Interested in learning about your ancestors? I definitely am. In fact, as Sean can attest, it's become a bit of an obsession with me. Finding and recording their stories is rather addictive. In the past couple of years I've discovered so many interesting characters in my various family lines. If you're interested in reading about them, join me over at my family history blog.
Teresa
Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Writing. Show all posts
Monday, December 19, 2016
Thursday, April 22, 2010
Resurfacing..again...
Yes, spring term is now over and I'm back in the blogosphere for a while. I had so much work over the past fourteen weeks, I pretty much had no time for much else. And when I did manage to snatch a few hours here and there, I did a lot of reading. No writing, alas. My brain was pretty much completely dedicated to school stuff. That's not to say my characters haven't been trying to get my attention, but I had little to give them.
So I'm hoping over the summer that I'll manage better, given that I'm taking only one course. Despite my preoccupation with school, I've missed my truly creative side and know that at least some of my grumpiness is down to the fact I've had to suppress it to concentrate on reference assignments and learning about enhancing library web pages.
What keeps me from giving up entirely on my writing is knowing that school is a finite thing. In two years I should be done! And then I can go back to writing regularly. A hiatus may not be ideal, given that I still do want to get published but now that I've found library studies/work to be what I want to do on a regular basis, I have to dedicate myself to it. I'm generally a "don't do things by half-measures" kinda gal :) Which in the end, also makes me a better writer.
How about you? Do you sometimes have to set your writing on the back burner? Do you feel guilty? And do you get grumpy when you don't write?
Happy Earth Day!
Teresa
About to Start Reading: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
So I'm hoping over the summer that I'll manage better, given that I'm taking only one course. Despite my preoccupation with school, I've missed my truly creative side and know that at least some of my grumpiness is down to the fact I've had to suppress it to concentrate on reference assignments and learning about enhancing library web pages.
What keeps me from giving up entirely on my writing is knowing that school is a finite thing. In two years I should be done! And then I can go back to writing regularly. A hiatus may not be ideal, given that I still do want to get published but now that I've found library studies/work to be what I want to do on a regular basis, I have to dedicate myself to it. I'm generally a "don't do things by half-measures" kinda gal :) Which in the end, also makes me a better writer.
How about you? Do you sometimes have to set your writing on the back burner? Do you feel guilty? And do you get grumpy when you don't write?
Happy Earth Day!
Teresa
About to Start Reading: Remarkable Creatures by Tracy Chevalier
Monday, October 19, 2009
Deborah Cooke - Writer in Residence
Toronto Public Library Writer in Residence - Deborah Cooke
Author extraordinaire, Deborah Cooke - aka Claire Delacroix/Claire Cross, is currently the Writer in Residence at the Toronto Public Library. This programme includes an online component in the form of a blog, where Deb posts three times a week, looking at various aspects of the romance industry and writing romance fiction.
Deb is an accomplished lecturer and a talented and prolific writer in a variety of genres. Little wonder, then, that the TPL invited her to be part of their programme. The blog topic for today is "Hitting the Mark" - be sure to drop by and read it, along with the earlier posts.
Teresa
Currently Reading: Pendragon's Banner by Helen Hollick
Author extraordinaire, Deborah Cooke - aka Claire Delacroix/Claire Cross, is currently the Writer in Residence at the Toronto Public Library. This programme includes an online component in the form of a blog, where Deb posts three times a week, looking at various aspects of the romance industry and writing romance fiction.
Deb is an accomplished lecturer and a talented and prolific writer in a variety of genres. Little wonder, then, that the TPL invited her to be part of their programme. The blog topic for today is "Hitting the Mark" - be sure to drop by and read it, along with the earlier posts.
Teresa
Currently Reading: Pendragon's Banner by Helen Hollick
Monday, June 22, 2009
Rewriting from a different point of view....
I think I may FINALLY have hit on what's wrong with the opening to my completed FR story. Originally, I opened it in my heroine's pov - at some point, I changed that to my hero's. I've rewritten those first few lines COUNTLESS times since, eliciting advice, rewriting again and yet somehow it's never quite worked. And now I think I know why - because Cécile is meant to speak first and continue speaking till about half-way through the opening scene when Adrian originally took over.
Hand slaps to forehead. Fortunately I still have the old opening. Lots of it will have changed, but the basics are there, so I don't have to start from scratch completely. Something tells me it will end up being a complete rewrite, but there's something comforting about beginning the process with words on the page. We'll see. I just have to squeeze this rewrite in. It WILL happen as none of my characters are taking this school excuse lying down any more. They're demanding my attention.
Overall, I feel a huge weight has lifted as far as this story is concerned. It's something so simple, something I know I can do.
Have you had a writing epiphany lately? Care to share?
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips
Link of the Day: Holly Tucker's Early Modern History Resources
Hand slaps to forehead. Fortunately I still have the old opening. Lots of it will have changed, but the basics are there, so I don't have to start from scratch completely. Something tells me it will end up being a complete rewrite, but there's something comforting about beginning the process with words on the page. We'll see. I just have to squeeze this rewrite in. It WILL happen as none of my characters are taking this school excuse lying down any more. They're demanding my attention.
Overall, I feel a huge weight has lifted as far as this story is concerned. It's something so simple, something I know I can do.
Have you had a writing epiphany lately? Care to share?
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Devlin Diary by Christi Phillips
Link of the Day: Holly Tucker's Early Modern History Resources
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Good Wives, by Margaret Forster...
I highly recommend this book for all romance writers. Why? Because the life stories told in its pages are true romances - not in the HEA sense, but the "true love" sense. One in particular, that of Mary Moffatt Livingstone (wife of he of "Dr. Livingstone, I presume?" fame), touched me deeply. To most people she was an ugly, fat, squat woman who dressed poorly and was awkward in society, but to her husband, she was the woman he loved deeply, who was his mainstay, whether they were together or apart while he was off on his travels. Her premature death devastated him, as much for the loss of her company and love as his guilt over the circumstances.
Ms. Forster wrote about the changing nature of the role of wife, from the mid-19th to late 20th centuries, considering what exactly makes a "good wife"by interweaving the tales of several women who, depending on one's definition of "good" were both good and bad wives. I'm 2/3 of the way through the book now and am enjoying it immensely- the writing flows naturally and the adventures I've read so far are awe-inspiring.
Have you found inspiration for your writing in unusual places?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Good Wives: Mary, Fanny, Jennie & Me 1845-2001
Ms. Forster wrote about the changing nature of the role of wife, from the mid-19th to late 20th centuries, considering what exactly makes a "good wife"by interweaving the tales of several women who, depending on one's definition of "good" were both good and bad wives. I'm 2/3 of the way through the book now and am enjoying it immensely- the writing flows naturally and the adventures I've read so far are awe-inspiring.
Have you found inspiration for your writing in unusual places?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Good Wives: Mary, Fanny, Jennie & Me 1845-2001
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
I'm still here, really....
and just can't believe how little time I've had to blog lately. So much has been going on and I've barely had time to breathe.
To recap:
1) I finished my first two Library and Information Technology courses just over a week ago (did well, so I'm happy). My next course (Digital Collections) starts on Monday - it's the only one I'm taking this term.
2) I'm still employed at the Sechelt Public Library and loving it :) It's so cool to be able to greet patrons by name, have a general idea of their reading interests and apply what I'm learning in school in a hands-on way.
3) On Easter weekend we went up to Whistler to see and ski with a cousin of mine I hadn't seen in 30+ years. She was there with her family and it was sooooo cool! We had a fantastic time and it turns out she and I have a lot in common - she's interested in family history, history and books (ok, so our whole family is into books). She even works as a tour guide at a heritage home in the area where she lives. How neat is that? The following week they came up here to the Coast to see our place and spend the night befor heading back to the UK.
4) Though my writing has taken a bit of a back seat, I'm still working on at least two of my mss. I make notes, especially while I'm on the elliptical and hope to get back to actual writing in May.
5) Our family is expecting another addition soon - nephew # 4! So I'm madly knitting a hat and hoping it's finished by the time he arrives. Started it only last week as I've been so busy with school work most evenings in the winter, I didn't spend any time knitting.
6) I had to make the tough decision NOT to attend RWA National in DC this summer. It's a matter of timing - in that, with school AND my job, I just really can't afford the week in time it would take to go. I'm rather disappointed as my critique partners will all be there and I'd hoped to share a room with them. But that's life.
7) We actually have some grass growing out on our septic field - so far it's pretty sparse, but it's a start. And we hoping to get some more gardening done this summer. Almost all my perennials made it through, though it appears the Evening Primrose was a victim of our harsher than normal winter (as in longer, colder and snowier). OTOH, the daffodils we transplanted (courtesy of my m-i-l) all flowered - yay!
8) Of interest to fellow hockey fans - Go Canucks!! We're driving around with our Canucks flag flapping in the breeze :) Round Two starts tomorrow.
I think that's about it.
I'll try to make the rounds of everyone's blogs as time allows. Right now I'm tethered to my desktop computer while waiting for a new power adaptor for the laptop to arrive from Dell. I've been spoiled by my laptop and the ability to surf from anywhere in the house, so have gotten out of the habit of spending loads of time in my office, though I still use it to do school work.
Hope you're all keeping well :)
Teresa
Currently Reading: Divas Don't Knit by Gil McNeil
Link of the Day: Library Link of the Day
To recap:
1) I finished my first two Library and Information Technology courses just over a week ago (did well, so I'm happy). My next course (Digital Collections) starts on Monday - it's the only one I'm taking this term.
2) I'm still employed at the Sechelt Public Library and loving it :) It's so cool to be able to greet patrons by name, have a general idea of their reading interests and apply what I'm learning in school in a hands-on way.
3) On Easter weekend we went up to Whistler to see and ski with a cousin of mine I hadn't seen in 30+ years. She was there with her family and it was sooooo cool! We had a fantastic time and it turns out she and I have a lot in common - she's interested in family history, history and books (ok, so our whole family is into books). She even works as a tour guide at a heritage home in the area where she lives. How neat is that? The following week they came up here to the Coast to see our place and spend the night befor heading back to the UK.
4) Though my writing has taken a bit of a back seat, I'm still working on at least two of my mss. I make notes, especially while I'm on the elliptical and hope to get back to actual writing in May.
5) Our family is expecting another addition soon - nephew # 4! So I'm madly knitting a hat and hoping it's finished by the time he arrives. Started it only last week as I've been so busy with school work most evenings in the winter, I didn't spend any time knitting.
6) I had to make the tough decision NOT to attend RWA National in DC this summer. It's a matter of timing - in that, with school AND my job, I just really can't afford the week in time it would take to go. I'm rather disappointed as my critique partners will all be there and I'd hoped to share a room with them. But that's life.
7) We actually have some grass growing out on our septic field - so far it's pretty sparse, but it's a start. And we hoping to get some more gardening done this summer. Almost all my perennials made it through, though it appears the Evening Primrose was a victim of our harsher than normal winter (as in longer, colder and snowier). OTOH, the daffodils we transplanted (courtesy of my m-i-l) all flowered - yay!
8) Of interest to fellow hockey fans - Go Canucks!! We're driving around with our Canucks flag flapping in the breeze :) Round Two starts tomorrow.
I think that's about it.
I'll try to make the rounds of everyone's blogs as time allows. Right now I'm tethered to my desktop computer while waiting for a new power adaptor for the laptop to arrive from Dell. I've been spoiled by my laptop and the ability to surf from anywhere in the house, so have gotten out of the habit of spending loads of time in my office, though I still use it to do school work.
Hope you're all keeping well :)
Teresa
Currently Reading: Divas Don't Knit by Gil McNeil
Link of the Day: Library Link of the Day
Saturday, January 24, 2009
What I've been up to...
Work, school work, a little bit of writing and as much exercise as I can fit in. That's pretty much it. I'm enjoying school so much, but it does mean many hours at the computer or reading. I did, however, find time on Wednesday evening to read over the ms I was working on for Nano and and do some preliminary editing. Figured it was a good way to reconnect with my characters and get the story juices flowing again. Then when I was on the elliptical yesterday, the characters from my contemp story started bugging me to get back to them too. So I'm going to have to find a way to do that.
On Wednesday morning I did take an hour out to go down to the beach nearby and take some pictures of the fog with my new digital SLR camera (Christmas gift from my mum and in-laws). Here are a few of them:
Beach
Row of boats
The fog finally lifted on Friday, after many many days. We were lucky up where we live to have sun a lot of the time, but for several days, we too were socked in. That's about it from here.
So, what's new with you?
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch
On Wednesday morning I did take an hour out to go down to the beach nearby and take some pictures of the fog with my new digital SLR camera (Christmas gift from my mum and in-laws). Here are a few of them:
Pier at Davis Bay
Wave breaking on the beach
Beach
Row of boats
So, what's new with you?
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch
Tuesday, January 13, 2009
Quick update...
Hi everyone - so sorry for the prolonged absence. It's been a busy few weeks and not likely to get any less hectic. I'm still getting regular shifts at the library (yay!) and now am working on two online courses in my library tech programme. We have regular assignments and lots of reading, so my little nose is on the grindstone.
Which brings me to the topic of balance. As writers, we all know how important balance is - our characters can't be too perfect or too evil, we need to mix narrative with dialogue and all the other elements, like plot, setting etc have to work together, with no single one being too dominant. In our own lives, balance is important as well - I'm finding that out now. It's so tempting to just spend every waking moment on my course work as I'm really enjoying it, but I know I can't just abandon my family, friends and writing. It's just a matter of finding the right balance.
What do you do to keep all the elements in your life working smoothly?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Just finished A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick (review coming soon - check out the video on the book page to which I've linked)
Link of the Day: My Library Tech Blog
Which brings me to the topic of balance. As writers, we all know how important balance is - our characters can't be too perfect or too evil, we need to mix narrative with dialogue and all the other elements, like plot, setting etc have to work together, with no single one being too dominant. In our own lives, balance is important as well - I'm finding that out now. It's so tempting to just spend every waking moment on my course work as I'm really enjoying it, but I know I can't just abandon my family, friends and writing. It's just a matter of finding the right balance.
What do you do to keep all the elements in your life working smoothly?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Just finished A Place Beyond Courage by Elizabeth Chadwick (review coming soon - check out the video on the book page to which I've linked)
Link of the Day: My Library Tech Blog
Wednesday, December 03, 2008
My NaNo total etc..
As you can see from the badge in my sidebar, I finished with 15, 387 words. Not bad, considering I only managed to write on 8 of the 30 days. An average of 1923 words per day. I really wish I could have found more time for writing, but things were crazy over the last month. So I'm going to let go and just be happy I managed to achieve what I did :)
Life is super busy overall right now, between work, school prep, writing, Christmas prep (I'm knitting quite a few gifts) and just housekeeping, I don't have much spare time. Grey weather has affected me somewhat, but I'm taking my Vitamin D like a good girl and working through the blahs. It's hard to believe we're at Christmas yet again - our second in this house! Hopefully we'll find a good tree for the deck over the next couple of weekends.
I'm so looking forward to starting school. Working at the library has been a real eye-opener for me, making me realize just how right I am for this kind of job. Why didn't I figure this out earlier? Oh well, better late than never :)
Back to writing - Deborah Cooke/Claire Delacroix had a great blog post the other day about Boulders (the huge obstacles that tend to arise in the middle of most mss). What do you do when faced with those plotting obstacles? I try to play the What If game, as well as examining the story elements Deb talks about.
I always love to hear how other writers deal with the elements that plague us as we write our masterpieces.
Teresa
Currently Reading: Stately Pursuits by Katie Fforde
Also Currently Reading: The Write Type by
Link of the Day: Top Ten Plotting Problems by Alicia Rasley
Life is super busy overall right now, between work, school prep, writing, Christmas prep (I'm knitting quite a few gifts) and just housekeeping, I don't have much spare time. Grey weather has affected me somewhat, but I'm taking my Vitamin D like a good girl and working through the blahs. It's hard to believe we're at Christmas yet again - our second in this house! Hopefully we'll find a good tree for the deck over the next couple of weekends.
I'm so looking forward to starting school. Working at the library has been a real eye-opener for me, making me realize just how right I am for this kind of job. Why didn't I figure this out earlier? Oh well, better late than never :)
Back to writing - Deborah Cooke/Claire Delacroix had a great blog post the other day about Boulders (the huge obstacles that tend to arise in the middle of most mss). What do you do when faced with those plotting obstacles? I try to play the What If game, as well as examining the story elements Deb talks about.
I always love to hear how other writers deal with the elements that plague us as we write our masterpieces.
Teresa
Currently Reading: Stately Pursuits by Katie Fforde
Also Currently Reading: The Write Type by
Link of the Day: Top Ten Plotting Problems by Alicia Rasley
Friday, October 31, 2008
A slow NaNo start...
I really wish today was November 1, so I could start with a bang, but it's not. Tomorrow we're going into Vancouver, so other than in the ferry line-up, I won't be able to write. But with me NaNo is never an every day thing, because much as I love writing, and I do, I won't give up the other things in life that make me happy, like spending the day with Sean, just to say I won. In the end, my writing is still secondary to my life with those I love. And I'm not ashamed in the least to say that.
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Intelligencer by Leslie Silbert
Link of the Day: RévolutionFrançaise.net
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Intelligencer by Leslie Silbert
Link of the Day: RévolutionFrançaise.net
Friday, September 19, 2008
Progress...
I'm feeling a little happier this week re my writing. Not only have I done some good research on one of my stories, but I've managed a fair amount of editing on the ms I want to submit soon. Not only that, but I've done some reading for one of my critique partners (no hardship - it's a compelling story) AND worked on one of the contest entries I'm judging right now. Phew. And the week isn't quite over :)
Also, Sean and I got another row of split rounds into our firewood pile on Wednesday morning:
Sean had fun with his tractor:
So, how about you? How was YOUR week?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Playing James by Sarah Mason
Link of the Day: William Goodwin's Diaries - kept by a 18th/19th century surgeon in Suffolk - a fantastic primary resource
Also, Sean and I got another row of split rounds into our firewood pile on Wednesday morning:
Sean had fun with his tractor:
So, how about you? How was YOUR week?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Playing James by Sarah Mason
Link of the Day: William Goodwin's Diaries - kept by a 18th/19th century surgeon in Suffolk - a fantastic primary resource
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Brief check-in
I'm still here. Working on job apps and also doing research for one of my books. Not much else new to report. More soon - I'll drop by various blogs as I have time.
Teresa
About to Start Reading: The Secret Life of a Slummy Mummy by Fiona Neill
Link of the Day: Pleasure Gardens of Old London
Bonus link of the Day: Deborah Cooke (aka Claire Delacroix) on Setting Goals and Meeting Them
Bonus link of the Day: Deborah Cooke (aka Claire Delacroix) on Setting Goals and Meeting Them
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
How I Write...
Ok - so I know I said I wouldn't be blogging much, but I figured the following was easy and fun. Melissa posted this great meme on her blog the other day.
What is your genre(s)?
Historical, time travel and contemporary romance. I've completed two HRs, one TT and am working on a contemp.
How many books are you working on now?
Um, three. With several more lined up.
Are you a linear or a chunk writer?
Like Melissa I'm a linear writer. Chunks just don't work for me. I'm also a plotter.
What POV are you partial to?
Third person. It comes naturally to me - usually the hero, heroine and villain have a voice, though in my contemp, it's only the hero and heroine.
What tense do you use?
Past.
What theme keeps cropping up in your books?
I'll just echo Melissa's answer as it's equally applicable and put very succintly: "Forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiving yourself and others and accepting yourself and others."
How many days a week do you write?
Most days, in one way or another. Not enough on my novels right now, but I do try my best.
What time of day do you get your best writing done?
Mid to late afternoon is ideal for me. First thing in the morning doesn't work as my brain doesn't seem to function properly then - at least to be creative. My body is up, but my mind isn't awake fully till around 10 am.
Who are your mentors?
Currently, a couple of author friends. From the past, three of my high school English teachers and a couple of history/art history teachers.
Who are your favorite authors to read?
There's not enough room to list them all, but here are a few: Elizabeth Chadwick, Sandra Gulland, Sharon Kay Penman, Anya Seton, Tracy Chevalier, Rosalind Laker, Jo Beverly, Claire Delacroix, Marian Keyes, Cathy Kelly and many, many others.
So - how do YOU write?
Teresa
What is your genre(s)?
Historical, time travel and contemporary romance. I've completed two HRs, one TT and am working on a contemp.
How many books are you working on now?
Um, three. With several more lined up.
Are you a linear or a chunk writer?
Like Melissa I'm a linear writer. Chunks just don't work for me. I'm also a plotter.
What POV are you partial to?
Third person. It comes naturally to me - usually the hero, heroine and villain have a voice, though in my contemp, it's only the hero and heroine.
What tense do you use?
Past.
What theme keeps cropping up in your books?
I'll just echo Melissa's answer as it's equally applicable and put very succintly: "Forgiveness and acceptance. Forgiving yourself and others and accepting yourself and others."
How many days a week do you write?
Most days, in one way or another. Not enough on my novels right now, but I do try my best.
What time of day do you get your best writing done?
Mid to late afternoon is ideal for me. First thing in the morning doesn't work as my brain doesn't seem to function properly then - at least to be creative. My body is up, but my mind isn't awake fully till around 10 am.
Who are your mentors?
Currently, a couple of author friends. From the past, three of my high school English teachers and a couple of history/art history teachers.
Who are your favorite authors to read?
There's not enough room to list them all, but here are a few: Elizabeth Chadwick, Sandra Gulland, Sharon Kay Penman, Anya Seton, Tracy Chevalier, Rosalind Laker, Jo Beverly, Claire Delacroix, Marian Keyes, Cathy Kelly and many, many others.
So - how do YOU write?
Teresa
Dearth of posts...
I'm posting less and even reading other blogs less frequently for a variety of reasons. The job hunt continues + I'm now considering going back to school. All this takes up time - applying for jobs, tailoring my resume for each one, researching school options and consolidating the info. All this leaves me with far less time to just play on the internet :( I do sign into Facebook at least once a day as it's kind of a one-stop place and easy to scan for updates etc.
Oh, and I'm also trying to up my exercise quotient by dragging my sorry a** down to the elliptical trainer early in the morning. Not my favourite time to work out, but it needs to be done and generally once I get started I'm ok, then I can shower and get on with my day.
And, I'm trying to keep up with my writing.
So, if I'm scarce for the next little while, that's why. Not that it appears many people are dropping by here anyway, a result, I realize, of my less than frequent presence here.
Teresa
Currently Reading: Playing James by Sarah Mason
Link of the Day: Medical Heritage of Great Britain
Oh, and I'm also trying to up my exercise quotient by dragging my sorry a** down to the elliptical trainer early in the morning. Not my favourite time to work out, but it needs to be done and generally once I get started I'm ok, then I can shower and get on with my day.
And, I'm trying to keep up with my writing.
So, if I'm scarce for the next little while, that's why. Not that it appears many people are dropping by here anyway, a result, I realize, of my less than frequent presence here.
Teresa
Currently Reading: Playing James by Sarah Mason
Link of the Day: Medical Heritage of Great Britain
Friday, August 29, 2008
Feeling better....
The day didn't start so well (dark, gloomy and rainy), but then I spent time in the library working on my ms AND the sun came out :) I realized while running errands after leaving the library that my mood had lightened considerably.
I pondered this for a while and it occurred to me that my doldrums (while somewhat hormonal) also must be connected to the lack of time I've taken recently to work on the final changes to my manuscript. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the changes made next week so I can submit it.
In other news, my desktop computer has been resurrected, thanks to Sean. Much of my week has been spent loading software back on and reconnecting various peripherals. My job search also continues, slowly but surely. After so many years working for the family company, it's certainly been interesting getting back into the regular job market.
We don't have any exciting plans for the long weekend, especially as Sean actually has to work on Monday.
Next week I'm going to blog about friendship - something that has been on my mind for various reasons over the last three weeks or so.
How about you? Anything exciting going on?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Going Dutch by Katie Fforde
Also Reading: An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer
Link of the Day: London's Lost Tea Gardens
I pondered this for a while and it occurred to me that my doldrums (while somewhat hormonal) also must be connected to the lack of time I've taken recently to work on the final changes to my manuscript. Hopefully I'll get the rest of the changes made next week so I can submit it.
In other news, my desktop computer has been resurrected, thanks to Sean. Much of my week has been spent loading software back on and reconnecting various peripherals. My job search also continues, slowly but surely. After so many years working for the family company, it's certainly been interesting getting back into the regular job market.
We don't have any exciting plans for the long weekend, especially as Sean actually has to work on Monday.
Next week I'm going to blog about friendship - something that has been on my mind for various reasons over the last three weeks or so.
How about you? Anything exciting going on?
Teresa
Currently Reading: Going Dutch by Katie Fforde
Also Reading: An Infamous Army by Georgette Heyer
Link of the Day: London's Lost Tea Gardens
Thursday, July 24, 2008
The importance of Nia...
Long time readers of this blog have probably heard me mention Nia before. The Nia site explains it way better than I can.
This morning I went to my first class in four weeks. To many people, this may not seem significant, but to me it definitely was. For the first time in almost two years I went a month without Nia. And only over these last few weeks have I discovered how important it is to my physical and mental well-being. No wonder my hubby insisted I sign back up for the next session.
Nia is more than physical exercise - it's a total mind/body workout that helps you reconnect with yourself. Yeah, I know - some of you are rolling your eyes right now, but unless you've tried it, you won't understand.
It's about losing yourself in the movement and the music, freeing your inner child and playing with space and rhythm. The music is a blend of new age, contemporary and yes, even some Celine Dion (honestly - her French stuff works really well in this context!)
One of my favourite pieces, from the album Opal (the routine itself focusses on Stability and Mobility), is Exploration by Karminsky Experience
Admittedly, the instructor whose classes I attend here on the Sunshine Coast is also part of the reason - I've no idea if other sessions are as fun.
Since coming home this morning, my mood has definitely been lighter and now I know that at least some of my grouchiness over the last few weeks has been due to the lack of Nia.
Interestingly enough, the feeling I was experiencing was similar to that when I don't write for a while. I guess Nia appeals to the same inner force that creating characters and worlds does.
Is there some exercise you enjoy without which you feel less than yourself? I'd love to hear about it :)
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick (I'm going to finish it now I know I should soon have my hot little hands on A Place Beyond Courage)
Links of the Day: Nia Canada and Nia USA
This morning I went to my first class in four weeks. To many people, this may not seem significant, but to me it definitely was. For the first time in almost two years I went a month without Nia. And only over these last few weeks have I discovered how important it is to my physical and mental well-being. No wonder my hubby insisted I sign back up for the next session.
Nia is more than physical exercise - it's a total mind/body workout that helps you reconnect with yourself. Yeah, I know - some of you are rolling your eyes right now, but unless you've tried it, you won't understand.
It's about losing yourself in the movement and the music, freeing your inner child and playing with space and rhythm. The music is a blend of new age, contemporary and yes, even some Celine Dion (honestly - her French stuff works really well in this context!)
One of my favourite pieces, from the album Opal (the routine itself focusses on Stability and Mobility), is Exploration by Karminsky Experience
Admittedly, the instructor whose classes I attend here on the Sunshine Coast is also part of the reason - I've no idea if other sessions are as fun.
Since coming home this morning, my mood has definitely been lighter and now I know that at least some of my grouchiness over the last few weeks has been due to the lack of Nia.
Interestingly enough, the feeling I was experiencing was similar to that when I don't write for a while. I guess Nia appeals to the same inner force that creating characters and worlds does.
Is there some exercise you enjoy without which you feel less than yourself? I'd love to hear about it :)
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Scarlet Lion by Elizabeth Chadwick (I'm going to finish it now I know I should soon have my hot little hands on A Place Beyond Courage)
Links of the Day: Nia Canada and Nia USA
Monday, July 21, 2008
Quick post with a great link...
I was going to post a review of Geraldine Brooks March today, but time is getting away from me. I'll try to get it up over the next couple of days. I'm also going to post something about Grace Elliott's Journal of my Life During the French Revolution - another great read.
Instead, I'm sending you over to Elizabeth Chadwick's blog, Living the History and her post A Novel Experience, in which she outlines her writing process in detail, complete with sample pages from her mss at various stages.
Writers will be especially interested in this post, but I recommend it for anyone curious about how authors work.
Enjoy!
Teresa
Currently Reading: Nothing - I finished two books on the weekend and have to dig into the TBR pile later today
Link of the Day: Author Cindy Procter-King's blog, Muse Interrupted
Instead, I'm sending you over to Elizabeth Chadwick's blog, Living the History and her post A Novel Experience, in which she outlines her writing process in detail, complete with sample pages from her mss at various stages.
Writers will be especially interested in this post, but I recommend it for anyone curious about how authors work.
Enjoy!
Teresa
Currently Reading: Nothing - I finished two books on the weekend and have to dig into the TBR pile later today
Link of the Day: Author Cindy Procter-King's blog, Muse Interrupted
Thursday, June 19, 2008
This, that and the other thing...
It's been a busy week here on the Coast. I've spent much of my time catching up on things I let slide last week while I was sick. It felt good to actually be doing something again!
We've also discovered that we live at deer central. Now we'd love to think our property itself is the reason, but it's more likely it's because we have the only house without a dog! All our neighbours have at least one big dog, so it's pretty clear the deer feel safest using our garden as their thoroughfare.
I was alerted to a visitor yesterday evening by Chloe growling at the bedroom window - pretty impressive, as I was sitting in the living room with the radio on. She may be a cat, but she's extremely territorial!
After checking to see what nature of visitor (it could have been the bear - we saw evidence the other day that it too had been by as recently as Tuesday morning), I grabbed my camera and managed to get a couple of photos and even some video.
In writing news, I discovered today that I really do need to remember to go to coffee shops more often to work. I stayed in Sechelt between my Nia class this morning and my library shift in the afternoon. With the price of gas these days, I didn't want to go home between the two, so I took the laptop with me and went to The Daily Roast (after finding Starbucks full). I had a yummy coffee and muffin and spent a fruitful hour doing some editing. It was fantastic - there was great music playing and the constant hum of voices and the coffee machine provided just the right amount of noise to lose myself in. I'm too paranoid to use Wireless Hotspots and without the internet I was able to focus on my work.
I've also been glomming books by Vancouver author Robyn Harding - three in the last week! They're page turners and tons of fun. One is even set in Vancouver, which is totally cool. They're very similar in tone to Marian Keyes, Catherine Alliot and Cathy Kelly, but with a Canadian twist. Even the books set in the US give away her nationality - at one point she mentions women might fantasize about sleeping with Joe Thornton of the Colorado Avalanche. I'm not sure many American writers would use a hockey analogy *g*. It's that kind of detail that really sucks me in. Most Canadian teenaged girls have at least one crush on a hockey player. So if you see any of her books - Unravelled, The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom, The Journal of Mortifying Moments or Chronicles of a Mid-life Crisis, pick them up! You can read more about them at Robyn's website.
Last, but not least, here's the book trailer for Elizabeth Chadwick's next book. If you haven't read her books, they're fantastic!
Hope everyone is having a good week :)
Teresa
Currently Reading:The Wedding Day by Catherine Alliot
We've also discovered that we live at deer central. Now we'd love to think our property itself is the reason, but it's more likely it's because we have the only house without a dog! All our neighbours have at least one big dog, so it's pretty clear the deer feel safest using our garden as their thoroughfare.
I was alerted to a visitor yesterday evening by Chloe growling at the bedroom window - pretty impressive, as I was sitting in the living room with the radio on. She may be a cat, but she's extremely territorial!
After checking to see what nature of visitor (it could have been the bear - we saw evidence the other day that it too had been by as recently as Tuesday morning), I grabbed my camera and managed to get a couple of photos and even some video.
In writing news, I discovered today that I really do need to remember to go to coffee shops more often to work. I stayed in Sechelt between my Nia class this morning and my library shift in the afternoon. With the price of gas these days, I didn't want to go home between the two, so I took the laptop with me and went to The Daily Roast (after finding Starbucks full). I had a yummy coffee and muffin and spent a fruitful hour doing some editing. It was fantastic - there was great music playing and the constant hum of voices and the coffee machine provided just the right amount of noise to lose myself in. I'm too paranoid to use Wireless Hotspots and without the internet I was able to focus on my work.
I've also been glomming books by Vancouver author Robyn Harding - three in the last week! They're page turners and tons of fun. One is even set in Vancouver, which is totally cool. They're very similar in tone to Marian Keyes, Catherine Alliot and Cathy Kelly, but with a Canadian twist. Even the books set in the US give away her nationality - at one point she mentions women might fantasize about sleeping with Joe Thornton of the Colorado Avalanche. I'm not sure many American writers would use a hockey analogy *g*. It's that kind of detail that really sucks me in. Most Canadian teenaged girls have at least one crush on a hockey player. So if you see any of her books - Unravelled, The Secret Desires of a Soccer Mom, The Journal of Mortifying Moments or Chronicles of a Mid-life Crisis, pick them up! You can read more about them at Robyn's website.
Last, but not least, here's the book trailer for Elizabeth Chadwick's next book. If you haven't read her books, they're fantastic!
Hope everyone is having a good week :)
Teresa
Currently Reading:The Wedding Day by Catherine Alliot
Friday, April 25, 2008
Two queries out...
Ok, so not a spectacular number there, but better than nothing! I'm in the midst of judging AND am expecting more contract work as well. But I keep plugging away. Every time I think I should give up, I read some of my favourite scenes and get inspired again. I LOVE this story so much.
How do YOU stay inspired to keep submitting?
Our weekend looks to be a busy one, with family coming to visit. Should be fun :) Especially as, at least for Saturday, the weather is looking half-decent.
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch
Link of the Day: Best of History Websites from Princeton University Library
How do YOU stay inspired to keep submitting?
Our weekend looks to be a busy one, with family coming to visit. Should be fun :) Especially as, at least for Saturday, the weather is looking half-decent.
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Wheel of Fortune by Susan Howatch
Link of the Day: Best of History Websites from Princeton University Library
Monday, April 21, 2008
Caught without a camera...
Grrr. Sean and I went for a great walk yesterday. There are several great trails within easy reach of our house and we ended up on a couple Sean had forgotten about. Both led us to a nearby creek, with spectacular views of both and a neat little footbridge. Then we climbed up a rock face (via a winding path - no real rock-climbing involved) to visit a gorgeous arbutus tree and gaze out over the Georgia Strait to Vancouver Island (where they had 30cm of snow on Saturday morning!).
We were out for nearly two hours and saw so many cool things I wanted to photograph, including old bridge pilings, a cool little foot bridge and a small waterfall. OTOH, it's not like they're going anywhere!
On the writing front, I have a couple of query letters almost ready to go, once I've picked over my one-page synopsis one last time. And I'm almost done with my judging duties for now.
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Breached Wall by Anita Burgh
Link of the Day: Online Scholarly Primary Resources
We were out for nearly two hours and saw so many cool things I wanted to photograph, including old bridge pilings, a cool little foot bridge and a small waterfall. OTOH, it's not like they're going anywhere!
On the writing front, I have a couple of query letters almost ready to go, once I've picked over my one-page synopsis one last time. And I'm almost done with my judging duties for now.
Teresa
Currently Reading: The Breached Wall by Anita Burgh
Link of the Day: Online Scholarly Primary Resources
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