I've heard it said, on numerous occasions, that one of the hardest things for some authors to do, is pick a title for their masterpiece. Up until now, I found that interesting, because for me, the titles were always the next thing that popped into my head after the first paragraph did. However, the bunch that took the stage this time are stubborn. Yes, another book is on the horizon and the story is being told, but my characters have yet to reveal the title and honestly, it's driving me crazy. Arg!!! (I think they're rebelling).
As their words flow across the pages, the fact that their story doesn't have a name is never far from the forefront of my mind. Which, of course, means, I'm constantly shushing them when my brain decides to change direction and runs through a plethora of possible titles. In essence... this bunch has me struggling. Hmm, maybe I'll push them to the back of the line and see who's next. I'm allowed to do that, after all, I'm the author.
Have a great day.
Monday, 30 January 2012
Monday, 23 January 2012
What Do I Do Now?
The weekend went well and Soul Control is now in the hands of the judges at Amazon. Fingers crossed that my *##@@ 300 word hook sends it to the second round and if not... well, we won't think about it.
For the past couple of months I've been working on Soul Control and it is now fully and utterly complete. I've read over and over, and I don't think I can tweak it anymore. Now what do I do?
Well, I'm simply going to give my brain a rest, even though I'm certain others are already sneaking in the back door and will soon step on stage, wanting their stories written -- until then, I'm going to enjoy the silence, because it will probably only last a day, if I'm lucky.
Have a great day.
For the past couple of months I've been working on Soul Control and it is now fully and utterly complete. I've read over and over, and I don't think I can tweak it anymore. Now what do I do?
Well, I'm simply going to give my brain a rest, even though I'm certain others are already sneaking in the back door and will soon step on stage, wanting their stories written -- until then, I'm going to enjoy the silence, because it will probably only last a day, if I'm lucky.
Have a great day.
Friday, 20 January 2012
Nathanael and Saydi in a Contest
Well, I'm a bit nervous for Sunday night. Why? Because I'm going to enter Saydi and Nathanael in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Contest. Yes, I believe they're story is that good.
Because it is not a contracted work nor a published work yet, I am eligible to submit it and am very excited/nervous. So guess what I'll be doing all weekend. Yes, the dreaded of all things... a 300 word hook, which of course runs along the same as a (gasp! Choke!)... query.
Wish me luck. Oh! By the way, the title of Nathanael and Saydi's story -- Soul Control.
Have a great day and weekend
Because it is not a contracted work nor a published work yet, I am eligible to submit it and am very excited/nervous. So guess what I'll be doing all weekend. Yes, the dreaded of all things... a 300 word hook, which of course runs along the same as a (gasp! Choke!)... query.
Wish me luck. Oh! By the way, the title of Nathanael and Saydi's story -- Soul Control.
Have a great day and weekend
Thursday, 19 January 2012
Share A Blessing
This morning we woke up to minus 26 degrees Celsius and it's been like that for the last few days here in the great white north. Yesterday morning was even worse, we woke up to minus 33 degrees Celsius and with the wind chill, it was minus 41... Yes you heard right and the day before that it was a balmy minus 28 with a wind chill that put us at minus 30 something. Brrr! These kind of days make me wonder why I live here. However, they also help me realize how blessed we are.
Why do I bring this up? Because it’s on these days that the homeless sit heavy on my mind. Have you ever noticed during the warm days their out and about, doing their daily routines? Such as finding bottles to make enough cash for a meal, maybe scoping out a certain area they want to claim for a nights rest, they're there in plain sight -- but it's on these extremely cold days that those same people become invisible.
They hide from the cold, trying to find a place to stay out of the wind and when it's this cold, it's almost impossible to scour the back alleys to find those ever elusive bottles they so desperately need. Not only that, let's face it, we all hunker down inside, not wandering to far from the comfort of our warm buildings, complaining how cold it is and whining to management to turn the heat up, so we don't have wear that sweater that's draped over the back of our chair.
On these days, the homeless' fight for survival, is no longer to get through the next twenty four hours, it's trying to get through the next minute, hoping a hot meal might be on the horizon or better yet, that they make it through the night. The reason they're there is not for me to question nor judge, everyone's story is different and it would do some of us good to remember that 60% of middle class families (yes people you know) are one paycheque away from homelessness themselves.
We are blessed with our ability to be able to give a toque, mitts, scarf or maybe, something as simple as putting those empties out in a back alley instead of taking them to the bottle depot.
Have a great day.
Why do I bring this up? Because it’s on these days that the homeless sit heavy on my mind. Have you ever noticed during the warm days their out and about, doing their daily routines? Such as finding bottles to make enough cash for a meal, maybe scoping out a certain area they want to claim for a nights rest, they're there in plain sight -- but it's on these extremely cold days that those same people become invisible.
They hide from the cold, trying to find a place to stay out of the wind and when it's this cold, it's almost impossible to scour the back alleys to find those ever elusive bottles they so desperately need. Not only that, let's face it, we all hunker down inside, not wandering to far from the comfort of our warm buildings, complaining how cold it is and whining to management to turn the heat up, so we don't have wear that sweater that's draped over the back of our chair.
On these days, the homeless' fight for survival, is no longer to get through the next twenty four hours, it's trying to get through the next minute, hoping a hot meal might be on the horizon or better yet, that they make it through the night. The reason they're there is not for me to question nor judge, everyone's story is different and it would do some of us good to remember that 60% of middle class families (yes people you know) are one paycheque away from homelessness themselves.
We are blessed with our ability to be able to give a toque, mitts, scarf or maybe, something as simple as putting those empties out in a back alley instead of taking them to the bottle depot.
Have a great day.
Tuesday, 17 January 2012
New Year - New Me?
It is a new year and most have made resolutions, whether they're successful or not, remains to be seen. Did I make a resolution? No, but I did make myself a promise to change something that I noted about myself (yes another discovery, geez!). What I noted since writing, is I found myself somewhat shy. Actually, it felt like I was in highschool again, a place where I was enormously shy.
When did I discover this? Well, it took a small thing to enlighten me to such a huge problem -- my eyes would constantly stay on the ground, in a room of strangers and I would only engage them if they approached me or if I had no choice, such as a clerk at a store. Then upon further investigation, it came to light that even at my book signings, I simply smiled, but would never approach someone unless they took an interest. Not a good place to be when you're an author.
Truly, I don't know where it came from, because after highschool I conquered that stigmatism and became quite outgoing (no, not annoying outgoing). So, whatever triggered my old ways I'll never know. All I know is...I'm going to change it with one eye contact and one smile at a time.
Have a great day.
When did I discover this? Well, it took a small thing to enlighten me to such a huge problem -- my eyes would constantly stay on the ground, in a room of strangers and I would only engage them if they approached me or if I had no choice, such as a clerk at a store. Then upon further investigation, it came to light that even at my book signings, I simply smiled, but would never approach someone unless they took an interest. Not a good place to be when you're an author.
Truly, I don't know where it came from, because after highschool I conquered that stigmatism and became quite outgoing (no, not annoying outgoing). So, whatever triggered my old ways I'll never know. All I know is...I'm going to change it with one eye contact and one smile at a time.
Have a great day.
Monday, 16 January 2012
Wonderful Times
Happy Monday everyone! I only say that because, if I speak it, it will come true... Right?
Well, regardless of what today brings, I'm forever thankful for this past weekend. I was in Jasper and it couldn't have been more beautiful. As we strolled along main street, checking out what each and every store had to offer, a light snow fell, there was no wind and it was warm -- it truly stepped you back in time, making it feel like an old Christmas all over again. It also helped that it was the yearly festival they call "Jasper in January" and that meant all the Christmas lights and decorations remained, giving the town even more of the ambiance of times gone by. It truly was a peaceful and beautiful weekend.
Have a great day.
Well, regardless of what today brings, I'm forever thankful for this past weekend. I was in Jasper and it couldn't have been more beautiful. As we strolled along main street, checking out what each and every store had to offer, a light snow fell, there was no wind and it was warm -- it truly stepped you back in time, making it feel like an old Christmas all over again. It also helped that it was the yearly festival they call "Jasper in January" and that meant all the Christmas lights and decorations remained, giving the town even more of the ambiance of times gone by. It truly was a peaceful and beautiful weekend.
Have a great day.
Friday, 13 January 2012
Friday the 13th
Everyone today will be all abuzz about it being Friday the 13th, supposedly the unluckiest day of all. Why?
Well, we all know that it started with movies and media branding the 13th an unlucky day, but my thoughts are this: If you keep repeating that its going to be unlucky, then it will be... if you speak it out loud, it will come to pass. You are the creator of your days, you have control in how you look at it... if you choose to point blame at a number, on a certain day, remember...when you point a finger, three are pointing right back at you.
I choose to make it my luckiest day. What about you?
Have a wonderful day and weekend.
Well, we all know that it started with movies and media branding the 13th an unlucky day, but my thoughts are this: If you keep repeating that its going to be unlucky, then it will be... if you speak it out loud, it will come to pass. You are the creator of your days, you have control in how you look at it... if you choose to point blame at a number, on a certain day, remember...when you point a finger, three are pointing right back at you.
I choose to make it my luckiest day. What about you?
Have a wonderful day and weekend.
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