Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Google Editions

Interesting commentary about the new Google Editions from Ward Six. Would this be a way for an aspiring author to distribute their work? It'll be intersting to see how this goes.


Ward Six: So what do we think about Google Editions?: "Google's ebooks venture, Google Editions, appears poised to launch within the next month, and in theory, I like it. I've been begging anybo..."

Monday, November 1, 2010

Working Title: Gunshot – Entry #3

I finally have gotten back to my novel, at least a little bit.  Here’s a short paragraph of what I wrote today.

There was a man waiting for us outside the restaurant.  He was leaning against Fin’s car.  He had a black goatee and his black hair was slicked back.  It was shiny.  I was afraid the moment I saw him.  I thought, this is it, this is when I’ll hear more gunshots. 

Thursday, October 28, 2010

The Sharp Angle: Quotable Quotes

A great post about quotes. Some are about life, others are about writing. I always enjoy quotes. I think they're fun.


The Sharp Angle: Quotable Quotes: "'Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius, and it's better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.' ~Marilyn Monroe 'Do what y..."

My contribution:
So the writer who breeds more words than he needs, is making a chore for the reader who reads.
- Dr. Seuss

Tuesday, October 26, 2010

A Message and An Article from The Globe and Mail

This is supposed to a blog about my writing.  My writing often reflects the world I live in and this is something important. 

High School is four years.  I know if feels like forever, but once it's over, you never have to go back.  I'm glad I never have to go back.  Read the article, watch the video.

Trust the Web: It Gets Better - The Globe and Mail

Saturday, October 23, 2010

A Title Dilemma

I’m working on a short story right now.  The title I have for it is “The Lie”.  I can’t use this title; at least I don’t think so.  Sometimes I think it sounds boring, other times I think it sound ominous.  A title option I came up with this weekend was “On Solace”.  I don’t know if I like it either.  The story is about a young woman who is the kind of person who feels alone in a crown.  She’s down, though she pretends to be upbeat and positive.  She wants to be alone, but puts aside her feelings to help her friend who is going through an emotional difficulty.  She wonders if the lie she is living can become the truth.

Can a lie become true if you repeat it enough?

As good as I feel now, as much as it may seem that I am heading towards wholeness, I feel that this is only a temporary reprieve. Gabrielle’s positivity is infectious. But my mind will heal itself; stop adapting to the emotions of my friend. I will go back to seek solace. This is not the end. This is not even a beginning.  It is another ripple in a dark pool.



Friday, October 15, 2010

Background Images

I have to change this background.  I like it.  It’s what the template came with.  However, today, while traveling through the blogosphere, I found another blog with the same background.  It was very disconcerting.  I suddenly felt like I lost my uniqueness or individuality.  I’m going to change the background.  I want it to be like my other blog, a picture I’ve taken and worked to make it more…interesting.  For the time being, I might just change it to another of the stock pictures.  Just until I capture the right storm image.

Tuesday, October 5, 2010

Writing Contests

Four writing contests are coming up in the next few months that I’m considering entering.  Four is a lot when you often have to pay $20-$30 per entry.  I’m looking at around $100.  Is it worth it to enter all or should I just enter two?  I write because I love writing.  Money stresses me out, which then impacts my ability to concentrate on what I’m writing.

Maybe this is too much information.

What matters is that I want to polish four stories, two by the end of October and two by the end of December.

Should I say which contests I’m thinking about?

I should just get back to writing, right?

Friday, September 24, 2010

What I’ve been working on today

The working title for the story is Dear Sarah.

I’ve been following you for a long time.  I have to say, you’re an amazing artist and person.  My favourite painting of yours has to be “Memoirs of a self-portrait.”  You described it as being of yourself, but also what others perceive you to be.  The eyes reached me the most.  They were the most vibrant blue.  I know you flecked them in the painting with silver and white, but the blue behind, the blue of the sky, that was the real you.  The use of all your previous hair colours was interesting.  You’ve certainly gone through the rainbow.  My favourite is your natural colour, that rich, chocolate brown, though I know right now your hair is a delicious golden brown with fine streaks of blonde.  It is very modern of you, though I think you’re a classic beauty.

This is just the first paragraph.  I know where I want the story to go, I’m just not sure how to get there.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Passing this along from... The Book Mine Set: Passing this along...

CBC Literary Awards are coming up. November 1st is the deadline date. Hopefully, I'll be ready. Click below for the original post and more information.

The Book Mine Set: Passing this along...

www.cbc.ca/literaryawards

Monday, September 13, 2010

From: The Sharp Angle: The First One Is Only Practice

A great list of things learned while writing and after writing a first novel.

The Sharp Angle: The First One Is Only Practice: "Here are some things I learned while writing my first novel: Writing a science fiction novel is not the same as writing a science fiction s..."

Sunday, September 12, 2010

Rejection, Short Story

I received a rejection this past week from a small literary journal. I’m not going to name the publication, because I have nothing against them and I may also submit to them again in the future. Apparently, the subject matter wasn’t what the publication was looking for. This is mostly my fault. I browsed their website, but didn’t actually pick up a copy to read. Sometimes this is an important step in getting to know what kind of subject matter a particular journal/magazine likes.

So, it’s fine. The subject matter wasn’t what they were looking for. What has stuck with me is that they called the writing “overblown”. Really? Overblown? Is that because of the scene near the end? Or is it the language overall? I’ve had a professional editor look at this story already. He suggested changes, most of which I followed through with. So what is it? I’m posting a sample of the story below. I hope you enjoy it. If you also think it’s overblown, please let me know.

*  *  *

Voices were raised below, verbal accusations flung below the window. Heat rose into the atmosphere. A woman was frustrated with a man’s words. She responded with sarcasm. She told him to leave. The sun glared down on their scene. A cloud moved in front of the sun; the street darkened.

Another man watched them from the window. With each exchange, his heart rate increased. He grits his teeth and waits. His breathing is heavy. Soon he was pacing the floor of his apartment, but he still heard the voices. He shut his eyes but could not shut out the sound. He returned to the window, unable to tear himself away.

Love, wrapped in the golden brown of her eyes, the island bronze of her skin, enthralled him. She was always ready for whatever came their way. He wanted to do everything with her; to bask in her laughter and curiosity. He wanted to protect her, but he did as she asked. She was outside on the sidewalk being berated, and he felt vile for letting it happen.

As the young man stood, ready to break his promise and join the arguing pair, the woman turned and walked away. She entered the building. The man on the sidewalk stood silently. Rage rippled across his face. With no other options, he marched to his yellow car and drove away.

Monday, September 6, 2010

I was supposed to get more done today…

But the cat woke the baby. I’m very unhappy with him right now. 905 words are not bad, but I was hoping for 2000. Also, the sister’s name is Lina (for now.) Time to go get my little one.

Tuesday, August 31, 2010

19000 Words So Far!

19 000 words written in my novel! What does that mean? How long am I going to make it? Am I going to worry about it or just let it happen?

PS: I re-read the first of the two paragraphs I posted on the 21st. I used the words “hand” and “back” a lot.

Saturday, August 28, 2010

Saturday, August 21, 2010

Working Title: Gunshot – Entry #2

I wrote 1942 new words today. I wish it was more, but I also did a ton of editing. I still am not sure about what the sister’s name should be. Name research takes up a lot (maybe too much) time for me. I need a character’s name to be just right. A name helps me shape a character’s personality.

Here’s a bit of what I wrote today:

I let go of Kaitlin’s hand and took a step back from the bed. She attempted a shaky smile before shutting her eyes. I stretched my arms back. I walked back to my seat and the card game I’m sure Fin had forgotten. I looked down at my hands. I had just promised someone I barely knew to hold her hand while she found out potentially devastating news about her husband. I was very tired; maybe I wasn’t thinking clearly.

I hadn’t been thinking clearly for a while. I was okay while I was on the phone with the emergency operator, though I had been frightened and sitting on my kitchen floor. My mind would have eventually cleared, if Fin hadn’t knocked on my odor. Something about hearing that first knock, then accentuated by seeing him through the peephole, made my mind fog up. It was his expression, the naked pleading need.

A few hours to myself… and a name.

My wonderful hubby has volunteered to take care of our daughter this afternoon. For anyone who doesn’t know, toddlers are a lot of work. I’m lucky if I get 30 minutes to write a day. Maybe even 15 minutes… Anyway, today I’m getting a few hours. I hope to spend them well.

<I’m trying to decided what to name my main character’s sister. I’m leaning towards either Lina or Rana.>

Tuesday, August 17, 2010

Working Title: Gunshot

This is what I have for a first paragraph of my novel.

I heard the gunshot, but I didn’t know what it was. It really did sound like a car backfiring. My other thought was that of the neighbourhood kids playing with a cap gun, like I did as a child. I dismissed it. Perhaps I didn’t even think enough of it to dismiss it. I live in a nice neighbourhood. That simple, brief sound, only registered as background noise. I was too focused on my own little world.

Penguin Books

Penguin is offering writers a unique opportunity.  You can send a query letter and synopsis of your manuscipt to Penguin, without needing an agent.  I don't know if I'm ready to do this.  Definitely not for my novel, but maybe a collection of short stories if they're willing to look at it.  We'll see.

Penguin Books - About Penguin: Frequently asked questions#question11#question11#question11

Monday, August 16, 2010

What Was I Thinking?!

I started a second blog. The first, The Eye Of Loni’s Storm, is a review blog. Mostly books. I love reading.

I love writing too. I’ve been pursuing it for some time now, without making any real progress. I’ve had people tell me my work is good. I’ve even had a professional editor have a go at it. I’m hoping this blog will encourage me and focus me towards my goals.