Who I Am as a Writer/Editor
You might wonder why a sweet woman like me writes dark books focused on fictional serial killers. (The Darkness and the soon-to-be-published Last Breath). It’s simple–the whole thing fascinates me.
Having confronted the dark side, I now have the experience of knowing a sociopath or two. One was a serial rapist who threatened to kill me (“I’ll only murder them if I have to.”). Another was an ex-life partner. I’ve communicated on a deep level with remorseless, compassionless humans with no conscience or authentic emotions. And I have learned from these experiences and more.
Psychological Thrillers/Suspense with serial killer Edward Olson:
LAST BREATH (sequel to THE DARKNESS and soon to be published): When a nurse discovers her fiancé is a serial killer, she makes a desperate attempt to silence him in the ICU—but when he survives and escapes, she’s thrust into a cat-and-mouse game of obsession, deception, and survival that forces her to confront her own darkest truths
THE DARKNESS: A ruthless serial killer must confront the sinister entity that controls him before it consumes him entirely—and destroys his last chance at claiming the trophy of his darkest desires.
THE BEAUTIFUL EVIL and DREAM are both psychological suspense novels with paranormal elements.
THE BEAUTIFUL EVIL: After purchasing a mysterious Greek vase from a backstreet curio shop, an anxiety-driven woman finds her routine upended as strange events unfold—whispers in the night, visions of a wasplike companion, and a force that seems determined to rewrite her destiny.
DREAM: A bored housewife finds herself trapped in a vivid dream—one that thrusts her into a mesmerizing, perilous fantasy world where every step promises mystery, magic, and the adventure she never knew she craved. They are both multi-award winners.
The Darkness won the 2024 Page Turner Book Adaptation Award, with a prize of The Darkness being adapted to a screenplay. This psychological/suspense thriller is now adapted. Besides last year’s award, The Darkness is a Pageturner Long and Short List Finalist, Book Awards finalist (one of eleven finalists), Pageturner e-book award finalist, and the Readers’ Favorite Five-Star Award. The Darkness has won five other writing awards as well.
The Darkness is Book 1 of the trilogy, The Legacy of Darkness. Book 2, Last Breath, has just been completed, and The Becoming, Book 3, is currently in development. All serial killers.
My award-winning books include seven novels, five short-story collections, and one book of poetry. Published in magazines including Reader’s Digest, Redbook, Penthouse, and also college textbooks, my work has also been included in several anthologies. As editor-in-chief of the Redwood Writers 2018 anthology, I supervised the creation and publication of REDEMPTION: Stories From the Edge. My article, A VICTIM’S REVENGE was optioned twice for TV’s Movie of the Week, and I appeared on the Jane Whitney television show to discuss this experience.”
I am past president of the 350-member Redwood Writers and winner of both the prestigious Jack London Award and the Helen Barham Service Award.
Besides writing, my professional focus is developmental editing, content editing, and copyediting. I am also a watercolor artist, and, as I said, a sweet woman.
Find out more at robbibryant.com
What I Do
Developmental Edit / Substantive:
- a significant structural and in-depth critique of your work.
- help find and fix the “holes” or problems with your story.
- restructuring, rearranging, developing plot, and characterization.
Copy Edit:
- edit the manuscript for sentence structure.
- create a rhythm to your writing,
- correcting errors in style, fixing POV issues, and correcting dangling modifiers.
Proofread:
- read your manuscript to find errors:
- grammar, punctuation, and spelling.
Read-through Manuscript With Critique:
- read your manuscript with focus on the work as a whole.
- Are you accomplishing what you are intending to accomplish with your prose? Wouldn’t it be nice to find out?
Writing Coach: teaches you the secrets of a good story.
- Theme
- Point of View
- Plot
- Pacing
- Story Arc
- Character Development
- Character Arc
- Conflict/Tension
- Subtext and Dialogue
- Structure
- POV
- Setting
- Mood
- Voice
Contact me to discuss your particular needs, my editing process, and fees.
Who I Am as a Watercolor Artist
Robbi Sommers Bryant, a name that resonates with joy and whimsy in the art world, was born in the culturally rich city of Cincinnati. Her childhood unfolded in Finneytown, a serene suburb where the young Robbi was captivated by the social aspects of school and the thrill of learning. This intrinsic curiosity and enthusiasm for life would later pervade her art, imbuing it with a sense of unapologetic joy and humor.
Interestingly, Bryant’s journey to discovering her love for painting came later in life and somewhat unexpectedly. As a published author, she found herself creatively drained after her last book. It was during this hiatus, prompted by a suggestion from an article, that she ventured into painting. In 2021, after attending a watercolor class, Bryant experienced an artistic epiphany. The brush strokes unlocked a fervent passion within her, one she hadn’t recognized before.
Creativity runs in her family’s veins, albeit in different forms. Her mother dabbled in drawing, subtly laying the groundwork for Bryant’s artistic inclinations. Though she is primarily a self-taught painter, Bryant’s determination and passion have driven her to refine her technique through persistent trial and a generous amount of error.
Before fully embracing her artistic career, Bryant’s life was a tapestry woven with varied experiences. After graduating from Ohio State, she relocated to the Bay Area of California, where she made her mark as a dental hygienist and a writer. These diverse professional endeavors enriched her perspective and deepened her well of inspiration, which naturally informs her art.
Her work is a vibrant celebration of life’s lighter side. She draws her subjects from imagination, contemplating the scenes she wishes to paint the night before. This imaginative exercise reflects her belief in the playful aspects of existence. With commendable ease, Bryant infuses her paintings and clever titles with an unmistakable sense of whimsy, a defining characteristic that captures and delights her audience.
Bryant’s artistic influences include renowned figures such as Edward Hopper and George Tooker. Their distinct styles and thematic explorations resonate within her works, subtly guiding her creative spirit. Her dedication to her craft has earned her several accolades, including the audience favorite at both the 2022 and 2023 Springfield Township ArtsConnect shows.
Looking ahead, Bryant is set to showcase her whimsical artistry at the Cultural Arts Center at the Delhi Town Square in November 2024, marking a significant milestone on her artistic journey. Her work is lauded for its ability to evoke joy, a testament to its creator’s core philosophy of celebrating life’s everyday pleasures.
Outside the canvas, Bryant is fascinated by the aging process and enjoys socializing, activities that enrich her understanding of human experiences and relationships – an understanding that seeps into her vibrant paintings. Her dual career as a writer and editor complements her artistic endeavors, both rooted in a rich imagination and a flair for storytelling.
Through her art, Robbi Sommers Bryant aspires to remind us of the levity and humor in life, extolling the virtues of joy and whimsy in a world often fraught with seriousness. Her creative endeavors continue to inspire and elate those who encounter them, reinforcing the indispensable role of art in uplifting the human spirit.