Blog Posts from Anne

Guest Ashlyn Macnamara: Unique Character Voice

Posted by Anne Barton Feb 26 2013, 12:00 am in characterization, golden heart finalists, guest author, voice, writing tools

Recently, I’ve been rereading a series I discovered when I was younger. It’s a five-book middle grade fantasy series based on Welsh mythology entitled The Chronicles of Prydain. Since I’ve become a writer myself, I can’t help but noticing the author’s craft. Something really jumped out at me this time. The author, Lloyd Alexander, is [...]

38 Comments

All I Ever Needed to Know I Learned from Jane Austen

Posted by Anne Barton Jan 29 2013, 12:00 am in Anne Barton, inspiration, Jane Austen, Ruby Release

Like many romance writers, I’m a huge Jane Austen fangirl. So, to celebrate the release of my debut novel, WHEN SHE WAS WICKED, I thought I’d share ten quotes containing Jane’s timeless wisdom and reveal why her advice still applies in the iPhone age—a mere 200 years after Pride and Prejudice was first published. Jane [...]

45 Comments

Ruby Holiday Survey Results

Posted by Anne Barton Dec 21 2012, 12:01 am in Free-For-All Friday, holiday, survey

The results are in! I feel a little like Ryan Seacrest right now, holding the sealed envelope containing all the juicy info. Ha! But before I reveal the responses, I want to say a BIG THANK YOU to everyone who took the Ruby Holiday Survey. We had 43 people participate. Not too shabby, considering how busy everybody [...]

22 Comments

Ugly Ornament Party (plus bonus survey & giveaway!)

Posted by Anne Barton Dec 14 2012, 12:01 am in Free-For-All Friday, holiday, Ruby Release, survey, writer's life

Grab some eggnog, friends, and gather ‘round! Today, we celebrate…the ugly ornament. They’re the unsung heroes of the Christmas tree. The macaroni angel you made in kindergarten. The evil nutcracker Aunt Phyllis gave you as a housewarming gift. The “hand blown glass” football that your husband got free with a tank of gas. (The same [...]

33 Comments

Guest Valerie Bowman: Writing to Hooks

Posted by Anne Barton Oct 11 2012, 12:00 am in craft, hooks, valerie bowman

Hello Rubies and Friends, Thank you so much for having me today. I’m Valerie Bowman, a 2011 Golden Heart finalist in the Regency category and I’m here to celebrate my debut (and GH-finaling manuscript) SECRETS OF A WEDDING NIGHT which is in stores (and online) now. I thought long and hard about what I could [...]

81 Comments

Notes from RWA Nationals 2012

Posted by Anne Barton Aug 14 2012, 12:01 am in RWA Nationals, workshops

It’s been a few weeks since the RWA Conference in Anaheim, and sometimes that kind of distance brings a clarity that helps you appreciate the most meaningful moments. Sometimes, that kind of distance just makes you forget stuff. But never fear, because I took notes! Alas, I was not armed with the latest in note-taking technology. Instead, I rocked [...]

25 Comments

Guest Keli Gwyn: 3 Ways to Add Pizzazz to Your Author Bio

Posted by Anne Barton Jun 27 2012, 12:00 am in author bio, guest author, writer's life

I’m thrilled to welcome my good friend and writing partner Keli Gwyn to the Ruby blog! She’s got some fun tips for making our author bios the best they can be. Welcome, Keli! Is your author bio boring? Mine was—until I took a workshop from social media guru Kristen Lamb, author of We Are Not Alone: [...]

54 Comments

Guest Erin Knightley: Facing Feedback (and other fears)

Posted by Anne Barton May 30 2012, 12:01 am in guest author, handling criticism

Hi, Ruby sis Anne here, and I’m so pleased to welcome Erin Knightley back to the blog! We met at RWA Nationals last year, and since then I’ve watched her gracefully navigate the path to published authordom. Welcome, Erin! A year ago this month, I was a guest with the Rubies in celebration of being a [...]

92 Comments

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