A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Archive for February, 2018

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Writing Haiku: Winter Ensemble (Haiku) by Bette A. Stevens


Enjoying another snow day at the farmstead in Central Maine. My current WIP (work in progress) is a poetry collection that I plan to publish this year. The photo shows the east side of our barn (I love that spruce tree we planted a few years back.) here at the farmstead.  Today I’ve written Winter Ensemble and invite you to join the fun and write a haiku too. If the kids are around, you can make it a family affair—get them writing haiku with you!

Nor’easterly winds
Lead frozen boughs in tempo
Winter ensemble

~Bette A. Stevens

HAIKU

noun hai·ku \ˈhī-(ˌ)kü\

  1. :  an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also :  a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference — compare tanka

Writing Tips from Bette

Discover more about how to write haiku and other poetry:

[EXPLORE BETTE’S BLOG]

Written

on 02/25/2018

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Writing Haiku: “Winter Interlude” (haiku) by Bette A. Stevens


Original photo from Pixabay (Display version edited by Bette A. Stevens for this haiku poster.) Writing haiku is not only easy, it’s fun. Find out all about it in this post. ~Bette A. Stevens, Maine author

Winter Interlude

Haiku by Bette A. Stevens

Lakeside interlude
Sings winter’s song—ice skaters
Hail the performance

This week, I was reminiscing about my teen years in Upstate New York. Although winters there were not at long as they are here in Maine, families and friends often took advantage of frozen lakes and ponds, gathering on weekends to light a bonfire and skate to their heart’s content. The memory of those bygone days inspired my to write Winter Interlude.

What events from the past are inspiring you this winter? 

It’s a perfect time to write a haiku of your own and share your memories with the kids and grandkids. Not only is writing haiku fun, it’s easy to do…

HAIKU

noun hai·ku \ˈhī-(ˌ)kü\

  1. :  an unrhymed verse form of Japanese origin having three lines containing usually five, seven, and five syllables respectively; also :  a poem in this form usually having a seasonal reference — compare tanka

See haiku defined for English-language learners

See haiku defined for kids

Discover more about how to write haiku and other poetry:

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

Written

on 02/11/2018

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#RRBC Spotlight Author Gracie Bradford talks about favorite sites and apps


I WISH SOMEONE HAD TOLD ME

It is such a pleasure to introduce this “up and coming author,” Gracie Bradford, and her book about a child with brain cancer. The beagle, Lady Bird, takes on a leading role in this short story. Learn about the role of pet therapy in the healing process.

During her discovery journey and literary, educational adventure, Gracie relates that she stumbled upon software and websites that have proven to give a new meaning to work simplification. She used some of these in her business but discovered they could also be used with some of her writing projects. Most seasoned authors are already familiar with the apps and sites, but the “up and coming authors” may find some of these to be useful. She doesn’t use all, just those that she has the skill set to understand and can give a return on her investment. Although she confesses that she tends to gravitate towards the FREE stuff, she will invest in a few. It will be fun to hear about your favorite sites and apps. Leave your best in the COMMENT section.

Disclaimer: No fees received for recommending these resources nor is there an endorsement

https://evernote.com/

Use to organize research

https://yousendit-express.en.softonic.com/

Use to send large files

https://www.aweber.com/

Autoresponder

www.fiverr.com

Has a variety of functions; Can be used to hire someone to post articles or send out twitter tweets

https://www.upwork.com

Post a job, and they match your project with some freelancers

https://www.freelancer.com/

Post a job and receive a competitive bid from freelancers

https://www.aweber.com/

Autoresponder – An email marketing and automation platform for growing your business

https://www.getresponse.com/

Autoresponder – a marketing platform for growing your business

https://commun.it/growth

Autoresponder – tool used to grow your community

https://www.crowdfireapp.com/

Helps to grow your followers

https://www.shutterstock.com/

Royalty-free photos

Expect to see the 3rd book of the Lady Bird series late 2018 addressing Autism.

  • Pick up a copy of Gracie’s books at:

http://amzn.to/2gfLCEJ

  • Like and follow this author through the social media platforms below:

Blog: www.free1592.wordpress.com

Website: www.authorgraciebradford.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/authorgraciebradford/

Pinterest: www.pinterest.com/graciebradford5/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/iamxordinary

Facebook: www.facebook.com/gracie.bradford.58

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/authorgraciebradford/

Thanks for stopping by today to meet Gracie Bradford. Don’t forget to tell us about your favorite sites and apps in the comment section. ~Bette A. Stevens

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

Written

on 02/07/2018

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Winter Game (haiku) by Bette A. Stevens


Winter Game

Haiku by Bette A. Stevens

Frozen window pane
Plays peekaboo with the sun
A seasonal game

It has been a long, cold winter here at the Farmstead in Central Maine. Last week’s ice and wind storm left a perfect canvas for the sun to paint its magic on the living room window, inspiring me to write “Winter Game.”

What’s inspiring you this winter?

[Explore Bette’s Blog]

Written

on 02/02/2018

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