This week I will be attending my writing group’s Xmas Party. This event is always fun with members relaying new stories or poems and a Secret Santa. Each year we marvel at the diversity of the potluck items. There never seems to be duplicates. I began my Xmas themed story but alas have not quite finished it…will have to hurry!
This year’s WFSC Christmas Party will be held at Social Grounds Coffeehouse, where the proprietors are committed to supporting local non-profits and local artisans. Coffee and snacks will be available for purchase at the coffeehouse but everyone will b ing a potluck item, a gift worth $10 suitable for a writer, and a Christmas themed story or poem to share.
Does your local writing group hold a Xmas party too?
Then on Saturday another all day event with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. Unlike last Saturday’s event it is in a venue we know well. Looking forward to the crowds and Christmas cheer.
December 16, 2017 Christmas Craft/vendor Show Time: 9:00–17:00 Agora, 401 Festival Lane, Sherwood Park, Alberta
What Christmas themed events are you attending in your area?
Although this week is usually my writing group’s sharing meeting, I will be attending another event, namely Canada 150 for 150 Volunteer Challenge. This event is a special celebration of volunteers in this 150th year of Canada. Each volunteer had to enter at least 150 hours in the year (easy for some – I have all my hours through the Writers Foundation and the Arts & Culture Council!) We will be presented with a special pin at Gallery 501, 120, 501 Festival Ave, Sherwood Park, AB T8A 4X3 on Tuesday 5th December at 7 pm.
My next event will be – DEC 9 10:00 – 4:00 pm Artists 4 Altruism Market and Fundraiser Four Points By Sheraton Edmonton South, 7230 Argyll Road, Edmonton, Alberta T6C 4A6. I will be attending with my publisher, Dream Write Publishing. This will be the second (or third) time we have participated in this event.
Other events:
DEC 5 FINAL 3-2-1 Indie Slam Qualifier and Open Mic 19:00 – 21:00 pm The Nook Cafe 10153 97 street, Edmonton, Alberta T5J 0L4
DEC 7 Writers’ Guild of Alberta Holiday Party (YEG) The Almanac 10351-82 ave, Edmonton, Alberta T6E 1Z9 – I am hoping to attend this one.
Why not add your local event in the comments? Share the promotion.
My only update is I broke the 25K mark on my new #YA novella – new total 25,684.
There will be a major disruption to my writing this week as I move home. This move has been a long time coming but finally I will have a small house to call my own in the place I have come to love since immigrating from England. In a perfect world I would have loved to have built a tiny house – an obsession of mine, however my new home is a smaller house with everything on the first floor (no more basement laundry – hurray) and a in-law basement suite for guests. It is close to my library, amenities and an easier commute to work.
For the last few weeks I have lain awake at night virtually moving furniture and pictures and visualizing what my new space will look like. The de-cluttering has been cathartic and a lot has made its way to the thrift store. Why do we hoard stuff?It’s not until we have to move it all that we realize it has sat on a shelf or been hidden in a cupboard forever. I admit I have been ruthless and feel lighter for it.
This is a new era for me and I am looking forward to it.
How did you cope with moving and how did it effect your writing?
This article was quite interesting. I could not move that often though!
Books: There has been some rather steamy paragraphs in this sequel, surprising but welcome as it propels the main characters forward in their relationship.
Writing Tips:
When freelancing communication is key between you and your client. Be open about any potential or known delays that might extend the project timeline. If your client is fully aware you can come to an agreement and adjust the deadline. Do not hide – be open – an informed client is a happy client.
Freelance Project key points:
Agree on the project price before work begins.
Set realistic deadlines – do not promise what is not achievable.
Establish exactly what your client requires of you and the project outline.
Anticipate push back – do not demean a client’s ideas, discuss them and find common ground.
Ensure you have frequent communication with your client.
Be ready to hand off work in a timely manner.
Be willing to teach a client on how freelancing works and your particular skill set in regards to the project.
I am moving home this week so will not be partaking in events for obvious reasons. Although, I am sad not to join in the Christmas story reading at Christmas in the Heartland this year, it has been wonderful the last several years I have attended. My writing group, Writers Foundation of Strathcona County resides at a historical house, Bremner House for the day. A day of arts and heritage activities, vintage tractors, aboriginal and Métis traditions, music and more. 1-4 pm 53452, Range Road 225 Sherwood Park.
Freehand Double Book Launch with Alison Watt and Daniel Griffin
Join Kathleen Smith, Paula Simons and Marty Chan on Saturday, Dec. 2 for a discussion around the Power of Social Media. The trio will discuss how they’ve managed tough situations and issues using social media, and if the social sphere helps or hurts in these situations.
I have to admit I have been rather distracted from my own writing recently (the freelance project is going well however). My distraction came in the form of a Netflix series called Peaky Blinders. Set in 1920’s Birmingham, UK the characters, especially Tommy Shelby, are captivating, raw, beautifully portrayed and ‘binge’ worthy. The story lines are inspired and as a writer this is ‘research’ at its best. The costumes, accents, locations and plot twists make this series one that will be remembered and referred to again and again.
Attention to detail makes the series really great and that is what all writers want to accomplish in their work too. We want our readers to envisaged our characters and their setting in vivid imagery. This is accomplished with speech patterns, descriptions, mannerisms and reactions to certain situations.
What methods do you use to bring your characters to life?
Books:
The second novel in this trilogy certainly does not disappoint.
Writing Tips: Marketing Your Book
Market and promote your book locally, then gradually expand your efforts. Create advertisements, such as business cards, posters and fliers, that will catch your target audiences’ eye. As a general rule, promoting your book locally is your best bet – use local newspapers, libraries, open mic nights, local writing groups and book clubs, etc.
Create an “elevator pitch”. With this focused message, aimed at a particular person or group you summarize why they should be interested in your book. Your elevator pitch should be no longer than two or three sentences focusing on your book’s selling points—the ones that make it unique and special.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 