Anne Elizabeth Ward

Lawyer turned novelist

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

For me, the drive through West Texas is full of possibilities.The badlands stretching off to left and right, ahead and behind and many miles beyond, every shade of brown and sand and green. The distant blues with maybe a tinge of pink, like Charlie Russell would have painted.

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

Overheard in the Lobby of El Capitan Hotel: "It’s a long drive. Nothing but empty miles. Not a lot to see.” A man said this as he talked on a cell phone, sounding worn out. I thought about these things he said, & I felt sorry for him. For me, the drive was full of possibilities.

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

"Anne, I just read your outline and love it--wouldn't change a thing... I am very lucky to know you and thanks for trusting me enough to share this book with me"--Larry, Big Bend Overland Tours and beta reader of #reckless #writerslife #readers #bigbend

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

I first met Larry in 2014 when he was running Big Bend Overland Tours. He took me on a 3-day, 4WD tour of the terrain that used to be the old G4 Ranch. Thanks, Larry, too, for being one of my beta readers! #bigbend #writerslife #reckless #readers #books #historicalfiction #texas

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

Western heroes and timing: If you're herding cattle, things slow down considerably. You want them to graze as they walk, so they don’t lose too much weight, and you certainly don’t want to excite them to stampede. You’ll make ten miles per day, at best. #writerslife #1880s

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

1880s timing: Say the “average” horse covers 40 miles in a day. Allow extra time for treacherous terrain. Or speed it up, for a strong, fast horse running on flat land back to the hay barn. You get the idea. How long does it take your hero to cover ground? #writerslife

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

When writers have to guess 1880s timeframes: Say our hero leaves KC on a southbound train. Lacking train fare to go beyond Chetopa, he saddles up and sets out, following the river, leading him back to Texas. Guessing how long his trip takes is like guessing beans in a jar.

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

@elonmusk @SpaceXStarlink @RationalEtienne @Adamklotz_ Sonora, Texas. I would love to be a beta-tester for Starlink!

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

This is the writer living the life of her characters! During this #texas #coldsnap I've had to resort to campsite cooking! Temps near zero F will do that! #historicalfiction #writerslife #reckless @PaulEM53 @kathleenkent214 @JSuzanneFrank @SMU

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

Tin got this look in his eye. The old mischief was afoot! Once he got going, you had to let it play out.
Tin capered around with a silver tray balanced on his head. We’re either about to get thrown out, or this is a splendid good night. #reckless #texas

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

With each re-telling, I remember: the bear's teeth, the claws, the roar. I'll never forget the thud of that old shotgun as I rammed it down his throat. I ate the heart. Burnt my tongue, the taste lingered for days. No doubt, deep down in my veins, pumps the blood of the bear.

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

Eagle was no particular breed. None we knew, at least. Big-headed, gangly in the knees, one bowed leg and great big bony hooves.
One of his ears was bent. He had a few white hairs. Not from age, but just the way he was made. #reckless #historicalfiction

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

"The power of historical fiction for bad and for good can be immense in shaping consciousness of the past." -- Antony Beevor #historicalfiction #books #fiction #elements #plot #history @kathleenkent214 @PaulEM53 @JSuzanneFrank @LIsaSchnebly https://t.co/TFH7RfiOf8

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

It was about time for me to update my website profile. Read it and let me know what you think. #historicalfiction #writerslife #westtexas #pioneerlife #cowboys @kathleenkent214 @PaulEM53 @JSuzanneFrank @LIsaSchnebly https://t.co/fL2X5VtGbT

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

A writer needs readers. and who better than a descendent of the lead character? #writerslife #historicalfiction #readers #writers #research #feedback #opinion @PaulEM53 @kathleenkent214 @LIsaSchnebly @JSuzanneFrank https://t.co/ngZrDXgSri

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

"Poetry is when an emotion has found its thought and the thought has found words."--Robert Frost #reckless #historicalfiction #poetry #blackoutpoetry #mexico #westtexas #texas @PaulEM53 @kathleenkent214 @LIsaSchnebly @washingtonpost @SulRossState https://t.co/S4mGuXgLmC

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

Just what is blackout poetry? #reckless #historicalfiction #poetry #blackoutpoetry #expression #poems @kathleenkent214 @PaulEM53 @LIsaSchnebly https://t.co/1HMwg16v0a

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

Sometimes a "blackout poem" is order. #reckless #writerslife #blackoutpoem #poetry #historicalfiction @SulRossState @SMU @kathleenkent214 @PaulEM53 @LIsaSchnebly @JSuzanneFrank @washingtonpost https://t.co/vtwPi9agWx

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

"Buildings, too, are children of Earth and Sun."-- Frank Lloyd Wright #reckless #ranches #ranchhouses #countryliving #architecture @kathleenkent214 @SulRossState @PaulEM53 @JSuzanneFrank @LIsaSchnebly @dwell https://t.co/XZE2peuNov

[Anne Elizabeth Ward @AnneWard1967]

What comprised the economy of West Texas in the 1880s? #reckless #historicalfiction #westtexas #agriculture #economy #living @kathleenkent214 @PaulEM53 @JSuzanneFrank @SMU @TAMU @LIsaSchnebly https://t.co/sSdmGR5coR