I really enjoyed this story. A mystery, a realization of self and re-connecting with family. The author immersed me in her main character’s world and kept me turning the pages. My take away – be true to yourself.
Apologies for my tardiness, as it was Thanksgiving weekend in Canada, I enjoyed a weekend away and just relaxed. This is not a bad thing, we all need to decompress regularly. Hence, I did not draft a blog post for today – so I am late.
The trip was to Lloydminster, which is unique in the fact that it spans the Alberta and Saskatchewan border. This may seem unusual, but when you add in the fact that Saskatchewan has an extra sales tax, you can imagine how residents and commercial businesses have to juggle what is paid where! We discovered a wonderful park with the city and enjoyed a leisurely walk with the dogs.
A super chance encounter happened on the way home, when we spied a herd of small ponies. They were curious and met us at the fence. This is why we travel the back roads
I wrote this poem to reflect my road trip experiences.
ROAD TRIP THOUGHTS
Road trips are a joy, incorporating
New places explored
Frequent wildlife encounters
Cherished memories to share
***
Increased expectation and excitement
A check list of essentials made
Local sights and attractions investigated
Reservations confirmed and paid
***
Double checked suitcase contents
Cooler bag filled with bottled water
Snacks bought to dispense
Extra footwear, jackets and sunglasses
***
Early morning start, packing the trunk
A double check before we drive away
Puppies walked, fed, then harnessed in
Breakfast our first stop along the way
***
Routes taken – off highway & gravel
Multiple stops for photo opportunities
This is the only way to travel
Wildlife and scenery abound
***
Arrival at our lodgings, truck unpacked
Dogs walked, fed then settled
Organizing of our spaces, preferences known
Comfortable companionship not meddled
***
Evening meal eaten, then to relax
Tomorrow’s adventure discussed
Reading and writing commence
Time is not rushed
***
An easy morning routine
New adventures and sights shown
Snacks gathered and packed
Our destination known
Do you have road trip memories you would like to share?
A lot of us look forward to summer – it’s heat, long days and lazy days in the garden/yard. Of BBQ’s, beaches and the open road. This , of course, depends on the continent you live on and the weather cycles. I am not a heat person and like to stay at 22°C degrees with a breeze to keep the mosquitoes at bay. They absolutely love my English blood, here in Canada.
I wrote this poem a while ago about impending summer.
Summer, you are long awaited
Through snow, sleet and rain, your heat and blasting glory
Pull us through.
Memories of sea and sand, camp fires and BBQ gatherings
Pull us through.
Green lushness, long days and outside chores planned
Pull us through
Then you are here – Summer – our darling
Flowers are planted, friends and family gather and lawns cut
Joy abounds
Garden furniture released from storage and nature’s sounds surround
Joy abounds
Vacations, road trips and splashing in the pool
Joy abounds
Long awaited, now enjoyed.
We love you Summer.
***
This summer there will be road trips to look forward to based on a new contest for Go East. Linda and I have already collected stickers from two routes and will explore new places over the summer months. Our first trip was ambitious driving two routes in one long day (15 hours to be precise!), so now we have planned stop overs for the remaining routes. Making it much more leisurely and giving us the ability to explore more.
The other trip we are taking includes one of the areas included in the adventure game, but for another reason. We are hosting and presenting for When Words Collide. This is an annual event and is virtual this year. We have booked an isolated cabin on private land beside a lake. The perfect writing and relaxation retreat, as well as a great dog walking venue.
I have received the last editing workshop comments and will be diving into the next round of revisions of book one in the Delphic Murders, An Elusive Trail, in the coming weeks. I am excited for this project and hope that you will enjoy the stories once they are published.
My last review is for Unsheltered by Barbara Kingsolver
A beautifully told story centering around a particular house during two different time periods. Barbara has expertly woven the two story lines and the inhabitants lives together. The core of the novel centers on the real life of a intriguing woman, Mary Treat. Someone history should take notice of and celebrate.
My friend, Linda and I enjoyed an early morning visit to Elk Island National Park on Sunday and were rewarded with sightings of a herd of bison, a solitary goose atop a beaver lodge, signs of beaver activity, a super fast squirrel speeding across the road, a coyote out on the lake (no photo my cell can’t zoom in that far) and the sheer silence of nature. We drove under an Alberta blue sky streaked with wispy clouds.
I continue to edit my current manuscript and those of my fellow novel workshop friends. After a discussion about possible front covers for the series, Linda came up with an amazing idea. It will have to be kept under wraps until a later date though.
And managed to submit a poem to a local contest. So fingers crossed.
I also finished reading Ethan Hawke’s novel, A Bright Ray of Darkness. I will be attending the virtual book club to discuss the novel at Winterfest, which will be an exciting event.
My review:
Excellent use of language and paced well. The inner turmoil and mystifying disconnect of the main character to his life gave the reader an exceptional insight into the protagonist’s mind. A great story.
What are you currently reading? What was the last review you submitted?
I have returned to this book as I had to complete Ethan’s book prior to the event.
On a side note if you get the chance watch this movie. It is an extraordinary story and the imagery is unique.
Typically, I write my entire first draft without getting feedback, with the “door closed,” a la Stephen King. For me this draft is a flow of words as the story plays like a movie in my head. Yep, madness rules when a story grips me.
However, for the past few months, I did not look at my current manuscript. It was although, I had lost interest. Although, I read, edited and commented on other author’s works, mine was left desolate. As the COVID19 months passed, I became worried that the writing bug had left me. I felt bereft. I didn’t mean to stop writing.
Has that ever happened for you?
There are lots of reasons that our creativity, in whatever form, can be cast aside or forgotten. Illness, a new baby, a new relationship, a new home or job, divorce, financial stress and many more. To find that creative spark again, we can use one or more of the following:
1. Firstly, do not feel guilty – it is counterproductive and harassing your muse is a form of procrastination.
2. Start writing – use a prompt, do a character study, write out a story idea.
3. Keep Writing – give yourself a time limit 20 minutes or an hour, or write a page, or 250 words. Choose one and stick to it.
4. Finish a small project.
5. Talk to fellow authors.
6. Change the location of where you write – it can even be in a different room or somewhere local like your library.
7. Take a writing class.
8. Do another creative activity.
9. Make up book titles – based on well known novels or use a title generator on the internet.
10. Create a character description – including all their back story.
For me the spark came back after a discussion on strong female characters and how to make their role believable. It ignited that interest again and I spent the past weekend editing and polishing my steampunk heroine’s character. This writer is back!
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 