I love travel, and especially on the back of Don’s motorcycle. Not only is travel stimulating to the imagination, but I can record ideas, and even compose as Don rides–we don’t have inter-helmet communication so I can take time to develop ideas.
Canada Reads with Madeleine Ashby
Had the opportunity today to see Madeleine Ashby speak about her book, “Company Town,” a Canada Reads top-five book–and speculative fiction! She was very interesting, and the host, CBC’s Russell Bowers, was very relaxed and asked interesting questions. There was also a Q&A session for the audience, so I asked a question as well. Cool to see spec fic getting national attention–at last!
Show vs Tell at the Alexandra Centre
Got to teach for the first time at the new digs for the Alexandra Centre, today. Ten students, everyone from beginners all the way to some really amazing writers. Wonderful participants in discussion, also willing to share their writing, which makes the class always run so much more smoothly. Great day.
Also, the photographers in the new Art Centre were having phenomenal displays and there is to be a gala tonight. Can’t go, but isn’t it awesome to be working in an arts centre with photographers, painters, other visual artists, theatre people, musicians, dancers…? Yeah!!
Applied to be a Canada Council Peer Assessor
I was filling out the WWC Grants application profile for the new Canada Council Grant website, and when I was done, it asked if I wanted to be a Peer Assessor. Hey, that would be cool. So I sent in my resume and a letter about why I thought I’d be a good peer assessor. Probably nothing will come of it, but it would be cool if it did.
Writers’ Retreat: 4 days of awesome
Nothing like getting away for the “weekend.” Okay, Friday to Tuesday. The 6 hour drive on either end was an opportunity to set writing goals and be accountable, and have writerly friends ask questions to deepen my thinking. The days spent were 8 AM – 10:00 PM devoted to writing except for meal breaks (and writerly conversations). Drafted my WWII novel from an idea rattling around in my head for a few years, to 76 scenes structured with crises, climaxes, internal and external conflicts, motifs, and all the trimmings. Ready to jump in. Oh, except for all the research questions I wrote down.