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.
As I have said before most of my writing is focused on my freelance ‘ghost writing’ project at the moment so my YA novella has fell by the wayside for the moment. I will be utilizing several hours prior to tonight’s Arts & Culture Council Board meeting to write in my local library this evening.
What writing projects are you working on this week?
Books:
Review: What a great pirate story with a twist! A female pirate, whose mission is revenge but she finds something else along the way. Great tension, surprises and engaging characters. You will love Shelly and her crew and be propelled to turn another page. I loved this book.
I have become quickly immersed in the second novel by Jaime McLachlan, Pawn of the Phoenix. It continues the story of Moira and Keenan and their quest to find the phoenix. The characters, world building and plot are totally tantalizing and real.
What are you reading at the moment?
Writing Tips:
Allow your story to end.
This may sound trivial, but in fact it’s crucial, and a stumbling block for many writers. You need to find an ending to your story, and let go of it. You need to decide to end the writing and declare your novel finished at some point.
Let Go of Your Fear of Failure, or Success.
When that moment comes, when you decide to start writing, don’t think about publishing, about royalty checks, about reviews in the New York Times, or if your novel will it the bestseller lists. Trust me; it’s a very, very long road. Just, you know, write.
I have a couple of events coming up this Saturday – one in a local book store – Star Wars themed and then an author reading later in the afternoon – Halloween themed. I have not decided which story I will relay quite yet. It depends on the audience. If there are a number of young children I will most likely read Rumble’s First Scare but if it is mainly an adult audience then I will choose a scarier story. Maybe the true story of my first encounter with ‘predictive death’ or a true ghost story. We will see.
What events do you have coming up this week?
Oct 24 7:00 pm – 21.00 pm
The Nook Cafe, 10153-97 Street, Edmonton T5J 0L4
OCT 28 STAR WARS READS 11:00 – 15:00 The Sherwood Park Bookworm 62 Athabasca Avenue, Sherwood Park, Alberta T8A 4E3
And my next reading will be here:
From October 25 to November 5, the Banff Mountain Film and Book Festival puts readers up where they belong, in Banff, AB.
Well what can I say I am still floating with happiness with the spectacular response to my romance novel, The Twesome Loop on Saturday! Seven books purchased and the prize draw basket won, and the recipient messaged me on Sunday to say they were half way through the book, and enjoying the wine and pasta.
I was certainly happy with how my table display worked out – but am thinking I will need to investigate some sort of shelving system soon. I can’t have three tables!! B the way the artwork is by the owner of Spark Gallery – Glen Roland. His work is spectacular.
With over 30 authors, 9 artisans, musicians, dancers, a clown, a great food truck and more it was a special day all round. It was a great way to celebrate 10 years of Words in the Park.
My next event is this Saturday I will do a presentation/speech for a local company, Pinebox Funerals at their annual event. This falls under my other writing hat – freelance writer.
Other events:
WGA Open Mic Night – Read Like the Pros(e) – Edmonton
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.
Mandy Eve-Barnett's Blog for Readers & Writers 