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read theebooks free from Hoopla.

  Little note: TheHaunted Book Shop has some signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER,contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.

➜ 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

It's that time of year again

cj Sez: It’s the time of year when all the stores, and I domean all, gather the end of the year holidays into one gigantic marketing blitz.
One of my regular favorite toons

So I ask you, “Do you have your Christmas shopping done yet?”
§§  
  This fourth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild PIECES anthologyseries is a perfect complement to the first of the upcoming holidays.   
“Once in a Blue Moon” is a paranormal short story that wasmy first effort in that genre. I hope you enjoy the teaser…it was also a firsteffort.
  The book is  readilyavailable in paperback or ebook—Kindle is $1.99.
§§
  Writers: I don’t know about you, but my first thought whensomeone says write a “pitch” is that brief, grab-the-gist-of-the-story elevatorpitch, boiled down to about 27 words—given the amount of time you might have todescribe your novel if you happen to get caught in an elevator with an agent.Well, surprise, surprise. Did you know there is more than one kind of pitch?Read more about it in author Amy L. Bernstein’s recent post on Jane Friedman’sblog: https://janefriedman.com/the-other-pitch-packages-authors-should-prepare/
  By the by, as the masthead of Lyrical Pens says, if you havea book (new or old) you want to promote with a blog post, drop me a note. Wecan arrange a blog date…the only caveat is that this site is PG 13. §§To quote a master . . .

“Here's what I want from a book, what I demand, what I prayfor when I take up a novel and begin to read the first sentence: I wanteverything and nothing less, the full measure of a writer's heart. I want anovel so poetic that I do not have to turn to the standby anthologies of poetryto satisfy that itch for music, for perfection and economy of phrasing, forexactness of tone. Then, too, I want a book so filled with story and characterthat I read page after page without thinking of food or drink because a writerhas possessed me, crazed with an unappeasable thirst to know what happensnext.”    ― Pat Conroy (  https://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/6942.Pat_Conroy?page=2)

§§
 Okay, that’s it forthis post. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raisingprayers for a happy and safe you.
cj
Now a note from mysponsors:


 My novels THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPAare fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen ofsweet romance. (Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.) 
  The books are available on Amazon or throughyour favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read theebooks free from Hoopla.
  Little note: TheHaunted Book Shop has some signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER,contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.

 

➜ 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

 

 

Are you at the stage where you have a saggy middle?

cj Sez: My first dream in creative writing was to become a screenwriter. In case you don't remember my tale of how I got started, in 2001, I flew from Detroit to San Francisco to take athree-day seminar called Story from internationally renowned, storyconsultant Robert McKee. Didn't take long to discover I probably had no chance at that career. (Drop me a note and ask me why.)

  But the experiencewas invaluable for my writing career, because I learned to visualize my story. Isaw that I needed to create characters who are archetypes not stereotypes and writeaction/dialogue scenes that show their stories. I’m a work in progress in this deep point of view,because I still learn something new every day. How characters react and whatthey don’t say can speak volumes to readers who enjoy trying to solvethe crime or mystery as the story progresses.   One of the ways I dothat is to create a bio for every character, including the antagonist—they're the most fun. Not justthe physical description but a lot of their life/backstory (which must never becomethe dreaded “Info Dump”). Bios help me understand what they would say and howthey might react in the situation I create for them. I do bleed in a bit of theirbackground in some scenes, trying to help the reader see and understand thecharacter’s motivation.
  I’ve talked withwriters who visualize some movie star or other playing a character in theirbooks. Is that something you do?  I can’tdo that. I don’t see a specific person, I visualize the whole characterizationas I’ve written it—I’ll leave it to Stephen Spielberg or Francis Ford Coppola tofind the mega-star best suited for the role (ha ha).
  Most writers, and Iam very much included in that generalization, may or may not have an idea on atheme. (They should. See the Jane Friedman link below.). We struggle with anopening hook, but a lot of us also know how we want the story to end, so that’sall set. It’s the middle that can be the real problem. It wants to sag. Like anold married couple, sometimes the excitement fades away, unless, like thatmarried couple, we work at it.   
  Shoring up a saggy middle without adding a lot of blah-blah-blah always takes a lot of editing. 
 To help me out in this process, I read the dialogue aloud asI go along. Does it sound natural? Are the sentences too complete and so fullof blah-blah information that they slow the cadence and pace of the story? Adding unnecessary words can happen anywhere, but it very often happens in the middle part of a storywhen I’m trying to reach the word count I want/need. Often, I have to change acharacter’s name, a story thread, a sentence structure, or, as was true for myfirst novel, the whole genre —itstarted as an action/adventure love story that the publisher/editor changed toa romantic suspense and which I, in 2021, changed to a thriller/suspense, THEDAWGSTAR. 
  A 5-star reviewer didn’t complain about a saggy middle, so I guess Iwas successful. Now I work hard to keep that momentum going for all the rest ofmy works.
  What do you do to shore up the saggy middle of your story?And if you don’t ever suffer a saggy middle, don’t tell me. I’d feel so inept.
§§
 In a recent post onJane Friedman’s blog, author, editor, and book coach Sharon Skinner writes that“Theme is a critical element of story, but it is more than just the point youare making.” Read more here: https://janefriedman.com/3-ways-to-use-theme-to-deepen-your-story
§§
  Okay, readers,especially for you: Stop by my Facebook author page (at https://www.facebook.com/CjPettersonAuthor) to follow my days-long series of posts spotlighting my stories and each day introduce a differentauthor in a different genre. Follow the link to their FB pages for info on whatthey write, and you might just find some new favorite authors there.§§
  That’s it fortoday. You-all guys keep on keeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raisingprayers for a happy and safe you. 
cj
Now a note from mysponsors:  Perfect for theupcoming holiday: HALLOWEEN PIECES, the fourth installment of the MobileWriters Guild anthology PIECES series.
  “Once in a Blue Moon,” a paranormal shortstory I’m kind of proud of, is included in this book. Paperback or ebook isavailable—Kindle is $1.99.
  My novels THE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPAare fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories with sassy banter and a smidgen ofsweet romance. (Perfect diversions for a quick weekend getaway.) The books are available on Amazon or throughyour favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got a library card? You can read theebooks free from Hoopla.
  Little note: TheHaunted Book Shop has some signed copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER,contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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

Welcome fall and other stuff

cj Sez: Aah, at last. Yesterday the autumnal equinox ushered in the fall season—my favorite season—when cooler, shorterdays inspire flowers and trees to outdo themselves and burst into one last kaleidoscope of color.

  The picture of a fence line of aspens above is one ofseveral beautiful compositions my photographer son took in Colorado a few yearsago. (He’s got an awesome artist’s eye.) He used a software program on thephoto to create the look of watercolor art. 

  On the home front, Mobile doesn’t have a lot of leaf-peeper red,orange, and gold on deciduous trees, but in a few weeks I’ll have a fence lineof camellias in many colors. What’s your favorite season where you live?§§  I’ve been re-reading some of my old “how-to” posts and cameacross this reminder as I edit my current WIP:

  First page/first chapter turn-offs: The writing miscues thatcan cause an agent to stop reading your manuscript:

* The beginning is too slow. Too many details, too muchdescription, too much backstory, or too many characters. The opening paragraphslack action or a hook to entice the readers to continue to read.

* The story’s opening paragraphs fail to establish where thestory is taking place, the time, and the setting.

* The writer didn’t establish a clear point of view.

* Mechanical errors can earn a speedy rejection. Mechanicalerrors are the typos, punctuation errors (including those involving dialogue),and unclear syntax that can destroy a good story.  

  What agents or publishers see in the first few paragraphs ofa manuscript is what they expect to see throughout each chapter and scene. Theyare looking for a reason to continue to read.
§§

  Since I have “a ton” of old tech I’d like to recycle, Isearched the internet yesterday and found this:

“Staples has been offering free office electronics recyclingto all retail customers in the U.S. since 2012. Customers can bring any brandof office technology in any condition, regardless of where they purchased it,to Staples® stores for free recycling by our recycler, ERI Direct. We havesimilar eWaste programs in Canada, with some variations and exclusionsdepending on the province.”

https://www.staples.com/sbd/cre/noheader/about_us/corporate-responsibility/environment/recycling-solutions/

  The nearest Staples to me is in the next town over, but it’dbe worth the drive. I’ll be sure to call first. §§
  A brief syntax lesson: different from typically requires anoun or noun form to complete the expression, while different than may befollowed by a clause.§§  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.
cj

Perfect for theupcoming holiday: HALLOWEEN PIECES

  I have a shortparanormal story I’m kind of proud of, “Once in a Blue Moon,” included inthis fourth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild anthology PIECES series

  Kindle is $1.99—paperbackis out of print. I happen to have a very few paperback copies if you’ve a mindto hold that book in your hands. First come, first served and sale priced at$7.50 plus mailing. Just drop me a note:  cjpetterson@gmail.com

  My novels THEDAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories withsassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for your quickweekend getaway.)

  The books areavailable on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.

  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copiesof my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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 reader’s imagination is a powerful tool for writers.

cj Sez: A lot of the passion, or eroticism, a reader findsin a story is often the part that’s left unwritten. For me, what one imaginesto be residing between the lines of a story—the perceived hidden meanings—canbe more erotic than detailed descriptions.

  Writers can never predict how their words will beinterpreted because their readers are coming from a multitude of backgrounds with different sets of life experiences. 
  That’s both exciting andfearful. Words, syntax, and semantics have to be as exact as we can make them,all the while knowing that each reader will most likely interpret themdifferently. I believe it is unfair and insulting to intelligent readers forauthors to tell them what they meant through the use of Italics and adverbsattached to dialogue.  Example: “How dareyou do that,” she exclaimed angrily. Suggested alternative is just a plain-old“How dare you do that.” This draws the reader into the story by allowing him orher to place their own emphasis.

 

  I’ve had the pleasure of having a reader tell me how muchshe enjoyed (or did not enjoy) a particular scene or dialogue exchange. When Iasked why, her interpretation of the scene or dialogue was nowhere near what Ihad intended. Obviously, words and phrases do not have universal meanings. Inparticular, writing with and about passion and eroticism tends to invite a lotof critical judgment and opinion.

 

Eroticism is far more than the sexual and sensuousdescriptions.
Andromeda Nebula  For me, the definition of erotic pleasure is nebulous. It issitting on the floor of a darkened room immersed in music…it is snowflakesmelting in my eyelashes…the smooth caress of summer breezes...the warmth of themorning sun…the whistle of an elk and the cry of a loon in the northernwilderness...it is pleasure that fills me with laughter and the pain that makesmy heart ache…it is intelligence with a quick wit and gentle humor…it is theharmonics of a deeply resonant baritone…the touch of a guiding, strong hand atmy waist…it is the feel of silk, satin, skin on skin…the velvetiness of ababy’s cheek…the taste of dark chocolate melting on my tongue...it is the aromaof a pipe and the coarseness of a woolen shirt…it is the heady sheen and smellof an athlete…it is trees dressed up in spring green or autumn blaze…pewterclouds and blue skies…it is sounds, feelings, sights, smells, tastes, touch,memories…it is imagination.
§§
  Summer is winding down, and one of my favorite cartoonsillustrates the lament of most everyone returning to their regular fall,winter, and spring school and work schedules.
  Beyond that … I am so yearning for some moderating autumnaltemperatures on Alabama’s Gulf Coast. The summer heat has been hellacious thisyear—a very long string of 100-plus-degree days with sauna-like humidity. Infact, Mobile set its own record this year for 11 days of >=100 degrees.I haven’t ventured into my yard for longer than an hour or so at a time sinceJune, and boy, do I have the weeds and vines to prove it.§§
  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.
cj
Perfect for theupcoming holiday: HALLOWEEN PIECES

I have a short paranormal story, “Once in a Blue Moon,”  included in this fourth installment of theMobile Writers Guild anthology PIECES series.

 

Kindle is$1.99/paperback is out of print. I happen to have four paperback copies ifyou’ve a mind to hold that book in your hands. First come, first served andsale priced at $7.50 plus mailing. Just drop me a note:  cjpetterson@gmail.com

 

  My novels THEDAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories withsassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for a quickweekend getaway.)

 

  The books areavailable on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a few signed copiesof my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.

 

➜ 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

 

Copyright infringement, et al.

 cj Sez: I came across an article on the risksassociated with copyright infringement in the digital age. With theproliferation of Facebook sharing, I think it’s worth reiterating this news tomy readers.

copyright sign  ©
  Sharing copyrighted content without permission invitesconsequences that can have major effects on your bank account. AttorneyChristopher Heer is an intellectual property lawyer and his article on “How toAvoid Copyright Infringement” is one that all artists should read…and asauthors, we are among that group.
  Read this important article here:   https://youpreneur.com/how-to-avoid-copyright-infringement-online/
  I’m hopeful that sharing the URL address to thisarticle falls under the “exceptions to exclusive rights” section which includes“research … instruction … review … and news reporting.”  (PS: If you have questions about what is oris not a copyright infringement, please check with your attorney.)§§
  From Lee Ann Ward, USA Today Best-Selling author andfounder of Writing Away Refuge:
… Registration is now open for our last virtualpitch retreat of 2023! Our next Writing Away Refuge Virtual Pitch Retreat overZoom is happening September 23-24th. You can pitch up to 5 literary agentsone-on-one over Zoom. We offer workshops, practice pitches, prize giveaways,and then the real thing, pitching your manuscript to agents. Don’t miss ourlast virtual pitch retreat for the year. 
  And, as a BONUS, members of this groupcan register for the full retreat at the 2-year member price of $75 (choose thatpayment option when you register). Only 50 spots available and we expect themto fill. See you there!
www.writingawayrefuge.com/about-1
§§
  Tomorrow, the world remembers the tragedies of9/11/2001.

§§
  This year, the Jewish New Year begins at sundown on Friday, Sept. 15, 2023 (the eve of Tishrei1) and concludes after nightfall on Sunday, Sept 17 (Tishrei 2). For allthose celebrating this special holiday, I wish you . . .
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  Writers, if you want to schedule a post on LyricalPens for a blog tour (new book? Refreshing an older book?), drop me a note.(PG13 work, please.)
§§
  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you!
cj

  “In thisfourth installment of the Mobile Writers Guild anthology series, our memberscelebrate the season of witches, jack-o-lanterns, black cats, spiders andghosts that is Halloween. As always in our Pieces series, we have an eclecticselection of stories, poems, and one play that explores the chills, thrills,and giggles that fill the streets as well as our ghoulish little hearts everyOctober.” 
  My paranormal short story, “Once in a Blue Moon,” is included.
  Only $1.99 on Kindle. The paperback is out of print...However! I happen to have four paperback copies if you’vea mind to hold that book in your hands. First come, first served and salepriced at $7.50 plus mailing. Just drop me a note:  cjpetterson@gmail.com
  My novelsTHE DAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA, still priced at $2.99, are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories withsassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for a quickweekend getaway.)
  Available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a fewsigned copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  
  If the Book Shop happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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

 

Talking about Labor Day, and the all-important reader/author relationship

 cj Sez: I wish all y'all an enjoyable and safe Labor Day holiday.

And Thank You to all who have to work today!
  Did you know? Labor Day is a creation of the labormovement and is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of Americanworkers. It constitutes a yearly national tribute to the contributions workershave made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of our country.

  The first Labor Day holiday was celebrated on aTuesday in 1882 in New York City, but in 1884, Congress responded to pressure fromconstituents for a long holiday weekend and passed an act making the firstMonday in September of each year a legal holiday in the District of Columbiaand the territories.§§
  Relationships. . . I’ve written a post about this a couple of times before, but I reallylove the importance of the message and think it’s worth repeating.    Over the years, I’ve read some really goodarticles on this subject, and the following post is a product of some of thethings I’ve learned.The dictionary defines the word “relationship” thisway:

noun 1.a connection, association, or involvement. 2. connection between persons by blood or marriage. 3.an emotional or other connection between people: the relationship between teachers and students. 4. a sexual involvement; affair.

  Really, you don’t need another person to have arelationship. You can have a relationship with anything, animate or inanimate.
  In the movie "Turner and Hooch," Tom Hanks’s Turnercharacter builds a crazy relationship with a big, slobber-faced dog. What yousee here is a compulsively neat, bachelor detective whose tidy world encountershousehold destruction and chaos. . . "The Odd Couple" redux.    In the 2000 movie "Castaway," Tom Hanks’s maroonedcharacter creates a relationship with an inanimate object. A Wilson-brandvolleyball takes on a persona. He gives it a face and a name and talks to it asif were another person. . . In the mid-1970s, much of America went through the Pet Rock craze.
  Every day we interact with animals, objects, andpeople of all stripes—family, friends, coworkers, strangers, et al. Ourrelationship with each is different, depending on the circumstances and need.
  Authors create relationships (interactions)between characters in their stories.
  If I’ve gotten you interested enough to continuereading this brief post, then I’ve begun to build a relationship with you, myreader. This reader/author relationship is all about how long can I continue toentertain your interest in what I’m saying … the excitement of learningsomething new or discovering a statement that suddenly makes sense to you.
  That’s how stories must progress if you’re goingto keep your audience interested in your work.
  A writer’s skill at creating a story that draws ina reader emotionally and intellectually is what keeps the reader coming backfor more. That’s when you’ve got the beginnings of a relationship.
  One of the most important relationships authors can have is the one they have with their readers … the relationship they build with their writing.
  How do you build a relationship and grow your fanbase? Know your intended audience as thoroughly as you know your characters,understand their wants, and write the best story you can that will appeal totheir emotions and intellect.
  Caveat: It is the author’s responsibility tomaintain the relationship. The reader doesn’t owe you anything and can end thispromising author/reader relationship at any time—sometimes for no apparentreason.
  If I’ve given you something to think about, thenI’ve done my job, and I’m done here.§§
  Writers, if you want to schedule a post on LyricalPens for a blog tour (new book? Refreshing an older book?), drop me a note.(PG13 work, please.)§§
  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you!
cj

  THEDAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories withsassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for thosequick weekend getaways.)
  The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.
  Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a fewsigned copies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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

A story that became a made-for-TV movie

cj Sez: Authors if you’ve ever thought about yourstory becoming a movie, how about a made-for-TV movie?

   USAToday best-selling author Barbara Hinske hassuch a story. And readers, this is for you, too: Here’s a blog-tour note from Barbara on how you canhelp make sure the movie gets the viewers it needs:

“My novel Guiding Emily has been adaptedfor the screen by Hallmark. It will air Sept 8, 9ET/8 CT on HallmarkMovies & Mysteries. I was present for filming again and this will be aterrific movie. They stuck with the book this time. Hallmark has stepped out oftheir usual romance box for this movie. The principal cast and crew are set towork on a series based on the books. The movie has to do well enough or trendon twitter for Hallmark to pull this trigger on this. Needless to say, this isthe Holy Grail for an author. 

The actor's strike has prevented both Sarah Drew(Emily) and Eric McCormack (voice of Garth) from promoting the movie and I'mdoing everything I can to get eyeballs on it. 

So—please tune every set in your house (heck--onyour street!) to watch on Sept 8.”

  GUIDING EMILY is a tale of love, loss, and courage.Meet Emily and Garth in the GUIDING EMILY movie on Hallmark Movies &Mysteries Friday, September 8th on @hallmarkmovie 

#visuallyimpaired#guidedogs #guidedogsfortheblind #guidedogpuppy #servicedogpuppy#servicedogintraining #hallmarkmovie #guidingemily #hallmarkmoviesmysteries

§§

  Here are some helpful grammar hints from my personallibrary:

  The Christmas Grinch notwithstanding, here areproper usages for Stink, Stank, Stunk . . .

… Stink is the present or future form. … Stank is the past form, use it when you refer tosome time that has already happened, such as last night, yesterday, or lastweek. … Stunk is the participle form, it means you mustuse have, has, or had with it).… What is that stink I smell?… Frying that fish will stink up the whole house.
… She sure stank up the kitchen last night withthat burned milk!… I'm sorry, but the baby's diaper really stank onthe way home yesterday!
… The house hasn't stunk this badly since the daywe found that rat behind the dryer.… If you hadn't stunk up the bathroom, I wouldn'thave opened the window and let your orchids freeze in the snow.
Then there’s this tricky usage/spelling: Pick up,Pick-up, Pickup
… Will you pick up my dry cleaning?… “Have we met” is such a stale pick-up line.… My pickup truck is red.§§

“Almost all good writing begins with terriblefirst efforts. You need to start somewhere.”
― Anne Lamott, Birdby Bird

§§
  Writers, if you want to schedule a post on LyricalPens for a blog tour (new book? Refreshing an older book?), drop me a note.(PG13 work, please.)
§§

  Okay, that’s it for today. You-all guys keep onkeeping on, and I’ll try to do the same. Raising prayers for a happy and safe you!

cj   THEDAWGSTAR and DEATH ON THE YAMPA are fast-paced, thriller/suspense stories withsassy banter and a smidgen of sweet romance. (Perfect diversions for thosequick weekend getaways.)

  The booksare available on Amazon or through your favorite eTailer and bookstore. Got alibrary card? You can read the ebooks free from Hoopla.Little note: The Haunted Book Shop has a few signedcopies of my books in stock. TO ORDER, contact: https://www.thehauntedbookshopmobile.com/contact-us  If she happens to be sold out, I have a smallstash. Angela Trigg, the awesome owner and a RITA Award-winning author in herown right (writing as Angela Quarles) will be happy to ship you any book(s) byany author of your choice.
➜ 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