Michael Bettendorf

Writer. Eater of Books. Lover of Comics. Library Tech. Drummer. He/Him husband. '23 Brave New Weird Recipient, '21 BOTN, & '21 BSF nominated. Updates Only.

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

Active Writer - Find me on all these places:
https://t.co/UhCZIGmEwC

[Kim Novak - The Reading Rx @CFPharmD]

TRVE CVLT by @BeardedBetts is a #SSBA horror nominee that blends #Horror and #HeavyMetal into a choose your own adventure story. This cover is absolutely slaying! #BookTwitter @SpecAwards

https://t.co/udJC62ZNPl

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@dailydrunkmag @MelissaKNunez @iambrandondiehl @frankiemilktea @eaturlettuce @RitaFeinstein @BonesAndBeer @caleb_bethea_ Lemme uhhh see what I can come up with. I should really play with some pop culture DD-esque writing again...

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@dailydrunkmag @MelissaKNunez @iambrandondiehl @frankiemilktea @eaturlettuce @RitaFeinstein @BonesAndBeer @caleb_bethea_ SHAWN! I'm so sorry, I'm just now seeing this. I've been over at the other, bluer place...

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@afrocosmist Yeah, that whole album is Modest Mouse covers! Killer stuff.

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@afrocosmist His cover of Dramamine is one of my favorites on that album. April and Ghosts of the Great Highway are on frequent listens around my place.

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@afrocosmist Dude makes sad songs sadder.

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

Thank you so much for having not one, but two stories of mine! I had a lot of fun writing this character and hope to revisit him again… @intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

Farewell for now to @beardedbetts 🙌

Many thanks for an excellent Limited Series exemplifying intrepid culture! Best wishes for all the stories to come.

MUST READ & don't forget to share ♥️
@RhondaSchlumpb @allisonrwrites @AmandaHurleyNet
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https://t.co/P8QXbws8Ns

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@intrepidusink @PrinceGrimdark @FusionFragment Thank you! I'm excited for these stories to fill the ether! And of course, I think this narrator has many more tales...

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

I had a micro story published at Anomaly, edited by @PrinceGrimdark recently, & I have a drabble series with Saros SF @FusionFragment coming soon…as well as couple others I can’t talk about yet! As for the man from the Midnight Bazaar—I think he’ll be around 😉 @intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

.@beardedbetts what’s next for you…and will we see more of the man from the midnight bazaar?

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[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

When it comes to flash, I often like to structure my stories around a concept first. In Counter Offer, I knew I wanted to do something with alternate worlds and holes. From there, I let the story unfold organically, then touched up as needed! @intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

.@beardedbetts discuss your process in forming the story’s structure and how it makes the tension crackle.

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[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

Hey! I'm so glad to be back. Well, he's chowing down on some food when...well, you'll have to read for yourself!
https://t.co/5T6PcyGJx3
@intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

.@beardedbetts welcome back! 👏🙌

Part 2 of your Limited Series premieres TODAY at Intrepidus Ink & we’re thrilled!

What is our midnight bazaar hero up to in "Counter Offer"?
https://t.co/P8QXbws8Ns
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[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

"I'm gathering dust at my usual booth, taking a break from the midnight bazaar after reuniting the kid with his parents."

Premiering TODAY: "Counter Offer" Part 2 of @BeardedBetts Limited Series--Congratulations! ♥️
Fun. Exciting. Triumphant. Intrepid.🙌
https://t.co/P8QXbws8Ns

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@Pedro__Iniguez @xavier_agarcia I'm glad to see someone else sees the light. Team mayo all the way. Though Xavier and I have already chatted about this on Bluesky 😅

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

The next story finds our narrator having his period of rest & relaxation cut short – interrupted by another kid who found himself in dire straits, but make sure to check out part 1 first!
Only @intrepidusink

https://t.co/KkomfpdTs6

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

Thank you @beardedbetts!

We LOVE “Somewhere in the Lunar Wilderness.” Intrepid culture all the way.

Until next week & part 2 of the series, many thanks from all of us at Intrepidus Ink @RhondaSchlumpb @allisonrwrites @AmandaHurleyNet & Calie

Last 🧵/6
https://t.co/uTfEOR0cdC

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

I wanted these stories to convey the same intrepid ethos, but not tell the same story, though I did end up writing a similar situation – but I chose to have character actions play out a bit differently, while remaining true to the character/voice.
@intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

.@beardedbetts what challenges did you face in writing a limited series & what advice do you have for authors interested in doing the same? 🙌

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[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

@intrepidusink Having a great editor with a keen eye helps immensely, too 😉

[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

Pacing is key when writing flash & much of that has to do with showing vs telling – which is really choosing the best method to communicate to your readers. Sometimes dialogue is the best option, sometimes it’s slowing a moment down so readers bask in the tension.
@intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

.@beardedbetts share how and when you chose to show or tell during specific moments in your story to increase tension.

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[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

Difficult topics deserve respect and care, and treating both the situation and the characters with respect was key for this story. I think the heartbreaking aspect on something so real is what helps choke up readers.
@intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

.@beardedbetts the emotion in this specfic piece is over the top & dives unashamedly into the heart-breaking topic of human trafficking. 😡😪

Discuss how to make difficult topics choke up readers

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[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

It’s sort of a twofer for me, because it’s not just character, but character through plot. It’s about putting them in situations and making them react. In this story, our narrator could be an enabler to tragedy or try to help. That’s all it is.
@intrepidusink

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

Welcome @beardedbetts—AWESOME teaser—thank you! 🙌

Let’s dig into your narrator. He’s so take-charge! ♥️
Share your method for creating relatable characters.

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[Michael Bettendorf @BeardedBetts]

Hello! I'm thrilled to share this story with all of you. I'm incredibly grateful to @intrepidusink for having me. Perhaps the intro will clue you into the narrator's badassery!

[Intrepidus Ink @intrepidusink]

Author @BeardedBetts kicks off Part 1 of a two-story Limited Series featuring one of our favorite intrepid characters EVER 🙌

What makes the “Somewhere in the Lunar Wilderness” narrator bad ass? 🤔

YOU be the judge.
https://t.co/uTfEOR0cdC
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