June 2023

Friday, June 2, 2023

A year ago, in the middle of yet another existential crisis, I wished I had an editor.

But then I realized: in past jobs, I’ve been that editor. I have those skills. And, if my ideal editor is someone who believes in my books’ potential as much as I do, then maybe I am my own ideal editor.

Since then, I’ve turned to “Editor Woolf” whenever I need a pep talk. These are finger puppets my mom made/bought for me 20ish years ago. Yes, they have actual conversations.

This weekend I got some (valuable, constructive) criticism on Book #2 and it totally extinguished the pilot light of my writing. I lost all enthusiasm for writing Book #3 and this literary life in general.

I sulked for a bit, then turned to Editor Woolf: she said to take a break. Then we’ll talk more about what to do next.

Saturday, June 3, 2023

My next Sisters in Crime online course is “Writing the Series,” with romance author Laurie Schnebly. 

I started writing mysteries because my mama pointed out I only read and watch mysteries.

After writing my first novel, I realized: I also only read and watch mystery series.

I LOVE the fun & challenge of continuing characters’ story lines through multiple books. I’ve seen writers excell and fumble when writing multi-book plot lines: between my own reading & this course, I’m hoping to avoid the common pitfalls and start my series strong.

Monday, June 5, 2023

I had a heart-to-heart with Editor Woolf, and we decided I need to seek out feedback on my novel-in-progress.

If these readers like my novel so far, I’m on the right track! If there are changes to be made, now is the time — rather than after the novel is written.

And if enough readers see no redemption in this draft, it’s time to think about ending this crime writing journey, and settling for an easy, normal life of work-family-hobbies, sans ikigai.

So: where to find critiquers?

It came to me in the middle of the night: my online Sisters in Crime organization. Today I posted my plea, and hopefully one or more mystery writers will be up for trading manuscripts with me.

Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Just 24 hours later, and I’ve emailed my novel-in-progress to two writer-strangers for their feedback, thanks to my plea on the Sisters in Crime chat boards.

I also gave a printed version to my mom, an avid mystery reader, who subsequently emailed it on to my aunt.

Writing is a solitary art — or at least, it feels like it, when I’m typing alone at my desk. I often forget it can (should?) be a communal activity.

I’m proud of myself (and grateful to Editor Woolf) for thinking of sending this opening 1/3 of the book out for feedback, before I write the rest of the novel.

Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Well, this is eye-opening:

My Sisters in Crime “Writing a Series” instructor Laurie Schnebly challenged us each to share the overarching concept of our novel series.

I’ve never thought about that, aside from title-ing my books after birds, setting the stories in the Columbia Valley and using the same cast of characters.

I came up with this:

Residents of a small town want to preserve their small-town culture because that’s what defines their quality of life, but they face inexorable development as urbanites are determined to move in, take over and transform the town with their city values.

Can that be the concept of a mystery series??? I’ve submitted it to Laurie, so we’ll see what she thinks. And: if this is the overarching idea behind my books, I better darn well include this in my current work-in-progress.

Friday, June 9, 2023

For the first time in years, I’m not bringing any writing projects or even a notebook with me on a camping trip.

I’m determined to RELAX and not work (or feel like I should work) during this final family weekend away before the summer chaos.

Saturday, June 10, 2023

It’s all about new adventures …

I’ve been longing to go spelunking at Cody Caves Provincial Park for years. 

Everyone on our Family Tour loved this experience: teenagers and adult friends and the nine-year-old!

Stay tuned for Zack’s new Outdoor Kid Adventures video, with highlights from our caving adventure …

Sunday, June 11, 2023

We spent the morning baking on the sandy beach at Kokanee Creek Provincial Park, then maneuvered our burnt bodies the 20 minutes southwest to Nelson.

My sweetie spent four hours decompressing and re-energizing at the Himalayan Salt Cave (he loved that warm bed of amethyst) while the rest of us visited with friends, drank bubble teas and shopped at the candy store.

I keep thinking of Iona Whishaw’s Lane Winslow books. I’m behind in her mystery series, but I have read the one that takes place at Ainsworth Hot Springs. Now that I’ve been to Nelson and experienced the ferry, I’m excited to read the next in the series: being here will help me imagine the world she’s writing about.

Monday, June 12, 2023

Of all our incredible adventures this weekend — exploring Cody Caves, wading through the limestone-coated tunnel at Ainsworth Hot Springs, eating Thai and tacos and Ktunaxa gourmet feasts — the kids all loved the beach time the best. Playing in the water and getting cooked by the sun.

The one activity that didn’t cost a penny.

Hmm.

Tuesday, June 13, 2023

In my “Writing the Series” online course with Laurie Schnebly, she’s pointed out that every book in a series has two types of readers: the person who’s read the previous book(s), and the newbie who knows nothing of what came before this book.

The writer has to find a balance between providing too much and too little explanation of the characters, the setting, the series’ story arc, etc. 

Yikes!

And, to add to this consideration, I have to balance the needs of readers who KNOW my setting (Invermere-ites) with those who have never been to the Columbia Valley, or BC, or Canada, or even North America, given my audacious dream of international distribution.

Two pieces of Laurie wisdom to help us navigate these challenges:

1. Reveal as little information as you can get away with, and:

2. Have a character ask questions to help you reveal necessary information. For example: “Who is Morgan?” “Where is that lake?”

Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Re-reading Alan Bradley‘s award-winning Flavia de Luce series, I am remembering: I LOVE WORDS.

Bradley’s protagonist is an eleven-year-old sleuth, yet his novels use a higher level of diction than mine.

“Diction.” That’s a word I considered dumbing down just now. I’m used to dumbing down my vocabulary. It started with my career as a communications professional: literally, I gave workshops to colleagues on the merits of simple language.

As a kid I read old books (Anne of Green Gables) and I still do (Rex Stout): there were puzzled looks and polite nods when I used long-forgotten words in conversation. I wanted to be heard, so I became a human thesaurus: I translated my thoughts, and only verbalized the smallest, plainest words.

But reading Bradley, I’m remembering this love for polysyllablic sounds. Every word has thousands of years of connotative and denotative echos, which is what makes language powerful.

I will let myself use my vocabulary toolkit more often.

Thursday, June 15, 2023

I stepped out of the shower last night, caught my reflection in the mirror and couldn’t stop smiling.

I’ve always wanted curly hair.

Or at least not my naturally super straight, Woodstock-hippie hair that clings to my face.

After curling my ‘do after a recent hair chop, the stylist suggested a “beach wave” perm, so I’d have the messy, wavy hair I crave every day, sans effort.

And here we are.

I finally look like the ME I’ve always wanted. How funny, that the infamous perm has been around for eons, and yet I only just discovered its miraculous powers at age 43.

Friday, June 16, 2023

My second grant application was approved!!!!!

My community (via the Columbia Kootenay Cultural Alliance, with Columbia Basin Trust funding) has patted me on the head and pushed me forward on this writerly journey.

Last year, they gave me $1,500 to support the planning and writing of my third novel.

This new $1,500 grant is to help pay my bills while I focus on revising my novel(s) and submitting them to agents and publishers.

I needed this validation. Thank you, CKCA.

Saturday, June 17, 2023

I won a thing!!!

Laurie Schnebly did a random draw from her online course students, and I was one of three to win a free future class.

Woot woot! The universe is trying hard to reignite my pilot light and get me back to work on my novel …

I get to choose from:

* Writing Your First (or 45th) Synopsis, in July

* Tick…Tick…Building Tension, in August

* His Personality Ladder, in November

* Getting Back to Writing, in January

* Secrets of Foreshadowing, in February

I’m most excited about the first two. 

Monday, June 19, 2023

Congratulations to my friend Darrow Woods: his first mystery, The Book of Answers, is now available on Amazon!!

He’s also posted his novel in excerpts on his Substack page. You can read the first chapters here. If you’re drawn to read more, PLEASE consider buying his paperback or ebook to show your support for his writerly ambitions.

Darrow and I met as co-finalists for the Crime Writers of Canada’s Unhanged Arthur Award, aka the award for best first unpublished crime novel.

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In other news: I spent the morning reading a work-in-progress by a new Maritime-based mystery writer friend, Eva Bernhard. We traded 30,000 words and I am grateful for her feedback on my own novel.

I’ve written in a vacuum for years. This month I sent my opening chapters of book #3 to three other writers. It is both terrifying and a relief to have other people’s opinions on my work.