Writing has been spasmodic this past week but I have accomplished several ‘to do’ items on my list. I have increased the word count on my YA novella, which now has the new title of Creature Hunt on Planet Toaria. The word count stands at 24,491 as of today. I think the new title reflects the age group and hopefully will intrigue them.
The fairy story, I submitted for an anthology has been edited a couple of times and I am happy with the changes.
My freelance project is continuing and the collaboration with my client is working well.
1. This is All a Lie – Thomas Trofimuk *
2. Maybe This Time: A Colorado Ice Novel – Jennifer Show *
3, Raincheck – Marlo Lanz
4. Origin – Dan Brown
5. This Wound is a World (Poetry) – Billy-Ray Belcourt
6. Alice Network – Kate Quinn
7. A Legacy of Spies – John Le Carre
8. Left-Handed Dinner Party & Other Stories – Myrl Coulter
9. Never Let Me Go – Kazuo Ishiguro 10. The Twesome Loop – Mandy Eve-Barnett
Books:
Enjoying this detective versus serial killer story even though it is not a genre I normally read. My friend V.J. has a great style and keeps the tension going.
Looking forward to reading this by a new local author I connected with a while ago.
Writing Tips for famous authors:
Use concrete imagery when you write about large, abstract themes – Wislawa Szymborska
Work stories out in your head when you can’t write – Alice Munroe
Make people believe in your story first and foremost – Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Don’t focus on the end goal excessively as you write – John Steinbeck
As most of you know I take advantage of any opportunity to write. On Monday, I wrote several chapter summaries and two whole chapters for my ghost writing project. Great you say – however my location was rather usual – in the waiting area of Canadian Tire – as my new tires/tyres were fitted! Luckily I was the only one who took advantage of this space so was not interrupted.
Other writing during our long Thanksgiving weekend was a blog post for Monday and agendas for my writers group AGM Tuesday and Arts Council Board meeting on Thursday.
I also practiced reading aloud for my event today – Fall into Romance at Audreys Books, Jasper Avenue, Edmonton.
I even got some writing done prior to the AGM as it was close to my local library! Another 647 words – not great but good.
What did you do with your long weekend – Canadian authors?
Books:
Well this was a delight – two time periods, lots of wonderfully well-rounded characters, a superb plot, a glimpse at how life is affected by Asperger’s and intrigue throughout.
I recommend this book to everyone! We travel through France and Italy, experience the trials of two women in two eras and how their surroundings and the people around them take their toil.
My writing has been rather a ‘mixed bag’ this week – continuing with my YA novella, creating the next issue of the newsletter for the Arts & Culture Council, and work on the ghost writing project, as well as preparation for my speech/presentation on Saturday. In all a good writing week.
Last night’s writers meeting prompt was fun we had ten minutes to write a short story or poem – the title was The Reluctant. Someone who is reluctant to leave or enter something or somewhere. This was my response:
Tom touched the door handle then released it, then touched it again. His nervousness increased and at the third touch he was conscious of his sweaty palm. Just do it – its going to be fine! Breathing deeply he grabbed the handle with as much resolve as he could. It turned slowly releasing the catch. A sudden fluttering above him broke his fierce concentration and he uttered a squeal. Dumb bird get out of here. As Tom turned to face the door again he saw it was ajar – his teeth chattered as his fear increased. What is in there? Why did I say I would go in?
Giggling from the hedge reminded him why – to be in the gang, you had to walk inside and inside for ten minutes. Tom felt Rod, Gary and Sam’s eyes on him. I have to do this or they will forever tease me.
With a deep breath he pushed the door open, walked inside the gloom and shut the door behind him. Dust flew in every direction, old tattered curtains billowed at the glass-less windows and broken furniture lay scattered around him. Graffiti across every wall was evidence of other intruders. He stood still unable to move but determined to make the ten minutes and be part of the Grant Street Gang.
Books: I am tantalizing close to the end of this novel, in truth I don’t want it to end. I love the characters in both modern and period eras. A parallel love interest in both has me turning the pages as well as the dread that something awful will happen soon.
I have been given a book to review and bought one from a young author on Saturday, these will be added to my pile.
My review: I read the whole story last night – it is captivating. You have excellent world building, intriguing characters and plot. Love the design – it so unique. Thoroughly enjoy it! Looking forward to the next installment.
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.
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.
Enjoying this detective versus serial killer story even though it is not a genre I normally read. My friend V.J. has a great style and keeps the tension going.
