Dear Readers, I hope you're doing well--when this is published, I will have just come home from a church conference in Charlotte, North Carolina where I'm planning on spending time with a dear friend while my husband learns about leading as an elder in the church. Excited to spend some time with hubby and a friend I don't get to see very often.
I'm also excited that this blog allows me/us to meet people from all over the world! Enjoy...
Introduce yourself—name, where you’re from, and something people notice when they meet you:
My name is Ruth Wuwong, originally from Hong Kong. From a young age, I cultivated a profound love for reading and writing. I would spend hours at the library, devouring every book on a single shelf before moving on to the next. It seems I have a longing that can’t be satisfied by reality. Immersing myself in literature allows me to escape into worlds where I could become someone graceful, witty, and popular.
Currently, I work for a small biotech company and have published 120+ scientific books and papers. As a latecomer to the world of creative writing, I’ve released several books under different pen names. Fiction titles were published under R. F. Whong, while non-fiction books were published under Ruth Wuwong.
I’m married to my wonderful husband, a retired pastor who encourages me to pursue my dreams. We served together at three different churches from 1987 to 2020. Our adult son works in a nearby city.
Tell us about your book—title and back cover blurb?
My books tend to be serious. Essence of Illusion, released on 9/1/2024, is my seventh book. Here is some information about it:
Words: 58,000
Blurb:
A perfect murder… until it isn’t.
In tribute to Agatha Christie, this modern-day mystery series braids together a mesmerizing tapestry of illusion and enigma set in the idyllic Amish town of Paradise, PA. In Book 1, Tina Sheng and her eccentric friend, Amelia Pak, unravel a human trafficking case.
Now, a year later, Tina Sheng works as a fraud investigator in Paradise, Pennsylvania. She and Amelia find a series of internet posts about a faceless doll that appears with each occurrence of death. The writer warns that a serial killer is at large.
After a beloved friend passes, a similar doll is discovered in his hospital room. Law enforcement reveals no evidence of foul play. Then a few locals are found dead, each with a faceless doll lying beside the bodies. The case takes a twist when the spouse of one of the victims submits an insurance claim.
Tina is pulled into the investigation. To solve the mystery, she and her friends must navigate a web of deceit, greed, and power. As the drama unfolds, the truth may be even more twisted than anyone could have imagined.
Can justice be served?
Share an excerpt?
In fiction, using dialogue tags alone without action beats may cause certain issues. The following are some of my thoughts.
Pacing and Rhythm: Action beats help break up the speech, giving readers a sense of timing and rhythm.
Context: Dialogue tags alone (e.g., “he said,” “she replied”) provide no additional information about what’s happening in the scene. Action beats can offer clarity, showing what characters are doing or how they are feeling.
Characterization: Action beats offer opportunities to reveal character traits, emotions, and mannerisms. Without these, characters may seem two-dimensional.
Immersion: A dialogue-heavy text without accompanying action can feel less immersive. Readers need visual and sensory details to engage with a scene.
Confusion Over Who is Speaking: Even with dialogue tags, long stretches of dialogue without interruption can lead to confusion about who is speaking, especially in scenes with multiple characters.
Opportunities for Subtext: Action beats can provide subtext, showing characters’ body language, which often conveys more than words alone. Subtext adds depth and complexity to interactions.
Emotional Depth: Action beats can amplify the emotional weight of dialogue. Without them, intense scenes may lack the necessary impact or emotional resonance.
Here’s an excerpt taken from my book, Center of Enigma (released on 7/18/2024):
** Without Action Beats:
“Tina, it’s okay to cry,” Amelia said. “I’m here for you. Cry as much as you want.”
I replied, “I... I’m sorry to have disturbed your sleep.”
“It’s all right,” she said. “Care to tell me what’s bothering you?”
“My mother passed away when I was seven,” I said. “I’m scared. Where will I live once my grandaunt’s house is sold? How can I survive by myself?”
“Oh, Tina,” she said. “I had no idea your life was so tough.”
** With Action Beats:
“Tina, it’s okay to cry.” She rubbed my back. “I’m here for you. Cry as much as you want.”
I wrapped my arms around her, buried my head on her shoulder, and wailed. At last, I regained my composure. “I... I’m sorry to have disturbed your sleep.”
“It’s all right.” Her sturdy frame squeezed against mine. “Care to tell me what’s bothering you?”
“My mother passed away when I was seven.” I recounted my past, except for the part about Grandaunt Susie’s estate. “I’m scared. Where will I live once my grandaunt’s house is sold? How can I survive by myself?”
“Oh, Tina.” She hugged me even tighter. “I had no idea your life was so tough.”
Ask the blog reader a quirky question or two. I want to encourage comments and engagement. An example might be their best or worst Christmas memory. Share your answer and then look for theirs.
Do you think action beats in fiction are important?
Share your social media and buy links!
Facebook: https://m.facebook.com/ruth.wuwong
Twitter: https://twitter.com/RWuwong
Website: www.ruthforchrist.com
Free book to all! https://dl.bookfunnel.com/imbo3wp1rf
Thank you, Ruth, for being a guest and for being so generous--hope everyone has a wonderful week, Christina
I love mysteries. Your book sounds fabulous. My worse Christmas was spending it alone in a common room while my Dad was in the hospital. My Mom spent the time talking to him in his room while I sat for hours in the common room. Thank you so much for sharing. God bless you. Please stay safe everyone. Prayers for all who have been in the path of Helene.
Book excerpt sounds and looks interesting, look forward to reading this book in print format.
Thanks for the free book
Action beats are the best to deepen a scene, dialogue, and characters. I write them a lot! Nice to connect with you, Ruth. (Author E.V. Sparrow).