How is it possible that we are already halfway through January? I look at my endless “to-do” list, and I want to hide under my covers for a while. However, my house is quiet right now, so it’s probably a great time to check off a few of those items. But first, let’s get to know our author this week for Wisdom Wednesday.
Welcome, Barbara!
Name: Barbara Brutt
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Debut Release: Teal Paisley Tights
Writing Tip for Authors:
Oh, hm, at the moment, I’m thankful that we’ve moved away from using “she said” and “he said” for every speaking tag. I’m currently reading a book that was published a few years ago, and the “she said” and “he said” is weighing the story down. It’s also more fun to come up with action tags to denote who’s speaking.
Action tags are great! They really keep the story moving. I think “he/she said” is still good to use every now and then, but you can do so much more with action tags.
Yes, find ways to get connected to other authors. If you can’t find a writing group in your area, create one. The local group I’m in meets monthly at the library. Local libraries are a great resource to utilize.
Life post-graduation was supposed to see the launch of paisley-loving Jadyn’s art career, or at least an art gallery showing one of her watercolor paintings. Instead, this Pittsburgh native is locked into a low-paying, buttoned-up consultant position with an impossible boss. When another colleague is dismissed, Jadyn inherits extra workload, including the company’s biggest client. If she loses him, she’s fired.
Jadyn people-pleases her way through life, resulting in extra work opportunities and a community classroom of art students. But when two guys appear on her doorstep, she just might not be able to people-please her way out of this love triangle. At the end of the day, she can’t please everyone.
Then, because of a small spending problem, Jadyn is evicted from her apartment, and she must move in with her know-it-all sister. Jadyn needs to decide between a job transfer that would place her near her love interest, or a full-time art career with all its risks.
Stretched like canvas between responsibility and dreams, she must choose. Will practicality always win?
Barbara Brutt, a born and raised Pittsburgher, spent her growing-up years with her nose in a book. After claiming her bachelor’s degree in English, she plunked down hard into a smattering of jobs from shop girl to communications director with a healthy dose of nanny and house-cleaner. Flying to new adventures is her favorite, especially on an airplane or aerial silk. Barbara adores ice cream and only buys purses that provide room for a book or two.
Barbara talks books, aerial silks, faith, and travel on her website and blog at barbarabrutt.com.
What about you? Are you a member of a writing group and in what ways has it helped you in your writing journey? Leave us a comment and join in the discussion, but before you do, check out Barbara’s debut novel, Teal Paisley Tights and connect with her on social media.
Contact Info/Social Media Links:
https://www.instagram.com/cordiallybarbara/
https://twitter.com/barbarabrutt
https://www.facebook.com/BarbaraBruttWriter/
Regina Merrick says
My writing group (and yours!) put me back on the path to publication, so I can’t say enough about the importance of the writing community. That’s it, isn’t it? Everything we do needs community. God created us that way! Thanks for the tips!
Erin R. Howard says
Very true! I love our writing group because they understand me on a level that no one else does. ☺️