What is this Story About?

by | May 26, 2011 | Canadian novel writing, character development, fiction, literary writing, literature, novel in progress, novel writing, revision, rewriting, Rewriting the novel, writing fiction

Lilacs bloom, filling the warm air with heady scent. How do you describe the smell of a lilac? Does it smell like wind and sun? Silt and grapes? Smell has to be described as something else.  A story of the heart has to be told as something else. When I first caught...

Retreats, and a snippet from Weather Vane

by | May 12, 2011 | Canadian novel writing, critiquing, editing, fiction, final draft, literary writing, literature, memoir, novel, novel in progress, novel writing, revision, rewriting, Rewriting the novel, writing, writing fiction, writing groups, Writing retreats

As I prepare for five days on the shores of Lake Simcoe with Pat Schneider, I consider what I wish to accomplish on those dream-come-true days. Weather Vane has rounded a corner and is bouncing toward the finish line. It would be so lovely to dedicate most of my time...

>Wide or Deep? –

by | Dec 1, 2010 | Canadian novel writing, creative writing, critiquing, editing, first draft, literary writing, novel, novel writing, rewriting, second draft, writing mentors, writing process, Writing retreats

> I have several options now. Or at least I thought I did. With fire singeing my ass, I consider immediately beginning the next novel, alternating my time with re-writing this first beloved work. I want to go on every retreat for a five hundred mile radius, the New...

>Now what? – after the second first is complete

by | Nov 27, 2010 | Canadian novel writing, creative writing, critiquing, fiction, first draft, literary writing, literature, novel, novel writing, rewriting, second draft, writing, writing mentors, writing process

>My manuscript is printed and hole-punched and nestled into three brand new binders, and waiting for next Wednesday. That’s when I will hand it over to be read and critiqued by my lovely mentor, Sue Reynolds.I’m feeling much more confident now, that I have...