May 2013
3 posts
Removing body parts for a potentially longer life
The debate about what people are willing to remove for the sake of a potentially longer life is intriguing me.
Some women would remove their breasts, their ovaries, but would a man remove both his testicles or his penis as a preventative measure against a virulent cancer?
I don’t believe women or men are defined by their body parts, but they are an integral part of who we are not only...
Breasts and death
I’m having trouble in my head with Angelina Jolie’s decision to remove both her breasts because of her predisposition to breast cancer.
I have been trying to understand why the idea of it bothers me so much.
She has the absolute right to do what she has done. There is a part of me that wonders if she was influenced heavily by the recent passing of her mother. She may be the first to admit she...
Been gone too long
I’ve let my blog writing go. I’ve been reading avidly, but writing my blog just hasn’t been in my head.
As Scott Stratten says, only write when you’ve really got something to say. Yes, I agree.
I am thinking about doing things and the upcoming C2-MTL conference is inspiring me. I’d love to go, but don’t know how I can manage that. But nonetheless,...
October 2012
1 post
It's begun--writing, writing, writing
The first page is written. And, I actually like it.
I will not edit it anymore before the first draft is done.
I got myself a cute little Acer Notebook to work on at home (rather than lug around my heavy laptop) and it works perfectly. I keep my book on Google Drive so I can work anywhere, anytime. And I work for an hour or two when I can, so the diminutive size of the Notebook isn’t a...
September 2012
4 posts
Grammar errors even editors miss!
One common grammar error that even makes it past editors is verb and simple subject misagreement.
Oh, yes. Sometimes we did.
Here are three examples, two from magazines and one from a novel, which made it past editors and into print.
The international lineup of wines offer a taste for every palate.
The potential for unwanted publicity and monster payouts have many hotel owners taking...
Starting a book is easy--Finishing one is hard
I think I’m putting off writing my book because I have a tendency to start things for me and then not finish them.
I lose my resolve, I give up too soon, I lose my focus—I’m afraid of doing.
And finishing.
I want to change. I have to change.
Why?
I have a great example:
My colleague was at the library looking for a book and saw an author with the same last name as her...
Maybe I just don't want to write 'that' book...
Maybe it’s possible that I just don’t.
First books are often quite autobiographical (not to say that later ones aren’t), and maybe I just don’t want or need to tell that story anymore.
For me, that’s quite possible.
I am wondering if short stories and poems might not be a better route for me.
I tend to write about emotions and situations that I am filled with at...
Writing much?
I am a writer that isn’t writing, much.
Let me explain.
I regularly make time to write in my journal. That is something I just have to do to organize my thoughts and my life. I feel weirdly edgy if I don’t do my journal writing, and it’s not a nice feeling. It’s almost like withdrawal in a way, but in the reverse. Hard to explain.
I suppose some people would consider...
August 2012
1 post
Missing my dog
My first dog has come and gone and I miss him a lot.
My son asked me to get a dog for a couple of years before I adopted our beautiful Basset Hound. We named him Zack. He was already middle-aged when we adopted him, and the sweetest, gentlest dog I have ever known.
I am finding it hard now to live without a dog.
I miss our walks together. We were both very comfortable with each other and we had...
July 2012
6 posts
Writing, it can almost feel naughty
On Monday evenings I’ve decided to head to my favourite cafe after work and write, just for me, for as long as my heart and soul wants me to.
And it almost feels naughty, as if I’m skipping school or something (which I admit in high school I did often—I hope my sons don’t read this) and there’s something delicious about deciding what you’re going to do with...
Holmes to the rescue
At age 21, Mary Russell is coming of age and about to inherit her father’s fortune. Little does she know that the quest for easy money brings out the worst kind of people from London’s underworld.
In this second novel, A Monstrous Regiment of Women, by Laurie R. King, Mary Russell, Sherlock Holmes’ apprentice, learns that her life is suddenly worth dollars and cents.
...
Sherlock Holmes' apprentice is a woman!
This is the first in a series of wonderful Sherlock Holmesian books with an inspired and audacious apprentice, Mary Russell. Laurie R. King has outdone herself with this unexpected and truly appreciated introduction of a woman of considerable brainpower into Holmes’ life.
Mary Russell accidentally trips over Holmes while walking on the Downs and begins a friendship that endures through her...
Thinking about art, again
I went to an art high school in Toronto. I took fine art and figure drawing for five years there and for another year my first year of university.
After my university class I really didn’t draw again. Thinking about it now, I think it’s kind of strange.
I have a friend who paints and one who is an illustrator and between the two of them they’ve got me interested in drawing and...
Zippy darling!
The word ‘zippy’.
I like it.
It means full of energy, and strikingly fresh, lively or appealing in style.
Using the word makes me feel upbeat and enthusiastic—which I am.
If something sounds good, I say “That sounds zippy.”
I get slightly perplexed looks. Some question marks in response texts, but all in all it’s pretty well received.
And I didn’t...
Thanks to LinkedIn
I tried an experiment this morning. I entered my first name, the city I live in and my profession on Google and I came up as the first two entries thanks to LinkedIn.
I admit, I was surprised. Only a first name and I came up bingo! just like that. I thought at least my last name would be necessary as well. Not the case!
This was prompted by a chance meeting last evening at Chapters. I was...
June 2012
5 posts
Relaxing--the weekend
It’s that time again.
I’ve got to try to slow down and relax over the long weekend.
It’s not easy I find, to relax that is. I get so in ‘production mode’ at work that it’s hard to get into ‘it doesn’t matter’ mode on the weekend.
But I’m gonna try my best this weekend.
The busy period is almost over at work and we’re all needing...
Book--I love them!
I’ve read hundreds of books, and I love them that’s for sure.
I was out for coffee with a girlfriend of mine yesterday and she told me about two new books I’d never heard of: Trinity and The Crimson Petal of White.
I will check those out. I always read the first paragraph or two to see if I like the author’s writing style before I decide to read them. The library has one...
Being humble
It never fails to amaze me how we learn new things all the time.
It’s true that when we are children we stumble and fall while we learn new things. It’s part of being a kid, and we accept it.
But often as we get older we don’t think we should have to learn as much anymore. We’re supposed to know more things right? I mean, when does this learning thing end anyway?
But, as...
Because I have to
Writing is like breathing for me.
It’s essential otherwise I feel out of breath.
I feel as if I’ve lost my voice if I don’t write.
When I lose my balance in life writing is what helps me find it again.
It started when I was eleven when I had to sort things out and there just seemed to be too much in my head.
And that feeling has continued. As if my mind is overflowing...
It's been too long
You’re probably wondering where I went.
Well, I’m sorry about that. I’ve missed you all and it hasn’t been good for me being away like that.
I was, well, the best way to describe it is off course. I see a ship in my mind’s eye bouncing around on the heavy, undulating waves, not finding the safe harbour she’s looking for. That’s how I’ve felt I...
September 2011
7 posts
Late fall beauty
I love the late fall weather we’ve been having.
There is something in the air that makes everything feel possible to me.
It’s as if the world has expanded just as the trees and squirrels are preparing for the cold of winter.
There’s a juxtaposition of hibernating and becoming and, to me, it’s a profoundly beautiful one.
I wish you all a wonderful fall full of old...
Concentration--where does it go?
Do you ever have trouble concentrating on something? I know I do. Especially when I’m waiting for news.
I had a great job interview on Monday and I can’t wait to hear the news about it. I know the interview went very well, but I haven’t heard whether I’ve gotten the job yet or not, and consequently I’m having some trouble concentrating.
Why does this happen? Where...
My guest blog on Liz Strauss' Successful Blog
Beautiful day to you all!
I wanted to tell you about my first guest post called 3 Keys to Keeping Women Leaders in Your Company on Successful Blog.
Successful Blog is Liz Strauss’ business blog where she offers valuable, insightful information to the business community, and graciously accepts guest bloggers, such as myself, and their input.
I am honoured to have my writing featured on her...
Key #5: Use Grammatically Correct, Edited Text
Using grammatically correct, edited text is, in some industries, a standard. Almost all the books we read, whether they are mystery books, coffee tables books, graphic novels or almanacs, are all edited by professional editors. Magazines are also edited by professionals to maintain a style and standard that their readers expect.
Websites, blogs and in-house reports, however, are much less likely...
Key #4: Use Active Verbs
People in our current technologically driven society have even less patience than past generations as far as reading is concerned. They want information fast and economically and read a lot through ebooks, social media, blogs and websites. Readers want to be engaged in what they’re reading, if they’re not interested reading becomes a chore.
In novel writing, whether fiction or non-fiction,...
What is success, really?
Success is a concept that is giving me a lot of deep, thoughtful moments recently because what does it mean, really?
Our North American society defines success as having a lot of money, and therefore things. This, however, is a rather unsatisfying definition because there are countless people who have both money and things who are definitely not happy.They may even have a certain star quality,...
August 2011
16 posts
Life is like a box of chocolates--learning from...
Life is an unknown. We all learned that from Forest Gump.
He was an uncomplex man that knew what he was talking about.
Forest knew how to express complex ideas with simple metaphors.
And it’s true, life is like a box of chocolates: Sometimes it’s chewy and hard to swallow, other times it’s smooth and creamy, and occasionally we just don’t like the taste of it at all and...
Key #3: Use Industry Jargon Sparingly and...
Every industry or market has its own jargon. The most important thing to keep in mind when using industry or audience-specific language is to use it sparingly and correctly. Overusing jargon is a great way to turn off your readers. But what’s even more of a turn off for your readers is using that jargon incorrectly. If you’re going to use it, know what it means.
Isn’t using industry jargon the...
Trees or forest
I have an amazing ability to see the trees. They are very clear to me and I acknowledge them and know each one intimately.
The trees make up a forest, and that forest is my world as I see it.
Despite the fact that I know the trees, I consistently lose sight of the forest—the big picture.
Why?
I realize now more than ever, I must be able to answer this question. It is integral for...
Key #2: Know your audience
Every piece of writing has an intended audience. Whether you are writing a sci-fi novel for adults, a report for your marketing staff, website content or a blog for your clients, the tone of voice should be focused on your readers. This may sound obvious, but I find a lot of writers overlook this very necessary component.
Do book publishers and magazine editors know their audiences?
Absolutely....
I've been slapped by Crush it!
I’m almost finished Crush it! by Gary Vaynerchuk and it’s been a really slap-across-the-face kind of read. And not in the way you might think.
This is a book about social media and business, and cashing in on your passion. Now that’s really got me thinking Boom!
Gary’s known for being, well, annoying and has a reputation for being loud and in your face too. He does a lot...
What books are you reading?
I’d really like to know what writing books you’ve read and loved. I’m loving Truby’s book Anatomy of Story.
5 Keys to Writing
5 Keys to Writing That Will Keep Your Readers Coming Back for More
These 5 keys can be used in any genre of writing. Whether you are writing for fiction or non-fiction readers, professionals reading your reports or websites, magazine readers perusing your articles or followers reading your blogs, you can craft compelling text over and over again with these 5 keys as your guide.
You will find my...
Flesh Out Your Novel: Organizing the Meat
While writing your book you might be struggling with how to keep your story moving, how to keep your readers engaged and how to create vibrant characters.
Using techniques drawn from the art of screenwriting, my course is designed to help you write your novel so that your readers stay engaged from the beginning of your book to the end.
My online course, starting September 5th, 2011, will include...
Writing from the heart (not)---sheepish...
Why is it so hard, sometimes, to just sit down and write something?
But not just anything. I’m really talking about writing from the heart.
If you’re a writer too then you know that sometimes when you work you’re writing from your head. When you’re writing an abstract for a white paper or a press release or a home page for a client’s website that’s head work....
Oneness it creates, editing does.
It’s a Yoda post my friends. Believe.
Take a deep breath, close your eyes, sit in the lotus position and breathe.
Ahhh, feels good doesn’t it?
That’s how editing makes me feel—one with myself, whole, centred.
It is so satisfying to take a piece of work that needs my energy and love and transform it into a complete piece of art.
I look at content as a puzzle. I really...
There is no try, only do. Yoda
tumblrbot asked: WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE INANIMATE OBJECT?
An amazing trip to L'Ange Gardien
Yesterday I met one of my all time favourite clients, Christiane D’Aoust! Through our working relationship we’ve become very good friends, and we wanted very much to meet.
My husband and I drove up to L’Ange Gardien (a beautiful drive from the West Island by the way) and had a wonderful talk and dinner with her and her husband, Steve.
I feel incredibly lucky and honoured to...
“A day without writing is like a day without love.”
