Whose eye is twitching reading this?
Enjoy your Friday and have a stupendous weekend! I am excited for my book launch tomorrow!
Friday Fun for Writers, Authors & Readers…
September 29, 2017
Monthly Archives: September 2017
Writing Hub -Books, Writing, Tips & more…
September 27, 2017
Writing:
I attended Word on the Street on Saturday in Lethbridge with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. We arrived rather too early to set up as the organizers were only just putting out the tables and chairs at the time we were informed we could set up. However, it wasn’t long before we saw our allocated tent was ready and we proceeded to arrange our display. With nearly 90 titles now published, we have to allot books to each event now – a time will come when we might need to invest in a half tonne truck! http://www.dreamwritepublishing.ca/
With my new romance novel, The Twesome Loop showing for the first time in public, the day was extra special for me. I even sold a couple of copies – even better!
The day was chilly but we maintained our cheer chatting with the many visitors and fellow authors in our tent.
The Sunday and Monday were mostly relaxing, reading and some writing although mine was mainly a blog post, creating a new title for my YA story and reading up on a potential freelance project.
Books: I did manage to spend time reading this fascinating and lovely book but did not finish it quite yet.
Writing Tips:
What’s your favorite writing tip?
Upcoming & Past Writing Events- Add Yours for your Location…
September 25, 2017
I attended Word on the Street on Saturday in Lethbridge with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. We arrived rather too early to set up as the organizers were only just putting out the tables and chairs at the time we were informed we could set up. However, it wasn’t long before we saw our allocated tent was ready and we proceeded to arrange our display. There is even a photo of us doing just that! Are we eager or what?
With only room for a selection of Dream Write books (there are nearly 90 titles in total) we arranged the books we had brought and I was allowed to spotlight my romance novel, The Twesome Loop at one end. Unfortunately the weather was not kind as it was really cold so jackets and scarfs remained on almost all day until the afternoon sun showed its face.
My first sale of The Twesome Loop was to a member of the Lethbridge writing group, The Riverbottom Writers. Thank you Amanda! She was rather pleased with my written comment inside her signed copy.
My second sold copy went to Leslie, who is also a Riverbottom Writers member – thank you for supporting my writing.
Next Saturday is Words in the Park in Sherwood Park and it will be the official launch of The Twesome Loop.
I have created a prize basket, which is Italian themed and includes a copy of the novel. I wanted it to be as tempting as possible – note the bottle of red wine & wine glass!
After months of planning everything is ready for the 10th anniversary of Words in the Park, which in an official ‘pop-up’ site for Alberta Culture Days (also celebrating 10 years). We expect a great attendance with 33 authors and 7 artisans displays, discussing and selling their books/crafts. There is also interactive sessions, children’s activities and food to enjoy. http://wfscsherwoodpark.com/words-in-the-park
I have some downtime after this event until 7th October when I will be making a presentation for a local company, Pinebox Funerals at their annual event. This falls under my other writing hat – freelance writer.
This will be followed with an author event on 11th October at Audreys Books, Edmonton.
So as you can see I’m rather busy. I need to make a decision on the excerpt I will share of The Twesome Loop at this venue – romantic rather than erotic I feel would be preferable.
What events do you have coming up? Why not share them in the comments. Free publicity is never a bad thing!
Other Events:
Kingston Writers Fest runs September 27–October 1 in Kingston, ON, featured Canadian authors including S.K. Ali, Michelle Berry, Janie Chang, Karen Connelly, Adam Gopnik, Helen Humphreys, Kyo Maclear, Lee Maracle, Alison Pick, Diane Schoemperlen, Merilyn Simonds, Leanne Betasamosake Simpson, and Kathleen Winter.
Books and readers take over Victoria, BC, from September 27-October 1 with the Victoria Festival of Authors, featuring Carleigh Baker, Gurjinder Basran, Lorna Crozier, Esi Edugyen, Zsuzsi Gartner, Barbara Gowdy, Yasuko Thanh, Zoe Whittall, and Robert J. Wiersema.
From September 29-30, Lunenburg, NS, hosts the Lunenberg Lit Festival, this year with Romeo Dallaire, Pauline Dakin, Nino Ricci, Terry Fallis, and other great writers.
What literary events are in your area this week?
Friday Fun for Writers, Authors & Readers…
September 22, 2017
Dare you?
Funny not funny? #writers know
New Muses – can you think of one?
A writers fear?
Care to share a ‘literary’ joke?
Writing Hub -Books, Writing, Tips & more…
September 20, 2017
Writing:
As many of you know I love prompts, as they inspire and refresh the Muse. At my last writing meeting our prompt was: you find a box underneath your seat on a train. This was my response.
Box of Resource
My ankle struck a sharp edge and I let out a cry. Rubbing my bruised skin I noticed the brass hinge of a box wedged underneath the train carriage seat. After a couple of tugs to free the object, it was revealed as an old wooden box with elaborate brass hinges and decoration on all sides as well as the top. It was a woodland scene with an inset of silver representing the moon through an arch of gnarly trees. I tried the clasp but it was locked. I looked under the seat again hoping to find a key but only found a discarded piece of chewing gum and several wrappers sticky with candy.
I place the box on the tabletop and turned it this way and that admiring the workmanship. When I lifted it and shook it there was a gentle knocking sound. Something heavy was inside, but what? The guard came walking towards me and asked for my ticket, I produced it and he clipped a hole into it.
“That’s a beautiful box; a lot of work went into that I’m sure.”
“Yes it is lovely isn’t it?”
Once he left I wondered why I hadn’t revealed that the box was not actually mine. Pushing the box to one side I organized my space, backpack beside me, a novel on the table with a bottle of juice and a sandwich. Traveling at night is much more relaxed and not so crowded.
I read for a while and must have dozed off because a gentle shaking of my shoulder woke me.
“You have the box.”
I looked at the man confused at his words as my sleepy mind tried to become fully awake.
“I’m sorry, what?”
“The box of resource, there in front of you, I was not expecting a messenger.”
The man’s words did not make sense but he smiled kindly at me. He lifted the box and put it into a large canvas bag. As he turned away I asked
“What is the box of resource? I found it underneath this seat. I’m not a messenger.”
“Ah, I see that explains your confusion. It contains an ancient scroll that must be returned to the Vatican. It holds the…well I must not delay you.”
He looked up alarmed, turned and exited the train at a run along the platform. I so wanted to follow him but by the time I had packed my backpack he was nowhere in sight. My only clue -he was going to the Vatican. Well Rome is the city I will be living in for the next four years so maybe I will find him again and he will tell me what the box contains.
Why not write a short story using this prompt and share in the comments?
Books: I am enjoying this narrative as it is set in two time periods, like my novel, The Twesome Loop. The characters are well rounded and the ‘discoveries’ are intriguing.
Writing Tips:
Break writing rules with intention.
As Pablo Picasso so wisely said, “Learn the rules like a pro, so you can break the rules like an artist.”
There are times to stick to the rules, and there’s those times to think beyond them … in any kind of writing.
What ‘rules’ have you broken?
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 