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