Yesterday I finished reading The Things We Do For Love by Kristin Hannah (2004 -Ballentine Books). It was an enjoyable read, quck and easy but focused on some very heavy topics. And it made me recognize the themes that draw me into my favourite novels. I’ve decided my passion lies in ‘the rescue and the fix-up.’ That [...]
Encouraged by fellow members of the Vancouver Island Chapter of the RWA®, Mimi Barbour and Shelley Adina, I finally took the plunge into e-publishing. My début Young Adult novel ‘Little White Lies’ is available to readers around the world. ‘Little White Lies’ is the first book in The Girlfriends Series. ‘Little White Pills’ and ‘Little White Magic’ will follow shortly. [...]
I guess a little ‘backstory’ is important here. I’m not a machine kind of woman. Negotiating around my computer is a struggle. Some aspects of technology leave me stymied. I remember the era of land-lines with long cords. Naturally, this leaves me in a vulnerable position. Time to bring in the talent! Jacqui Nelson to the rescue. She is a remarkable Historical [...]
A couple of weeks ago I attended an informative workshop given by Shelley Bates/Shelley Adina/Adina Senft in Victoria, B.C. hosted by the Vancouver Island Chapter of the RWA. Shelley holds an M.F.A. in Wrting Popular Fiction from Seton Hill University in Pennsylvania, where she teaches as adjunct faculty. She is a multiple award winner and a [...]
No kidding! That is the name of the unique resturant that Mimi and I met at in Casa Grande, Arizona. We spent over three hours sharing our writing lives, swapping stories about the state of the publishing business and having a stellar time. Sometimes one has to have a writerly discussion with someone who is deep [...]
Sometimes, you have to trust a new author and simply offer yourself up to the reading experience. And I certainly chose an excellent writer. A neighbour suggested that I read ‘State of Wonder’ by the talented Ann Patchett. And I did. I was thrust into the complex world of obsessed scientists and an unusual and convoluted plot. This [...]
I was reading the Globe and Mail newspaper, published in Toronto, Ontario on Saturday, September 29th and noted an article by Sandra Martin entitled ‘Blessed or Scarred’. In her book review, Ms. Martin commented on J.K. Rowling’s foray into adult fiction, ‘The Casual Vacancy’. I was intrigued as Ms. Rowling previous writings could be characterized [...]
In the 2012 fall edition of Writer’s Workbook (published by Writer’s Digest) Harlan Coben reflects on his writing life, sharing tips and strategies that have worked for him. Harlan Coben is an international best-seller with more than 50 million books in print worldwide. He’s best known for his signature element: the plot twist. His last five novels [...]
Yes, I truly am. I’m in awe of novelists who work on book after book. And complete book after book. I admire their dedication to their craft and sticking to their writing schedule until they reach ‘The End’. My latest manuscript has been a struggle. I was trapped in the desert of my own thoughts. I [...]
At least for some authors who attended ‘Crime-Writing Day’ at The Greater Victoria Public Library last Saturday. Now I’m not a crime writer, however, writing mystery and suspense appeal to me. So off I went. And best of all it was free. The drive there was great and I planned my day so that I would [...]