The Questions...

Those who know me know my love of "The Questions" - 5 questions I like to ask myself and anyone else silly enough to stand too close to me on New Year's Eve. And since you're standing (virtually speaking) too close to me, I'm going to ask you the questions (they're a great way to reflect in a more focused way):

1. What was the Best Lesson you learned in 2009?
2. What was your Best Memory of 2009?
3. What was your Best Buy in 2009?
4. What was your Best Read in 2009?
5. What's your Hope for 2010?

Of course, I won't ask you to share your responses - I usually only ask people about the best buy and best read - but if you want to share in the comment section, feel free.

I'd have to say my Best Memory was the trip across Canada. We had such great weather and stopped to visit so many people. We even managed to do some sight-seeing, which we don't usually do while driving long distances.

My Best Read would be Eileen Cook's Unpredictable. A laugh out loud read about a woman so desparate to get her boyfriend back she impersonates a psychic - hilarity ensues. I had the privilege of meeting and chatting with Eileen at the Surrey Conference. A wonderful person - generous and helpful and funny! Oh, Surrey would be a good memory, too.

My Best Buy is a little harder. I usually don't buy a lot of stuff. I'm going to say my new (used) car. The truck, which did us well traveling back and forth across the country and lasting 12 years without any major repairs, was in poor shape when we took it in for inspection here. We decided to hunt for a new (used) vehicle that would be better on gas and had four wheel drive for those days when the weather makes driving tough. I got a black Toyota Rav 4 and I love it. It's standard, I love driving a stick shift, and it's perfect.

The Best Lesson is a little trickier. I don't usually get the lessons handed to me - they need to be smacked over my head at least a dozen times for me to understand what it is I'm supposed to learn. I have two possibilities (and I'll reflect on both going forward into 2K10). One is the lesson that I can write. As all writers know, self-doubt shares the room with you at all times. It can make you crazy - and always makes you question your abilities. After a full year of blogging over on The Prairies, sharing my work with industry professionals in Surrey, and my last attempt at a short story (posted over on The Prairies) where I surprised even myself, the descriptor "writer" is beginning to settle into my bones. As I type this, I realize that giving myself permission to call myself a writer will give me the strength and courage to move forward in this career.

The second, which pales in comparison to the epiphany I just had, is that I should be careful in what I wish. I kept bemoaning the fact that I would have to find a job, go to work, drive into town to possibly toil 8 hours at a not-so-good paying job. Wouldn't it be great to work from home? Yeah - got that wish and now I'm struggling with setting reasonable limits to that job and finding time to write for the non-paying job. Anytime I sit at the computer, I struggle with the guilt of working on one of my 'jobs' knowing the other one awaits. But, I am thankful I can work from home and thankful for my boss who believes in me enough to offer me this position. I'll just have to make time management one of my top New Year's Resolutions.

Well, this post is getting long. I didn't mean for it to be so in-depth, but now that I'm typing, I can't stop! Last one - My Hope for 2K10. Always, I ask for peace. The wish for letting the small things go, moving toward inner quietness. Then, I get specific. My hope is to get published. OK, you can't believe how resistant I was to write that - my fingers would not type those words. I started to type "...to take my writing to the next level." How unfocused is that? No, I want to be published - and I know that having a book in print between now and next New Year's is impossible, but getting "The Call" is not. Nor is getting a short story published in a magazine. So, yes, that's my hope for 2K10 - if this is a career, then that's my goal!

So, People of Blogland, thanks for visiting. Hope you try the questions, they really do make you focus and reflect - and sometimes come up with stuff that's both scary and enlightening. Have a very safe and Happy New Year - see you in 2K10 :)

Inspiration - Reflection...

The week leading up to a New Year brings reflection and goal-setting. I thought it would be inspirational to post some quotes on why reflection is a good idea. These are the ones that spoke to me:

Dag Hammerskjvld - "The longest journey of any person is the journey inward."

Thomas Paine - "The real man smiles in trouble, gathers strength from distress, and grows brave by reflection."

Socrates - "The unexamined life is not worth living."

Peter F. Druckr - "Follow effective action with quiet reflection. From the quiet reflection will come even more effective action."

I hope your reflective process, if you're in the middle of one, is going well :)

Dreams...

It only took me the better part of the day yesterday, but when the lightbulb went on, I had a good chuckle!

I posted yesterday about my dreams, vivid images that meant nothing. Until I started to really think about them - and the question I had posed. I had been working on a contemporary manuscript Sunday night and was wondering about the inciting incident (the reason my heroine would start out on her journey, her quest - the impetus for the entire novel). I asked the question and went to sleep.

As I said yesterday, I dreamt of high school frosh days and weddings. I remember not being able to find anything to wear. And of doors not being locked. My work-in-progess is about a woman faced with a high school reunion, the upcoming marriage of her ex-husband, and the sad fact she's gained a lot of weight during the 463 days, 27 hours, and 14 minutes she's been on her own. All of my dreams related back to that - well, except for the doors not being locked, haven't figured that connection out yet. Very cool.

The inciting incident is still elusive, but I think I have a much clearer picture of what it will be. I spent last night doing some free writing and toying with various ideas. Today, as I was writing this post, the "What if..." sentence popped into my head. I'll look at it more closely tonight, but for the rest of today I have to work the paying job.

So, People of Blogland, what do you suppose those unlocked doors mean? If you're writing, how's it going? Are you finding time in the busy holiday season to get stuff done? If you're reading, what are you reading? Let's chat...

Monday Morning Blues...

Woke up grouchy - well, there's not much new there since most days I wake up grouchy, I am not a morning person. I would be very content to switch my day around - sleeping until 10 or 11 in the morning, and staying up late at night. Why don't I, you ask, knowing full well that I work from home and can make my own hours? Well, my 'office' is in our bedroom - I don't thing The Husband would like me tapping away at the keyboard until all hours of the night. And both The Husband and The Dog are morning people - I'd never get any sleep, they'd have me up at the usual 7:30 alarm of their circadian clocks.

Anyway, back to the other reason I woke up this morning groucy. I went to bed with a question. Have you ever done this? If you want an answer to a burning question, an question your sub-conscious has the answer to, you ask yourself it over and over again as your falling asleep. The theory is that you will dream the answer, your sub-conscious will supply you with everything you need in order to move forward. If you're interested, here's a great article on Focused Dreaming. My result was a nightmare.

Images came and went all night - my writing, my job intertwined to become chaotic and frustrating; I had to go to a wedding of a person I didn't know and I had nothing to wear; I got lost and then my car was vandalized; at one point I passed a school in the middle of Frosh and I remember telling someone in the car about my experience as a junior; I believe there was also a pizza delivery; oh, and the people I was staying with refused to lock their doors. Needless to say, I was very tired when I woke up.

Then I realized I had to do 'real work' today - the kind that pays the bills. So I couldn't roll over and go back to sleep. Which made me grouchy!

This is one of those posts that I'll look at in the future and question why I even wrote it - but, this is supposed to be a journal and journaling I am. I hope your sleep was more peaceful and you woke up on the right side of the bed. Question for today, do you remember your dreams?

Looking Back...

Ah, the week between Christmas and New Year's - contemplation time! Every year I use this time to reflect back on the year and come up with, dare I say, resolutions for the next year. I prefer to call them New Year's Thoughts. And I try to limit them to 5!

The sad thing is I write them down - how crazy is that? I've heard that writing down your goals makes them more real, keeps you focused, sends the intent of your desires out to the Universe. This year, not so much. I'm looking over those 5 goals from last New Year's and it's not looking good. Writing them down has only allowed me to see how I didn't accomplish those goals. Well, that's not true - I did write a blog post every Friday. Woo Hoo - success!

So this week, I'll look over those unsuccessful goals and see what it is that I want to carry forth into 2K10 (the Golf Channel is calling the New Year 2K10 instead of 2010 - I'm adopting the phrase, love it). And I'll see about writing out my new goals with the intention of succeeding. Perhaps a lesson in SMART Goals is in order!

Stay tuned later this week for my New Year's Questions - a game I've played for the last 10 or so years that really sums up your year in a different and interesting way. But the question for today is do you, People of Blogland, spend the week between Christmas and New Year's reflecting and planning? Or do you just try and stay away from all the sweets that have accumulated in your kitchen?

Boxing Day Traditions...

Did you eat too much? Every Christmas it's the same thing - me going into the meal reminding myself that turkey and all the trimmings are filling and not to overdue, and me coming out of the meal stuffed and uncomfortable. But it's so yummy. And this year we had mince pie for dessert - and I got to wish upon the first bite (see my short story for that reference).

There's a little sadness today. My family, back in Saskatchewan, will be gathering at my mom's house. With brothers who have families of their own, and nieces and nephews who have children of their own, Christmas is fragmented. But it has become a tradition to gather together on Boxing Day. When we were out there, I hosted the event. I have pictures from last Boxing Day when the family filled our basement's TV room to play Wii Bowling for hours. From my mom down to the youngest great niece, everyone took turns (with my mom, Gran, beating everyone). My nephew and my 'little' brother, the pranksters in the family, sat together and caused trouble. Blankets were distributed since the basement was never the warmest room in the house. My 'big' brother got advice on how to ski jump with Wii Fit from his grand daughter. And my red-headed nephew showed us his hand, eye, feet coordination when he attempted Dance, Dance Revolution and blew us all away.

I won't be there physically today as they gather at my mom's to continue the tradition, but I will be there in spirit. I've instructed everyone to take pictures and send them to me. And I'll call during the event and chat with everyone - not the same as being there, but it will have to do. If my mom had computer access, I'd Skype in, but Wii Bowling is as technical as she gets. I know they'll all have a great time - and eat way too many sausage rolls. Happy Boxing Day, Murray Family :)

So, People of Blogland, how was your Christmas? Do you have a Boxing Day tradition or do you just use the day to relax? How many of you are heading out to snap up some after Christmas shopping specials? And a Happy Boxing Day to you!

Merry Christmas...

To all who visit my journal. Note that I have a medieval short story posted on The Prairies today - I'd love it if you came over and had a read. And if you comment over there, leaving your e-mail address with 'dots' and 'ats', you have a chance to win a fabulous gift basket from The Chicks. We're holding a two week contest, the more you comment, the better your chance of winning.

I wish you joy, peace, comfort, and love this holiday season :)

A Toast...

On this, Christmas Eve, I give to you a recipe with a warning...

Do. Not. Drink. More. Than. One! (Maybe two, but you'll be pushing your luck and you definitely won't be awake to see Santa shimmy down the chimney with all the presents).

I found this on the Internet and had to make it - of course, that meant going to get one of the ingredients because we didn't have it in the house. But it was so worth the trip to town. I also double the eggnog to lessen the potency power - I'm serious, it's got a kick.

Eggnog Martini
1 oz vodka
1 oz amaretto
1 oz eggnog
~Shake well, pour into fancy glass (we don't own martini glasses). Dust with nutmeg!

Whatever you put in your glass, I raise mine to yours and wish you a Merry Christmas :)

Inspiration - Christmas

As the days move swiftly and everyone dashes about to finish Christmas shopping, decorating, and baking, remember to take a moment and contemplate the real meaning of Christmas. And perhaps put this quote on your Christmas Gift List:

"Christmas gift suggestions:

To your enemy, forgiveness.

To an opponent, tolerance.

To a friend, your heart.

To a customer, service.

To all, charity.

To every child, a good example.

To yourself, respect." ~Oren Arnold

Winter Solstice...

Yesterday was Winter Solstice! A magical day when you realize the sun is on its way back and the days will get longer. A group of people down this way are very much into celebrating the solstice and equinox - and three of them have created labyrinths in their back 40. We gathered at one such maze at 1:45 (the official time of Solstice, they said) and wove our way into the center. A brief prayer of thanks and we retraced our steps around and around to finish the walking part of the ceremony. The day was gorgeous, and the new fallen snow, dense with moisture, packed under our feet with a definite crunch.

Afterward, we moved on to another house for mulled wine and the lighting of the Solstice Candle. Passed from hand to hand, we all made a silent wish and then the last person lit the 'sun candle'. A few passages were read, including a wonderful Somerset Verse "The Apple Tree Man", and then we snacked and visited. It was a wonderful way to acknowledge the passing of a season, and share the joy of the returning sun. I understand completely why ancient peoples chose to mark the event with ceremony and festival.

How did you spend your Solstice, People of Blogland? Did you acknowledge it? Are you happy that the sun is on its return trip, and that the days will be getting longer? Have you ever walked a labyrinth?

Do You Know the Rubber Bum Bum Song?

We are snowed in! Yep, the storm came and dumped a ton of snow in just a few short hours. I spent most of the day yesterday curled up on the big chair watching the snow flakes - big, fat snow flakes, so many that I couldn't see the house at the bottom of the hill at times. Even late last night, the snow continued to fall and the wind whipped up that which had covered the ground making little snow eddies as I tromped through the heavy stuff on my routine outing with the dog before bed. This morning, calm - white - beautiful.

Whenever it snows around Christmas I find myself humming or singing "It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like Christmas". It's one of my favortie Christmas Songs. Or "Let it Snow", another favorite. I have a lot of favorites - and I love pulling out the Christmas CDs for day long marathons of traditional carols and newer holiday songs. Here's some other wonderful picks to get you humming first thing this morning (the links take you to the youTube version of the songs) - or whenever you read this...

"I Saw Three Ships"

"Ava Maria"

"O Holy Night"

"Louisiana Christmas Day" - very cajun, very lively

"So This is Christmas"

"Mary's Boy Child"

"Do You Hear What I Hear?"

When I was teaching in the north, I always played Christmas tapes while we did Christmas crafts on the last couple of days before the holidays. One day, one of the girls came up to me and asked if I could play the "Rubber Bum Bum Song". Naturally, I was a little confused and asked her to repeat her request. Yep, she wanted to hear the "Rubber Bum Bum Song". Nope, I wasn't getting any inkling of which song she wanted. I asked her to sing or hum a few pieces - and to my surprise, I did have the "Rubber Bum Bum Song". We all know it as "The Little Drummer Boy" - come on, sing along "The ox and lamb kept time, pa rubber bum bum..." My favorite Christmas Carol memory.

So, People of Blogland, what's your favorite Christmas song - traditional or modern? Do you find yourself singing or humming those songs during the season? Four days left - are you ready for Christmas?

A Weatherly Conversation...

Canadians and the weather - if we have nothing to chat about, the weather always makes a fine conversation.

Back out west The Prairies have been in a deep freeze. Weeks with frigid cold temperatures combined with a strong wind makes for wind chill factors that could freeze skin in seconds (at those low temperatures, the wind could be a gentle breeze and it still wrecks havoc on exposed skin). My conversations at home and with those at work center around the cold. I remember last year at this time, we were living on The Prairies and the cold was unbearable. Everyone talked about it, no matter where you went. Strangers commented on the nastiness and everyone (I mean everyone) wondered when the break would come. The bitter cold tied us together as a community - we all had the bone-numbing chill in common.

Here, on The East Coast, the weather binds people together. October and November were glorious and we all basked in above normal temperatures, no snow, and lots of sunshine. Everyone talked about it - how great it was to have the sun shine brightly in our windows, go shopping without a heavy jacket, not worry about pulling out the snow shovel yet. December has been a different story - more cloudy days, some rain, but still conversation-worthy.

But the real excitement comes when a storm is forecast! That's when you really see 'community'. The talk usually begins a couple of days ahead of the event, once the tempest has been determined to be on a path for the South Shore. In stores you hear snippets of conversation - "...Nor'easter..." "...by Sunday..." "...mostly wind." As the storm nears, the stores get busier with people out for something we like to call 'Storm Shopping'. When we lived here before, we always noticed a dramatic increase in shoppers a day prior to a storm, and the buzz around the store indicated that they were there to 'stock up'.

There's a storm forecast for today. And whispers of its possibility could be heard in the stores on Friday when we were in doing our regular shopping. By Friday night, at the house party, everyone was speculating on its course, when it would hit, and the estimation of its severity. Last night we had friends over for dinner and sure enough talk turned to the storm marching its way north on a direct line for Lunenburg County. By the look of the radar, at this very moment, we are an hour or so away from getting the first 'Nor'easter' of the season. High winds, snow fall warning, ice pellets. And tomorrow when we venture out - or the next day if we're snowed in - talk will be of the storm and its aftermath.

Weather unites us - gives us common ground with friends and strangers - and I would like to propose that is our true National Pastime (forget Hockey).

How's the weather where you are today, People of Blogland? Do you find yourself chatting about the weather with strangers? Is the weather a topic raised during a lull in the conversation? Do you really think Hockey is Canada's National Pastime?

The People Placed on our Path...

Another wonderful house party - the folks around here sure know how to celebrate Christmas! There were about 40 people there, some I already knew and other's who were strangers. But not for long. Everyone milled around, chatting, nibbling (great nibbles - a port cheeseball I couldn't keep my hands off), sipping. We even had a Christmas Carol sing-a-long!

And I met another writer - two, actually, but I'll get to the second one later. I was chatting with a couple of women I already knew, and one I didn't, and the topic of writing came up. So, I filled everyone in on my 'other' job. Here, the lady I didn't know is also a writer - memoir. We had the most fascinating discussion of creating opportunity for our elders in the community to share their life story. That's what Eleanor calls 'memoir'. She's working with some seniors in workshops to help them journal their life. Then the topic turned to the importance of having our veterans do that, before they've left us and taken their stories and memories with them. Fascinating discussion - and wonderful to meet a fellow writer.

She shared with me the names of some people who run a writers' group. And also told me about some writing workshops coming up. For such a small area, there's three starting in January. I'm going to look into them and see if any of them are focused on what I need in my writing journey at this time. I'll keep you posted.

Then, my second writing discussion of the evening, I chatted with a songwriter. I've mentioned in previous posts my fascination with songwriters and the process they take to produce songs. This gentleman shared with me some of his processes and we talked about writing historical ballads. He even gave me a website so I could go and find more information on medieval music, songs, for my story about Grayce, The Singer. Let me just say the conversation was lively, animated, and very informative. And I bow down to the talented people out there who can not only create a short, short, short story - in rhyme - and then have the ability to put it to original music. Talent!

I am of the opinion The Universe puts people in our path for a reason. My job is to keep my eyes, ears, and heart open to the message they bring.

So, People of Blogland, been to any great Christmas parties this season? Have you met someone new this year that has influenced you in some way? Have you had any recent discussions with fellow writers or songwriters or artists that have left you energized and excited about your writing?

Busy Day...

I'm tired just thinking about it - but, stuff needs done. Here's the list:

(I, personally, like this "To Do List" better :)

1. Check e-mails, read favorite blogs (comment on some), Facebook
2. Write blog post for Janet's Journal
3. Breakfast
4. Shopping (in town, constitutes at least two hours because of all the running around)
5. Finish writing out Christmas Cards and stuffing them with letters - take to mail
6. Four hours of paying work - and that list is endless
7. Open House Party tonight at friends' place
8. One hour of writing - Ryan and Jane's story

Oh, and I'm blogging over on The Prairies so I have to keep checking in to respond to comments. Whew, it's going to be a busy day! I hope your day is productive, People of Blogland. TGIF :)

The Story of Our Tree...

We put up our Christmas Tree yesterday - about time, my nephew would say. And, no, it's not a real tree - we didn't go 'a hunting' for it, just took it out of it's box, assembled, and fluffed. It's a pretty tree and doesn't require watering. Nor does it drop its needles all over the floor. Then came the decorating...

After a couple of years living in the Arctic (where there are no trees and I went 'out' every Christmas to visit family), we moved to Hay River and had our first Christmas together. We went and found the perfect tree (well, it needed some 'tailoring' where Ron brought branches from other trees home with us and drilled holes into our tree to stuff said branches in to make the tree look fuller - we lived in the Territories, not known for bushy balsam firs). Then we had to decorate it. Neither one of us had decorations - and I wasn't going to run out and buy a tree load of ornaments. Thank goodness for Canadian Living Magazine.

That year, the Christmas issue had an article on home made decorations. Those who know me are laughing already - I am not a crafty person - but these looked easy enough that I was confident I could succeed. I enlisted the help of my grade 5 students - I needed empty juice boxes and with only weeks until Christmas, I knew I would never drink that much juice by myself. I also needed burnt out light bulbs - again, sent out the call to students, friends, and neighbors. Next on the list - pinecones. Well, if the trees in that part of the world are spindly, their pinecones are equally as unimpressive. I called my mom. Then I went to the fabric store (yes, we had one of those) and bought ribbon and Christmas fabric. I had a plan. Well, I followed a plan!

Every year since then our tree is decorated by those very ornaments that we made ourselves. Little gift boxes tied with curly ribbon - the juice boxes wrapped in shiny gold, green, and red paper; and ones with pointsetta paper all tied with green, red, and gold curly ribbon. Gift bundles hang from branches here and there - the light bulbs wrapped in red or white Christmas fabric, tied with green and red ribbon (they look like little pouches). Big, partially open pinecones spraypainted with a dusting of gold and topped with the same red and green ribbon (Ron had quite the time getting wire down into them in order to hang them). A red and green themed tree, all hand made. We even made the angel that adorns the top of the tree - from a golf ball, some raffia, a cut out wooden angel wing shaped like a heart, and she's draped in some of the red Christmas cloth.

But it's the after story that makes our tree so special. Ron's sister, Kim, heard about our homemade tree and created a raft of homemade ornaments for us - reindeer made from old Christmas lightbulbs, angels made from golf tees, little jester men made from Christmas cloth with bells attached. Ron's mom taught me one summer to make quilted balls - and I did a dozen or so with the fabric I had used for the lightbulb bundles. And a teaching friend gave me angels she had found at a craft sale - made from old string mops!

And my students that year - they all gave me Christmas tree ornaments (not a coffee mug in sight) so my tree wouldn't be so bare.

So, People of Blogland, what goes on your Christmas tree? Special ornaments? Meaningful ornaments? Do you have a theme?

Inspiration - Work Hard, Hard Work..

I'm going to offer a quote by the same man who graced the Inspiration Wednesday page last week. My goal today was to find a quote, or two, that would remind me to work hard. Writing is hard work, hours and hours of lonely, brain numbing work. But hard work usually reaps rewards. In the darkest hour, when you just don't know if you can keep plugging away at something some consider a hobby, if you are starting to believe that yourself and maybe thinking of cutting back on the number of hours spent staring at the computer screen, you need someone to remind you that it will pay off. If you work hard, you will succeed.

"Effort only fully releases its reward after a person refuses to quit." Napolean Hill

"I do not know anyone who has got to the top without hard work. That is the recipe. It will not always get you to the top, but should get you pretty near." Margaret Thatcher

So, at this busy time of the year when writing it the last thing you have on your 'To Do' list, don't give up. Stretch the day by an hour and use that hour to work hard. When time is at a premium, take 5 or 10 minutes to research one agent - even if you're not ready to query, you will be at some point after all your hard work. Take your notebook with you when you're out in the holiday crush, and grab a coffee break and scribble down ideas for the next scene, the next chapter, or the next book. Or take that "Me Moment" and people watch, filling your creative well with potentially new characters.

This is, of course, all advice to myself. I will continue to work hard on this hard work. People of Blogland, what do you do during the busy holiday season to continue to move forward toward your writing goals?

A Bad Case of Myopia...

And - we've moved past the tough scene! Woo Hoo!! I wrote three versions of the same chapter, three, all in the hopes of discovering which one would better move the plot forward and, most importantly, keep the reader interested. I used the "Eye Doctor Exercise" for the simple reason that I couldn't picture in my head which way was going to work best. Even brief notes and point form didn't work. I needed to see all three versions in full to make a final decision.

Once I was done writing all three versions, I read the first three chapters of Lady Bells and then continued with one of the versions, continued reading two chapters past it. Then I did the same with version number 2, asking myself "Is this better?" just like an eye doctor does when you go have your eyes examined. Did the same with version number 3. I knew which one I liked, but I wanted feedback; so I sent it off to three of my writer friends.

They were great - gave me wonderful feedback, made some suggestions and asked some questions to make me think even more about the appropriateness of the change, but left it ambiguous enough that I would still have to make the final decision. Funny thing - even while waiting for those opinions to come back, I knew which version fit the story best.

Option number two speaks to Lady Bells' motivation in ways I had never touched on in the original. And, surprisingly, ties in perfectly to the black moment - almost a parallel scene that forces her to realize she's let her husband's seduction overrule her common sense. And because Hugh witnesses the scene in option number two, that plays havoc with him when he reacts to Lady Bells' eavesdropping later in the black moment. He realizes that he can't have it both ways - a wife he can confide in about certain things and a wife who must never learn of the tragedy of his parents' deaths (thanks, Jana, for hitting me over the head with that obvious conundrum). The best thing, I think (and I'm just talking out loud here), is the change in Lady Bells - her reaction to her father's reprimand is vastly different than when Hugh pulls her away from the threshold of his solar where she has just heard a visitor speak of a murder!

I'm so excited! And believe me, it's been a long time since I've been 'so excited' about Lady Bells. Sad to think I wasted so much time toying with this scene when I should have just gone ahead and written all the ideas out in actual chapters, then stood back and asked "Is this better? How about now? Which is clearer, option one or two? B or C?" The Eye Doctor Exercise :)

So, People of Blogland, what kind of exercises do you do when you've reached a particularly difficult section of a rewrite? How do you push your characters so that their motivation is clear and their pain is real? Do you ever get more than one idea for a scene - how do you decide which one to use? I'm fascinated by writers' processes!

A Decorating We Will Go...

Here's the tree in its new home. And the boys untangling the lights and stringing them on the tree. How come the men always have to do the lights? It's like the BBQ - some manly right!

The cat wondered what was going on and got under the tree to inspect.

Here's the tree all decked out with the lights. After they over-exerted themselves with the lights, they sat at the table, drank egg-nog, and issued orders for where the other decorations should go. Their reasoning was that they were farther away and could spot the holes where trinkets and sparklies were needed. Geesh!

The Tree! Beautifully decorated with muted golds and bronze and copper. Anna has many, many ornaments and it was decided that a theme should be the order of the day. There are also little cream colored angels perched on the branches. Very, very pretty.

Even the cat got decorated. Here she is wearing the latest Cat Christmas Fashion, the Star-kerchief. Very fetching (she sat with it on for a while and then decided high fashion wasn't her thing).

So, People of Blogland, do you have special Christmas Tree ornaments? Do you decorate your tree the same every year? Are the men in your house in charge of the lights? Share with us your Christmas Decorating Traditions :)

A Hunting We Will Go...(Christmas Tree Hunting)

Yesterday was a magical day. Yesterday was also so windy it stole your breath, nipped your nose, and made you cry, but that didn't stop us from venturing out to find a Christmas Tree. Our dear friends, Anna and Jacques, get a real tree every year. When we lived here before, we would tag along on Tree Hunting Day - it became a tradition that I looked forward to. Well, we're back and have forced our way back into the tradition. This year, the four of us drove inland to a tree farm that opened their doors to customers on the weekends (a U-Pick for Christmas Trees). His organic tree farm was featured in the Halifax paper. I took my camera to record the memories.

We found the perfect tree very quickly - amazing how small the trees look in the woodlot, then you get the measuring stick and discover they're over 8 feet tall. Jacques had some dimensions in mind - not too ample in girth, and no higher than 6 and half feet. Once we all agreed on the tree, it was chopped down and dragged out to the road. We left it there to be bundled and moved on to the next part of the day's adventures. A horse drawn wagon ride through the woods where Tristan, our wagoneer, explained wood lot management and difference between organic and commercially run lots (they use lady bugs to manage the aphid problem and still pull the trees out of the lot using the horse and wagon). It was a cool ride, the wind had not lessened, but our reward for enduring nature's bitterness was a wonderful ride with sleighbells ringing, and a sweet, hot cup of chocolate when we finished.

There was a babbling brook meandering its way through the lot, right past where the small camp provided shelter from the wind and the hot chocolate was made to order. The ice and water made for beautiful scenery and I tried to capture the magic.

Stay tuned for part two - I'll post pictures of the tree in its new environment :)

*Edited: I really need to learn how to format a blog with pictures - geesh!

Movie Night - Character Study...

Friday night in our household is Movie and Pizza Night - it's been a tradition for a year or so now. Homemade pizza - last night was pepperoni, ham, salami, fresh pineapple with mozza cheese - then a movie with intermission where popcorn is made to enjoy with the rest of the show. Sometimes, we get all crazy and watch two movies!

I love movies. And now that I write, I watch them differently. I listen to the words, question the choices the writers made, watch for any plot devices, study the characterization, and analyze the black moment.

Last night's movie choice was Rachel Getting Married. Here's the movie information on IMDb, my favorite movie website. I had heard a lot about this movie and I was not disappointed. Anne Hathaway is brilliant and the dysfunctional family speaks volumes about the problems she faces - she is a recovering addict. This was definitely a character study film - story woven around a character's life at that moment and how that character acts and reacts. And it was dark.

As I drifted off to sleep, I wondered about stories that delve into character. There are no car chases, exploding houses, kidnappings, danger to carry the plot. The black moment of this film did not bring you to the edge of your seat. The turn around, the settling of the story back into 'normal' never came - it was there, subtle and soft, but did not resolve the issue at hand. When Kym (Anne Hathaway) returns to rehab after the weekend of her sister's wedding, life continues on with such a small shift in character expectation and a minimal twist in character growth, you wonder if that moment in time will make any difference in the whole of those people's lives.

When I watch movies like that, I wonder if that's the difference between literary fiction and genre fiction. I love my 'happily ever after', all things tied up in a neat little bow and presented to the reader for the satisfying sigh of done. Character study movies, literary fiction, leave the reader with questions, unanswered problems, characters who may or may not change. When I read or watch a movie, I want to know that everyone is going to all right - Rachel Getting Married left me wondering.

OK - rambled on enough about that movie. Recommendation: I have two hands, so I'll give it a thumbs up on one and a thumbs down on the other. People of Blogland, have you seen it? What did you think? When you go to a movie, do you gravitate to the character study stuff or do you want the genre fiction kind - beginning, middle, end, happily ever after? Oh, and because I'm having leftover pizza for breakfast - what's your favorite pizza?

What Would You Do If You Won The Lottery?

Over on The Prairies, I'm blogging about nothing - doesn't that just make you want to click that link and get over there ASAP to read it? I had a very hard time figuring out a blogpost for today and ended up doing a blog about me trying to figure out what to write on the blog! In my usual rambling, verbose way, I ended up up with enough 'nothing' words to constitute a post. And because I was at the eleventh hour (literally, it was 11 o'clock here and I had to post before I could go to bed), I had to go with it.

Anyway - point, Janet, point - I found this really cool generator site on the web that issued writing prompts at the click of a button. Ten minutes of clicking the button didn't help with the blog post, but it fascinated me. Every one of the prompts it generated made me think - and I believe the site, which I've bookmarked, would be a great daily morning writing exercise to get the creative juices flowing (that is if I didn't have this blog every morning that makes my brain think without its three cups of coffee).

The funny thing about all this writing prompt stuff is one of the options was to list 10 things you'd do if you won the lottery. I was all over that, opened up a new word document and began typing. If you're anything like me, winning the lottery would be the answer to all my troubles. Well, probably not, but I do wear rose colored glasses. As an aside, the problem with my "Faint Hope Clause" is that we don't buy tickets on a regular basis - hard to win the lottery with that routine. I also believe that if you don't have money issues, the Universe will not give you a hoard of cash in which to work through those non-existant issues.

Do you know that I couldn't think of 10 things I'd do if I won the lottery? Goes to show my theory has merit. I did the usual - buy a house, take a trip, help out family, quit work. Then, nothing. Everything I thought of didn't really appeal to me - I would never do that. Four! Four things came to mind for this writing prompt. I think with such simple wishes I should win the lottery - don't you?

So, question of the day People of Blogland, what would you do if you won the lottery? Name one or name all ten. And have a fabulous Friday :)

Voice - And a Snippet...

Back to voice - I was re-reading some of the stuff I've written on Gillian and Mac's story (and calculating that I've written enough words, over and over again, to constitute two manuscripts - yikes) and realized that Gillian's issue is with voice. Hey, write what you know!

Gillian is a painter - landscape. But, she paints landscape because that's what she thinks everyone wants her to paint. That's what sells to the tourists in the tiny town on the south shore of Nova Scotia. And painting landscape is a way for Gillian to stay in control. Now, I've figured out what it was in her past that forced her to stop painting abstract (her passion) - she caught a man she held in high regard discussing her abstracts with another person and dismissing them as frivolous, amateurish, not worthy of anything. So, Gillian paints landscape - but she hasn't given up on her abstract, she just doesn't share them with anyone.

So, here's a paragraph from Gillian and Mac's Story (great title, eh?) that speaks to 'voice' and the peacefulness following your heart brings:

Gillian ignored the heron waiting for the finishing touch to his eye and sat in front of the other canvas. She had not looked at this one in over six months, her time concentrated on getting her other paintings in the series ready for the artists’ tour. It didn’t matter, even with the lapse in time, this canvas still spoke to her. Her lips twitched into a full smile. Her indulgence. She shivered in anticipation of stroking soft bristles over stiff canvas. There was no pride in this work, only passion and release. She grazed her palm over the partially painted canvas, then closed her eyes. When she opened them again, her breathing had slowed; her brush poised over the paint on her palette. The first dip of soft bristles in the slick, oily paint took her out of this world.

So, People of Blogland, is there some passion of yours that 'takes you out of this world'? Makes the time seem to stand still, yet fly by while you indulge? Do you do things because other people think you should? And have you ever had anyone squash your dream making you question what you want to do in life? Heavy questions for a Thursday :)

Inspiration - Do It Now...

How often do you put something off? Wait for the right setting, the right pen, the perfect writing desk, or (as in my case) a bigger chunk of time? Well, if we continue waiting for the 'right', we'll miss opportunities and our goals (no matter what they are) will seem too unattainable, too hard to reach. I found this quote on Alannah Lynne's blog and wrote it down. It spoke to me:

"Do not wait; the time will never be just right. Start where you stand, and work with whatever tools you may have at your command, and better tools will be found as you go along." Napolean Hill

It seems, to me, that once you start something the Universe watches and listens - then sends help in various forms. Sometimes it will be a new friend who has knowledge you need to meet your goals. Sometimes it will be a chance article in a magazine you rarely read. Sometimes it will be an 'aha' moment that allows you to move past your writing block and propels you forward.

Our job - to start. Then - to listen.

Early Morning

Still
Quiet
Peaceful
Hazy blue sky tinged pink with dawn's first blush
Magestic Maple. Bare, stoic, waiting winter's term
Not a ripple mars water's blue reflecting pink
The lace of fall and winter, white and grey and brown
Tendrils of smoke drift and dance
Peaceful
Quiet
Still

Have a wonderful Tuesday :)

Christmas Tree - Too Early?

My nephew gave me a virtual finger shake yesterday over on Facebook -

As an aside, I love Facebook. Didn't think I would, but now that I'm away from family it's a wonderful way to keep in touch. Most of my neices and nephews have a Facebook profile and update their status regularly, giving me an insight into what they're doing without having to call them. I don't know about you, but teenagers really don't want a weekly phonecall from their Auntie! When I called my brother last week, I knew almost everything that was happening before he told me - because of Facebook. And not only is it great for family, but for new friends as well. I have many writer friends from the States that I have 'friended' on Facebook. This would never have been possible five years ago. It's definitely cool!

- he admonished me for not having my Christmas tree up yet. David - it's only December 7th! Which got me thinking - when do most people put up Christmas decorations? Growing up, we usually decorated about a week before Christmas and then left the stuff up over New Year's. I tend to follow that tradition, so my tree will go up around the 18th and then stay up until Christmas according to the Julian Calendar (Jan. 6 would be Christmas Eve). I enjoy celebrating that Christmas with a feed of peroghy and cabbage rolls.

Other people, my sister-in-law for one, love to put up their decorations at the beginning of December. I believe she has them down before New Year's Day. The big Christmas season in the States starts right after the American Thanksgiving (end of November) with holiday shopping and Christmas commercials on the television. And I remember one lady when we lived in the north never took down her tree. It was a part of her everyday decoration, and she changed the ornaments depending on the season. It was neat to drive past her house and see the Christmas Tree lights on all year!

So, People of Blogland, when do you put up your Christmas tree? Are you an early bird, or does the sight of a decorated tree for longer than 3 weeks drive you crazy? Do you put everything up in one day, or is it a slow process of decorating over a couple of days? Only 19 days until the big event!

Trivia: Did you know that the trees featured in Boston Common every year for the last 30 have been gifted to the residents of Boston by Nova Scotia as a thank you for Boston's assistance during the Halifax Explosion of 1917? Read about this bit of history here and the Christmas tree tradition here. And if you're ever visiting, The Maritime Museum of the Atlantic has an amazing display about the explosion.

I Need a Cigarette...

I am no longer a Skype Virgin!

With much excitement and anticipation, I 'attended' the December meeting of the SRW - in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. No, the group didn't spring for a plane ticket (although, I don't know why), and no I didn't fly home at my own expense just to go to the annual potluck Christmas gathering of romance writers. With the amazing technology called Skype, I was able to sit in my office chair, in my bedroom, in East LaHave, Nova Scotia, and take part in the meeting. It was fabulous.

My first attempt at Skyping was a little scary and I thank Megan for helping me download and give me a tutorial this past summer. I'm really not much of a techie person, but the programs today are so user friendly it was a piece of cake. Speaking of cake - the annual event is a potluck nibbly event. Everyone who attends brings either a savoury or sweet snack. The only downside to the whole meeting was not being able to eat any of the great food that had been brought. When I do this again next year (you know, if they hook me up on that side - funny, I could be sitting in my office chair waiting for connection and they could just not bother) I'm going to supply my own little buffet of goodies.

I got to speak privately with everyone there (except Carrie Anne who arrived later - sorry I missed you, Carrie Anne). Then, while they ate and did a book discussion, we disconnected. We reconnected for the meeting. They sat me on a table and I felt like part of the group. I could only see Hazel and Joanne, Hayley and Lesley's arm kept coming into view as they reached for the chocolates on the coffee table, and if anyone passed through on their way to the kitchen. The sound, for the most part, was great. I missed some of the conversation - when everyone was talking at once, or if someone spoke quietly. And there is a big delay that takes getting used to - my quick wit does not play well at a 10 second delay, topic has usually changed and the 'zing' is somewhat out of context. But it was fantastic.

Not as good as being there in person. Miss you guys! I don't know if I'd use it all the time - as in replacing my favorite mode of chat 'MSN Instant Message', but it is nice to 'see' the person you're talking to.

So, People of Blogland, do you use Skype? Are you excited by the new technology that makes the world that much smaller? Or does the thought of possible social seclusion (being 'connected' without ever having to meet face to face) freak you out just a little? I'm off to get some writing done today - have a great Sunday :)

The Dreaded Christmas Letter...

I've dug myself a hole and am having a hard time getting out. It's Christmas time - Dec. 5th to be exact - and I still haven't started my Christmas Letter. You know the one where you sum up a year's worth of activities in a two page treatise? Yeah, that one. It should basically write itself this year with all of the changes that have taken place. My problem? My hole? I don't write 'normal' Christmas Letters!

The first unusual Christmas Letter was a 12 stanza limerick fest. I was bored with the "We did this. Then we did this. In November, this happened." Not that I don't love getting those - because I do. I rip open envelopes as soon as they come through the door (sometimes in the car or on the driveway) so I can catch up with all my friends and relatives. But my imagination is a little on the bent side and I'm all about entertaining. The Limerick Fest went over very well. And I was hooked on producing an unusual Christmas Letter for the following year.

Every year it became a challenge - what will I try this year for the Christmas Letter. One year I re-wrote the Night Before Christmas into a Ron and Janet's yearly summation. I've done a Top Ten List. There's been the Multiple Choice version, the Crossword Version, and a Letter to Santa Version. My mom's favorite - the year I wrote the letter from the point of view of our then 6 year old German Shepherd, MC. And every year the challenge gets harder and harder.

This year? The hole looks insurmountable. I need to get something done and quickly (had hoped to have it done in November so I could send it out with the change of address). I could write a letter from the point of view of this dog, Taz. My mom would love that (has suggested it, actually), but it's just not speaking to me. I had a really weird idea at 5 am one morning this week, but when I flew it by The Husband I got the look that said "You're kidding, right?" ACK, the pressure's on.

So, if you're wondering what I'm doing today - yep, Christmas Letter. If I sit long enough staring at the blank screen, something will spark and, hopefully, I'll get the first draft done today :) What do you do for a Christmas Letter? Do you like getting Christmas Letters or is it akin to the proverbial fruitcake that no one likes?

Not So Secretive Excursions Where Food Will Be Enjoyed...

Blogging about secrets over on The Prairies today. I love secrets - especially in books.

Also heading into Halifax for a day of shopping - and eating out, of course. I'm not much of a shopper, but I do love to eat out. Last time we had Vietnamese - chicken in peanut sauce over thin rice noodles with two perfectly seasoned jumbo shrimp, a spring roll that was crisp and flavorful, and a salad with a rice wine vinegar dressing. I even ate the whole meal with my chopsticks! I try not to eat at the same place twice - not when there's so many choices - but this restaurant would definitely be on my 'repeat' list. I hope we find something equally as good.

Then home to attend the first of many Open House Christmas parties on the block. We have another one on Sunday. Looking forward to visiting lots of people in a very casual, come and go setting. And, of course, eating more glorious food.

Going to be a busy start to a busy weekend. How about you, People of Blogland? What plans do you have for the weekend? Have you finished your Christmas shopping? Do you love to eat out - tell us about the last place you ate out, what you had, how good was it?

Writing the Really, Really Hard Scene...

Here's a little insight into writing a hard scene - this was last night when I knew I had to put something more into the fourth chapter of Lady Bells. I needed to hint at the reason she eavesdrops. And I needed to make it believable enough so that her character arc made perfect sense. Back when I sent the full to Karyn, she suggested layering. That's been foremost in my mind as I do a final go through of this novel.

A little background. Mena has woken up hungover - not used to drinking her father's un-watered down wine, and she drank a fair bit while she struggled with her physical response to her betrothed. In the original, she heads downstairs encountering a serving wench coming from one of the guest bedrooms. Mena's suspicious little mind believes it's Hugh's chamber - just like a man. Then she has a candid discussion with Cook about the reasons men drink to excess. She is told to seek out the healing woman for a cure. The yard is very active with men preparing to ride, but she is so miserable she ignores them (this is where her character doesn't ring true - Mena has an insatiable need to know everything - she would never miss the opportunity to discover what was going on). Part way down the road, the men pass - Hugh 'pulls over' and comes back to talk to her - and bits and pieces of her memory return bringing embarrassment and shame.

I went from having Hugh speak with her brother after their encounter (worried about her knowledge of stuff she shouldn't know) to having her brother speak with her before the wedding, to a chance encounter with one of the guests that Hugh discovers and reacts to. Then I decided that her whole 'issue' is with her father and the decisions he made when she was young and her mother was dying. So - I pulled out all the dialogue with her father from previous versions, printed them off, and dusted off the old laptop (the one with no Internet connection).

Hmmm, when she comes out of the building she could see the men discussing something in the yard - Hugh, Robert, and Lord Percy. Gets her curious.

Yes - and they keep talking when she siddles closer.

Good, good. Short snippet. Nothing that will give away Hugh's discussion with her later. Should she interject?

No! She would never feel confident enough. She's never been allowed to listen to a conversation openly, let alone speak.

Right. So she's listening - and I can throw in some physical cues about Hugh's suspicions about this sheep stealing.

Good! Make her question his motives/reasons for discovering the true identity of the reivers.

She's so caught up in the conversation, she doesn't see her father exiting the manor. And when she does, she panics and tries to sprint away.

But he catches her arm and literally drags her to a private spot so he can chastise her.

But she's still out in the open - humiliating her in front of Hugh and their guests. Yes.

So, now her father needs to say something...oh, that's good. Force her to speak up about past injustices for the first time...Chilling - show her father's unease with her disclosure. Is it guilt? Yes, he has to feel guilty, but he won't let her bring him to that humbling level. He turns the tables on her - accuses her of being a child. Tells her to grow up.

How's this line?

You're going to write that?

I think.

I don't know. That's pretty deep. That brings in a whole other level of pain, dispair...reason. Write it.

Are you sure? I'm afraid.

Why?

If I write this, then I can't end the chapter with Hugh's light hearted discussion. I think it's too simple after such a disclosure.

Then take it out - OR have it before. Could they be discussing the reiving after the group meeting?

Sigh

By then, my brain hurt and I couldn't think any more. I might have to do a Chapter 4A versus 4B write - then decide which rings truer.

So, People of Blogland, what do you do when you're writing tough scenes? Do you talk to yourself? Do you argue over the direction - questioning every step, every nuance? Have you ever done an "Eye Doctor" exercise: This one? Or this? Flips chart A? or B? Flips chart Is this clearer? Or does this look better?

Inspiration - Finding Your Voice..

Thanks to Hazel and Hayley for the comments yesterday. Your words, advice, encouragement are appreciated :) I gave 'voice' some thought - and, well, I'll talk about it another time. But I did find some motivational quotes that spoke to me concerning this identity crisis. I hope you find them inspiring, too.

“Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” - George Bernard Shaw

I really think with tons of writing practice (and the occasional blogpost or two), this quote holds true. A natural voice will emerge. It then comes down to what will you do about it - which leads to this quote:

“You never find yourself until you face the truth” - Pearl Bailey

Enjoy the day, People of Blogland. Sunny and bright here - coffee party to attend (yummy, egg salad sandwiches) - and, hopefully, some writing time after the paying job is finished.

Voice - An Artist's Style...

Most of my writer friends know of my issue with voice. I've probably bored them to tears with discussions on finding my voice! I've written blogposts over on The Prairies about finding my voice! And if I come across a blog that talks about voice, I'm usually bookmarking it AND sending it off to my writer friends in an e-mail!

VOICE! The thing that sets you apart from all the other story tellers out there. When a reader picks up a book, without looking at the author, they instantly recognize the voice. I think of Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Jennifer Cruisie, Linda Howard (no website) - authors that have unique voices that I would recognize anywhere. Voice is what brings you back to an author time after time.

And now I've begun to expand my discussion with voice to my non-writer friends. I've also begun looking at voice as it's found in other parts of the art world. Singers have a voice - not that kind of voice - so that if you hear a song on the radio by, say, Blue Rodeo, you instantly know that's Jim Cuddy. Or, if you're a country fan, a song sung by Reba McEntire - as soon as she opens her mouth, you know it's her. And I think that's what all the judges on the Idol shows look for - unique voice, something that makes the singer stand out, makes them recognizable.

Artists can be covered under the same umbrella. I've met two wonderful women recently, Shelley Mitchell and Barbara McLean, both landscape artists. As with any new person I meet, I'm fascinated by them - who they are - and talk always turns to the 'art'. During our discussions, both mentioned 'voice'. The true soul of a painter takes the art from "That's nice" to "Wow, that's incredible". A uniqueness. A vision. A sharing of one's true identity.

I've just silenced myself...those words have struck a chord (this post is full of cliches) and I need to think about it. Fear echoes just beyond those words - a common happening when I spew thoughts on paper. Let me come back to this topic - until then, share your thoughts if you wish.