Writing defrags my mind and frees up space for new adventures.

Bev Freeman

Send email to: bfree3 (at) embarqmail (dot) com
 

I honestly can't say I was born to write, but I was a born storyteller, always the last to get to sleep whenever cousins or friends slept over. Mom told me repeatedly to quiet down. Dad had only to tell me once. I listened to him, or paid the price of being banished to a room alone. Who wanted to sleep alone when one had the option of a bed full of giggly girls? (I've always been a quick learner.)

The desire to write took shape as a teenager, when I decided I could write as well as any of the famous authors I was reading. No, I wasn't arrogant, merely confident. Several English teachers in junior or senior high were to blame for that misconception. However, it gave me hope and produced many charming and heartfelt poems.

Realities of life became priority and writing was pushed into the background when I reached adulthood. Like all heart's desires, it could not be denied for long. When I moved to East Tennessee, near the inspiring Appalachian Mountains, a place that finally felt like home, my creative energy was renewed and now I write day and night.

My background includes extensive travel (within the USA) with my family and attending 7 different schools by the time I reached 9th grade. Army life and construction jobs kept us on the go. Working careers include 20+ years in the dental office, from hands on assisting to insurance and receptionist. Six years were spent enjoying the world as a cosmetologist in my late 30's. Carpel Tunnel brought that to a halt, so back to the dental office I ran. This past year I've awarded myself the freedom to write non-stop. I've learned a wealth of information through RWA, critique groups and contacts. The RWA conference was the icing on the cake.

When not writing at the computer, I stretch my legs with husband Bill and our lovable dogs, Bud, Pepper and Mic, hiking short portions of the Appalachian Trail or many other wonderful trails our surrounding mountains provide.

At present, I'm working on a mystery set in the coastal mountain region of northern Oregon. The idea came to me in a comical conversation with a friend and co-worker, Sherry Maine. Within hours, Sherry and I had several chapters discussed and ready for writing. Mystery and suspense captured my heart and imagination at a young age. I hope that soon one of my completed manuscripts will hatch and capture your heart as well.

Pansies

Memberships

 

~ March 2006 Natl League of American Pen Women Fiction ~

Watauga Branch

2nd Place Winner for “Floodwaters” awarded $50

~ October 2005 Winner of the SMRW “Dandy Line” contest ~

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Things I've concluded after ten plus years of trying to get it right.

If you are not a member in good standing with a great writers' group or network, find one and join. When they offer a writers' conference, go. Something good will come home with you.

Where is this going? The weekend just before Thanksgiving, my critique partner and friend, Janice Hornburg, and I attended the Fall Conference of the NC Writers' Network along with several hundred other members. The conference was held in, get this—Wrightsville Beach. (Maybe that's why we came away with such an uplifting feeling.)

This was my second NCWN conference. The network offers a diverse group of members and the faculty does a great job. The workshops and sessions provided us with a wealth of applicable information, but the one who stood out to me was Linda Rohrbough.

Pitch was the scariest word in the writer's language to me before I met Linda Rohrbough. Visit her site www.lindarohrbough.com for valuable information on her books and advice. This is one web site that I guarantee will give you confidence toward selling your manuscript to an agent or editor. Linda is knowledgeable and amusing in her delivery. No one fell asleep in her class. She, alone, was worth the price of the conference. I will attend her classes anytime I can.

Overall, the conference was stimulating, supportive, and most of all - a beautiful setting. The weather was chilly, but the ocean performed its magic anyway. I can't wait to visit Wrightsville Beach on vacation with my husband.



Log-line:

"After finding a human skull while hiking with her dog, a mousey dental hygienist is pulled into the investigation of the bone yard, a process that unravels her own identity. Marcie Denson overcomes her insecurities to prove her aunt, who is also her boss, is the serial killer."

By applying Linda Rohrbough's formula, I came up with a log-line above (and the second log-line) for my WIP, Sister-in-Law Cemetery. Linda will use my log-line and the second log-line as an example of how to strengthen your pitch. Thank you, Linda.

Linda's latest article is Self-Editing Tricks I Use. Be sure to visit her web site to read this really helpful article.

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