Women's Writers' Weekends

I'm scheduled to participate in a Women's Writers Weekend. Hours of writing intermixed with discussion, assigned topics, and I'm thinking wine. Excellent. I've never participated in one of these before, but sounds like a great idea/time to me.

I'll keep you posted.

When Words Collide, Calgary 2011

This weekend is the first annual When Words Collide conference/festival in Calgary, Alberta, Canada. I popped in yesterday for way less time than I would have liked, but what I did experience was wonderful! The sheer volume of attendees was inspiring. Special thanks goes out to the lovely woman working the registration table who helped this frazzled panelist get to the right spot on time! Thank you!

So yes, I had the great pleasure of being a panelist in one of the sessions. It is pure magic sitting in a room full of writers, of all genres. Writers coming together is such a powerful thing. And fun! Talking about romantic components to all genre fiction writing was great, especially with that crowd. To everyone who attended, thank you, hope we helped, and have a GREAT rest of your weekend. Happy writing! Especially the tension parts. . .

Take care writers and readers! Happy Summer!

Calgary Stampede, Camping, Writing, When Words Collide, oh my!

Good grief, summer is blasting by! What fun, though!

The novel continues. For anyone who ever wondered about writing, try it. It's REALLY fun! Each time I get back to my manuscript, it feels so good diving back into my characters. Fantastically fun. Try it!

The Calgary Stampede was last month. I went three times. . . I'm a bit horse-happy. Incredible animals. Just being near them makes me a happy kid.

I also went to see Kevin Costner and the Modern West perform. I had no expectations, just thought it sounded like fun to check out. I had a great time! His voice and the actual playing is good, but it's the energy of the songs and lyrics that pack the real punch. Some music you listen to and are entertained. Other music you listen to and you feel it it at your very core. Nice work Kevin and company!

Special thanks to my friend who accompanied me. You know who you are. What a blast! Thanks for the straight up good fun! And the mini donuts.

Last weekend was the Long Weekend in Canada. I had the pleasure of camping in Kootenay Lake country in British Columbia. Dang, that's heaven! I just want to go jump in the lake!!

I've got a Women's Writing Weekend coming up. What's that? I'm so glad you asked. It is when a group of women writers congregate at the same spot for a weekend and write write write. Ok, there might be a bottle of wine in there sometime, too.

Then there's the When Words Collide conference/festival. Stay tuned for more info!

Happy Day!

Book Signing

I have my first store book signing this weekend. Exciting and nerve-wracking all at the same time.

So I wrote of writing schedules the last post and I have to say I'm digging having one. Ah focus, it's a powerful thing.

Happy Day Eveyone.

Type A

I'm thinking I could use a bit more Type A in my personality. Anyone else? I feel this amazing drive to organize everything in my, well, life. How exciting. Must be spring.

Anyway, I was playing back a conversation I had with a friend of mine who is very organized. She loves order, and structure. I was marveling what a different life I would have if I followed that. Hmm. something to ponder.

That leads me to writing schedules . . . pro or con? When is writing creative and when is it on a timeline. How can I effectively reconcile those two energies and make them play brilliantly well together?

Guess you guys know what I'm doing this weekend.

Happy Day Everyone. May the World have a Great Weekend!

climbing and bouldering . . .

My climbing chronicles continue. I checked out Stronghold on the weekend for the first time. Ooh, I am delighted!! I'm still sticking to bouldering. That height thing might get in the way of the whole fun thing. And, I like not having to fart around with harnesses and ropes . . . and scheduling playtime when climbing friends can come out for belaying partners.

Ahem, if you guys are reading this, seriously, lets go!

Anyway, so I went. And had a ball. Now might be a good time to share my love of green runs for skiing. How does this apply to my climbing adventures? Keep reading. I can ski, by myself, all day on green runs. I know, sounds boring to many. Why stick to green runs? Well, I don't go often, so the few times I do go I want to play all day, not scare the bageezes out of myself in the Rockies. So, I stick to green runs, and have my happy, safe time. . . I did ski my first bowl at Kicking Horse, though . . .

Back to bouldering. So I stayed on the simple wall for the most part. Had a great time just playing and practicing moving across the wall. I tried some of the wee overhanging walls and learned I need to work on building up my giganto muscles (that was a joke). Tons-O fun and I did a lovely job of ripping open several fingers. Writers need callouses, too! How about that. :o)

Spring . . . kinda

So spring is here. . . technically. I saw a robin when I opened the curtains on Spring Equinox (I know I'm tardy writing about it, equinox was a week and a half ago). Anyway, the robin, that was cool. A welcome sign. And a smile in what was a rather grumpy start to such an extraordinary day.

Writing continues. It is different going for the full-length novel instead of the novella. Different, but I dig both of them. Storytelling is storytelling. And I love it.

On the reader front, I was ecstatic to find a new-to-me author, Christie Craig. I read her Shut Up and Kiss Me first, followed by Gotcha. I enjoyed both, but Shut Up and Kiss Me was my favorite of the two. I like it when a book inspires me to laugh out loud. Well done Christie!! Your characters - awesome! Thank you!

Happy Day!!