Love Christmas! I have 16 days off and although there are many wonderful family activities and of course, skiing (and snowboarding), I have managed to set aside a few days to write. Currently working on Chapter 7 of my current novel and it is going quickly — which I hope is a good thing! No blocks (at least not major ones) right now. One of my commitments today was to be a cashier at a casino where my husband’s organization is raising money to repair a 300 ton steam locomotive. It wasn’t very busy, so I was able to finish critiquing my new acquaintance’s novel between cashing out chips. I should be able to give her the crit at Thursday’s IFWA meeting, so that will be a nice turn-around time for her: one month. Hope my crit is helpful.
Sometimes you love technology . . .
And other times!!! So, I posted last week, but 2 of my 3 paragraphs didn’t show up on the post. What I was going to say, is that I am critting a novel for a new member to one of my writers’ groups and there are definite challenges when critting someone you have only had one conversation with. One always wants to be helpful, but a writer has to be very thick-skinned when getting critted, and I don’t want to offend. I think the best bet is to tread lightly . . .
Critiquing new writers, and other things
The gathering of my Kensington Writers’ Group was great. People’s careers are really taking off. Not only did Shenaaz have lots of interesting stories about being a GG nominee, Jan has just signed her contract for the publication of her children’s novel, “Dead Frog on the Porch” (great title, eh?) and she and Francis had cool stories to tell about their weekend at the Surrey Writers’ Conference. Also, we have a new member of our group.
Notice that “Back” is now listed on the SFCanada site
Have a look at Canadian SF for all the awards in Canada, latest news in Canadian SF, as well as all the works eligible for the Auroras. I just posted “Back” (Analog, June 2008 — you can read it right here on my website under “Publications”) which will be eligible for the upcoming Auroras (to be presented at Anticipation in Montreal this summer) as well as for the current Nebula award. I already have two recommendations for the Nebula.
TTFN!
Susan
World Fantasy and Counting
Less than a month, now, until World Fantasy — right here in my own town of Calgary! I have the great good fortune to be the host for David Morrell. One of the cool things I am focussing on this month is selecting and reading some of his fiction, as well as researching his biography. In just perusing his website, I noticed that he was an early fan of “Route 66.” I remember that show too, as one I enjoyed well.