It’s always fabulous to discover a new writer. This past week I devoured Sarah Dessen’s novel ‘Along for the ride’. Ms. Dessen is the author of eight previous books and her work is gathering lots of attention. This book focuses on the lives of two teen misfits, Auden a brilliant academic, a product of a restricted childhood and Eli [...]
My dad’s mantra soared into my brain this week. For years I heard his favourite refrain ‘When in doubt, go back to school’. And I have to say that message has worked for me. While taking courses I’ve always discovered things about myself and ideas about life that help me make better sense of my world. This [...]
I was trying to understand one day, why I find inviting family and friends to our dinner table so interesting. Then I realized what my emotions were all about. When we sit down together to share a meal, not only are we swapping family stories but we are using dishes and other items from relatives that are no longer with me. At my [...]
That thousands of people would be reading a novel where the Point of View Character is … a dog. Yes, you’ve guessed correctly. I’m speaking about Enzo, the beloved canine in Garth Stein’s The Art of Racing in the Rain (HarperCollins Publishers, 2008). Above everything, The Art of Racing in the Rain is a love story. [...]
Chinese New Year this year falls on Valentine’s Day, February 14th, 2010. What a wonderful alignment of events! This is The Year of the Tiger – with the focus on courage, power and optimism. I like these descriptors as it seems they are the qualities that one requires for maintaining focus in the writing business. ‘Courage’ reminds me that I can [...]
A huge bookstore, a cafe and time. Last weekend I had the first two elements. I could have stayed in the Barnes and Noble store for a day. However, after quick power shopping I exited with two great magazines, Shambhala Sun and Writer’s Digest. As. well as four new books. I found ‘The Art of Racing in the [...]
I love New Year’s Day and the month of September. I guess it’s because I like to start afresh with new writing supplies. I love my 2010 day planner and it’s a treat to find other office stuff to help me focus on my writing. I love paper, stickies, high-lighters, journals, notebooks, and recipe cards. I feel the same excitement in September. In fact, for a [...]
I’m working hard in the pool these days. I’m re-connecting with my body and along the way re-connecting with my mind. I’m feeling more alert, more enthusiastic and more energized. Of course, I know that there’s a tremendous correlation between the body and the mind. But sometimes one has to ‘get out there’ and ‘do [...]
This past week I met an elderly woman in a small library close to where I’m living. Initially we didn’t speak and then we started making conversation. She looked like the kind of woman, a grandmother, probably a great-grandmother who might be searching for knitting magazines or a Reader’s Digest. A huge cloth book bag dangled from [...]
Sometimes you just have to write. And today I did. And it felt good. After weeks of fussing, reading, thinking, Googling, pondering, charting etc. I finally tackled my new novel. I thought I knew where it was going. I sort-of-do and sort-of-don’t. And I’m learning that’s okay. All writers have some sort of process and [...]