A writer inspired by nature and human nature

Archive for the ‘Maine Author’ Category

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Amazing Matilda


Latest review for AMAZING MATILDA, our inspiring monarch butterfly. THREE CHEERS for MATILDA! ~ Bette A. Stevens

macjam47's avatarBOOK CHAT

By Bette A. Stevens

Amazing MatildaMatilda has just emerged from her egg, and already she wants to fly.  The sparrow tells her she has to have patience and follow her instincts. The speckled toad says she needs wings. But Matilda doesn’t know what patience and follow her instincts means. Moreover, where can she get wings? Matilda eats leaves and starts growing, and the sparrow says she is using her instincts. Rabbit told her he practiced and practiced until he could hop onto the rock ledge, but Matilda did not want to hop, she wanted to fly.

This delightful story tells the life cycle of a monarch butterfly in an engaging way that will catch the attention of children.  The award winning AMAZING MATILDA is a lighthearted story that will encourage children to follow their dreams and to have patience. The book is illustrated by author Bette Stevens with charming drawings that…

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Written

on 03/21/2015

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AFTERNOON PORTRAIT, Haiku by Bette A. Stevens


Afternoon Portrait HAIKU bas 2015

 

Poem, photography & design by Bette A. Stevens,
a writer inspired by nature and human nature.

Written

on 03/04/2015

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Five Star Treatment – Amazing Matilda by Bette A. Stevens.


Many thanks to our amazing friend Sally Cronin for featuring MATILDA on her wonderful blog. Be sure to stop by and say “Hi.” You’ll find lots of great posts and meet new friends there. ~ Bette

Written

on 03/02/2015

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Dog Bone Soup by Bette A. Stevens Review


🌸🌸🌸🌸🌸 DOG BONE SOUP! Thank you, Pamela.

Pamela Beckford's avatarPoetry by Pamela

What a delightful story of a young boy growing up dirt poor. Dinner, many times, was dog bone soup. But the children still had fun. They made their own fun. They grew up together. So much I would like to say but don’t want to spoil the story for you.

This is an absolutely perfect book for a middle grade boy, but reads well for a grandmother as well. It illustrates that a good book can be entertaining without foul language or sex.

I fell in love with Shawn. As a grandmother, I think I would have wanted to take him and hold him and protect him from his own life. He is such a good boy who did so much to help his mum and family. This book also shows how much words can hurt a child. Children get made fun of because they are poor or different all…

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Written

on 02/25/2015

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Stephen King’s Top 20 Rules for Writers


Awesome advice from one of the greats! ~ Bette A. Stevens

jenowenby's avatarJens Thoughts

CA: Premiere Of Paramounts' Remake Of "The Manchurian Candidate" - ArrivalsWant to know what Stephen King says about writing?

1. First write for yourself, and then worry about the audience. “When you write a story, you’re telling yourself the story. When you rewrite, your main job is taking out all the things that are not the story.”

2. Don’t use passive voice. “Timid writers like passive verbs for the same reason that timid lovers like passive partners. The passive voice is safe.”

3. Avoid adverbs. “The adverb is not your friend.”

4. Avoid adverbs, especially after “he said” and “she said.”

5. But don’t obsess over perfect grammar. “The object of fiction isn’t grammatical correctness but to make the reader welcome and then tell a story.”

6. The magic is in you. “I’m convinced that fear is at the root of most bad writing.”

7. Read, read, read. ”If you don’t have time to read, you don’t have the time…

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Written

on 02/25/2015

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Amazing Matilda by Bette Stevens Review


Award-winning picture book gets another ★★★★★

Pamela Beckford's avatarYear 'Round Thanksgiving Project

I love children’s books and read quite a lot of them to children (4-6 yrs). This story of Matilda shows how a caterpillar develops and changes into a beautiful Monarch butterfly. It is done in a way that is just perfect for young children to understand. I think this book could serve as a great introduction to more learning about butterfly development and habitat. And what a perfect thing for children to learn so they can become advocates for the environment.

Five out of five stars

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Written

on 02/23/2015

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Winter Magic! A poem by Bette A. Stevens


WINTER MAGIC Haiku bas 2015Hi, Friends.

Wishing you all a magical week whatever your weather or season…

Winter is still ruling at ‘The Farmstead’ here in Central Maine, but spring is sure to have its way before long. Meanwhile, we’ll revel in the beauty of a fresh fallen snow.

— Bette A. Stevens

Written

on 02/22/2015

GROWING UP MUCH TOO SOON


DOG BONE SOUP Launch Tour continues + a great review by Barbara Ann Mojica!

bamauthor's avatarBarbara Ann Mojica's BLOG

DOG BONE SOUP Launch Banner

DOG BONE SOUP is not only the title of Bette A. Stevens’s debut novel; it ranks high among the paltry meals that the book’s protagonist, Shawn Daniels, wants to forget. Plodding through mounting snow and battling howling winds, Shawn is ready to leave it all behind—living in poverty, Dad’s drinking, life in foster care, the divorce, the bullies….

Travel with Shawn Daniels through the guts and the glories of life. You’ll find them all in DOG BONE SOUP, a Boomer’s coming-of-age saga. Available now at “YOUR AMAZON”

From the Reviewers

“Dog Bone Soup is the poignant tale of a dysfunctional family struggling to survive in America in the 50s and 60s, when most others were on the crest of a wave. It will make you laugh, it will make you cry. But most of all it will make you glad you read it.” ~ Charlie Bray, founder of the Indietribe

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Fiction, Maine Author

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POETRY: Seasonal Changes


The Wonder of It All

A few flitting monarch butterflies and my favorite fall asters will soon dissipate into grand memories awaiting reincarnation.

Final Performance for 2014 posts

As we expect this dawn of change, shimmering monarchs are heading south to aggregate  in the warmth of southern groves. Meanwhile, I’m settling in for the evening with wood stove ablaze—I think I hear autumn’s tendrils softly tapping at the door. I close my to dream of butterflies and dancing blooms.

Although summer is coming to an all-too-soon close here in Central Maine, fall is sure to welcome us anew with its shimmering colors too.

Blessings to you at the close of one grand season and the opening of another! ~ Bette A. Stevens

 

Written

on 09/19/2014

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Debut Novel is Coming…


DBS Coming Soon!Working on the final draft of “DOG BONE SOUP.”

Here’s the first endorsement:

“Shawn Daniels and his siblings shake off extreme poverty, hunger, a dilapidated homestead and a drunken father, to somehow embark upon an idyllic childhood. Bette Stevens has crafted a remarkable tale of hope and happiness in the face of despair.” ~ Charles Bray (author/editor/reviewer)

I invite you to sign up for my email updates for news on pre-release orders, specials, freebies and more at http://eepurl.com/t-7JP

Have a great day!

Bette A. Stevens

Written

on 09/13/2014

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