How a Beaver Solved a Plot Problem

Sitting at my computer this morning stymied by a plot problem. How could a vengeful accountant, inexperienced in the nefarious ways of underworld lure the legendary Tracker into a fatal trap? 

I've been mulling the problem over for some time but could only come up with some quick and dirty solutions. For example:

Why couldn't the accountant could just hire an assassin? Well, ya - but how does the assassin get a shot at a man that nobody ever sees? No one knows where the Tracker lives, where he goes, what he will do next. How do you kill a man like that?

Perhaps the accountant could leave an electronic trail of breadcrumbs for the Tracker to follow - straight into a trap? Sure...but this seems too obvious, kinda been there, done that. Besides, I don't think the Tracker would fall for this kind of bush league effort. 

Or, what if the accountant threatened Helen, the Tracker's girl Friday? The accountant used to pay the Tracker's bills - it would be possible for him to track down Helen and use her as a hostage to lure in the Tracker. My initial reaction? Yawn....how many times has that device been used? Too many to count.

So, with that problem percolating in the back of my mind, I decided to take Sophie for a walk down to the river. In previous posts I've mentioned that getting to the river at the back of our property involves a one kilometer slog through the woods. When I finally reached the water, I was read for a break so I took up a spot on a rocky outcropping and watched the current flow. The soft burbling of the water as it rippled through a narrow section helped to clear my thoughts.

I was in a peaceful zen state of mind when I saw a beaver swimming up the river, straight toward me. Sophie was oblivious until the beaver gave a mighty smack with its tail onto the surface of the water then dove down and out of sight.

Sophie's back went up and she took her usual defensive position - tucked in behind my knees, poised to make an ignominious escape the moment the beaver made one wrong move. Have I mentioned that Sophie is all about survival of the fittest.

Luckily for my plot problem, the beaver surfaced a few seconds later, and I was surprised to see that it had moved closer to me. I stood very still, careful not to stare directly at it, an unnecessary precaution as it turned out. It seems the beaver was more curious about the great big land ape and her cowardly dog than we were about it.

For almost 20 minutes it circled my position, swimming ever closer in a zig-zag pattern. The temperature was close to zero and after awhile, I needed to move in order to keep warm. Surprisingly, my shuffling movements did not deter the little beaver, in fact it moved in closer. Even the proximity of the dog didn't seem to frighten the beaver.

This section of the river rarely sees human inhabitants. Maybe the odd canoeist might brave the series of rapids and the rather large waterfall that impede travel but most sane people avoid this area. It was likely that this beaver, which appeared to be fairly young, had never seen a land ape in a red jacket before. The beaver was curious. So curious, it overcame its inherent threat avoidance mechanism in order to take a good, long look. If I had been a different sort of land ape, the beaver would most certainly be dead right now.

"Silly little beaver," I said, "curiosity killed the cat."

And then I had it! That Ah Ha moment. To lure a wary predator - you must disarm its natural defense mechanisms and cause it to turn its back on years of experience. How? By presenting the predator with a great big, weird, puzzle.

A great, big, weird puzzle too surprising, too tantalizing, too juicy to ignore.

What is that puzzle? You'll have to wait for Book Two to find out, but I can assure you, it is not boring.

 
Thank you, Mr. Beaver, for your timely plot lesson!

Signy Shepherd Rides Again

Did I mention that Book Two in the Signy Shepherd series is well underway?

I know I mentioned in my last post that once Blown Red was turned into my agent the entire project vanished from my thoughts but, Book Two, which I had put on the back burner while I worked on the revisions to Blown Red is calling to me.

I LOVE the premise of Book Two. I think it is more complex, less cliche and I can't wait to get back to it.

Of course it would be optimum if Blown Red sold and the publisher wanted a second book. Knowing that there is a financial reward at the end of a project is a great incentive. It is easy to write under those circumstances.

Writing a popular genre novel when there is no guarantee of monetary gain is a different kettle of fish. It is not as though the writing is personally cathartic, or full of insight, or, in fact, brilliant on any level. It is just a fun story meant to entertain.

And, as it turns out, it is a fun story to write.

So, regardless of whether the first book sells, or whether I have to return to a 'real world' job, it seems I just can't let Signy Shepherd and her Scooby Gang of misfits molder in the recesses of my mind for much longer.

I guess that makes me a writer....

"What is it?" Grace asked.

Signy turned the strange object over in her palm, brushing the tip of one finger over what appeared to be a miniscule antenna.  "I have absolutely no idea."

Grace narrowed her eyes. "Maybe we should put it back."

Signy nodded. "It might be rigged to explode or something." Grinning, she sat back on her heels. "Then again, it just might be the key to this entire mess."

Grace peered at the object, its fluorescent orange surface giving off a toxic glow. Her eyes twinkled. "Open it."

Signy laughed then slowly pried off the lid.

My Book is Finished. What Now?

It's strange the way things end with a whimper. Blown Red, which occupied so many of my waking hours and more than a few of my sleeping ones as well, for almost a year and a half,  is back with my agent. Luckily, she let me know that she is very happy with the revisions and will likely offer it next week. Whatever that means...

It's funny, though. As soon as the send button was pressed and the final hard copy was tucked high on a shelf the entire project was gone from my thoughts. Poof. It just winked out.

So, what next?

 Obviously, I would prefer the best case, all time lottery win, super-duper scenario that would mean the book has sold and the publisher wants a second novel, and a third, and a fourth....you get the picture.

Still, I am realistic. I have jumped a lot of hurdles so far, but the highest one still needs to be cleared. Finding the right publisher at the right time who is desperately seeking just the right product.(Mine)

Will I win the literary lottery? Who knows? But that tiny baby carrot of hope dangling just out of reach keeps me tied to the computer. Writing, writing, writing....a new poem, a short story, book two...





Still, I can't help but contemplate the realities of paying the bills.

If I were younger, smarter and prettier, I'd think about becoming a storm girl. You know, those gorgeous chicks dressed in CNN slickers, long hair blowing in the wind, that give us the best of the storm porn. Super Storm Sandy, Hurricane Irene, Tornado Alley. Shattered communities, ruined homes, devastated lives, who wouldn't admit to a touch of good old schadenfreude?











Or perhaps I should return to my roots?  Take up the practice of social work again? I did go so far as to bring my RSW status up to date and I have been trolling the mental health job sites for leads. It might be fun.

Maybe...










 On the other hand, I saw my first flying squirrel the other day. That must mean something...

No really...I mean it.

You don't see a flying squirrel every day.

Thoughts anyone?

The End!

Wow! After a journey that lasted more than two years, I have completed my first novel and can happily say, I have done so to the very best of my current ability.

I had no idea it would take this long, require so many revisions...er....let's be honest....not so much  revisions as a total re-writes.  

I had no clue that I would get the chance to work with the amazing editor, Becky Toyne, nor, that with a few strokes of her red pen, and a couple of brilliant suggestions, would help me to improve the final product more than I could have imagined.

Nor, did I imagine in my wildest dreams the support I would receive from so many amazing readers, each one of whom added another piece to the puzzle. The book is so much better because of each and every one of you.

And, Good Old Don Oravec! The ED of The Writer's Trust of Canada, who read the book, loved it, and recommended me to an agent. He called me a 'writer' and for the very first time, I allowed myself to believe that maybe people were not just being polite. Maybe I really was becoming a 'real' writer.

And, Anne McDermid, who sat across the table from me, and told me should had already picked out which actors would play the main characters in the TV series. Really?! Really??!!

After recalling the version I sent to Anne a couple of weeks ago in order to fix a few outstanding errors that I just couldn't let go, I finally sent off the final draft yesterday. (Of course, I sent it via email - but the Post Box just seemed more fitting in my Dumpy Grace accompaniment)

So, this is it. No more revising! No more nit-picking! No more thinking about Signy or Grace or the Tracker or The Line.

At least not until Dr. Solomon Smiles and his troubled wife, Lisa, compel me to scribble down their story. Who is Dr. Smiles? Is he a beloved 'doctor without borders', a caring husband, a loving father? Or, is he something far more sinister? And, who is his young wife, Lisa? Is she a modern day Eliza Doolittle, molded into her husband's idea of the perfect wife? Or, is she playing a twisted and deadly game of her own.

And, will Signy Shepherd, with the Tracker's help, be able to unlock their secrets in time to save her mentor and friend, Grace Holder, from an unimaginable fate?

 Oh dear....

Exit...Stage Left....See you next time!

.

Changes

It's been a long time since I last posted. I have had my head down, working on the revisions of Blown Red.

I'm happy to say that I have completed the re-write and the first read-through. I have identified the weak spots and will be working over the next few weeks to complete those changes.

I am amazed at how different the book has become. More of a thriller - less of a literary novel with dead people in it.

Still have no idea if it is a 'real' book, worthy of publication, but the journey has been incredible.

Still...change can be difficult.

Versatile Blogger Award Nominations

As I mentioned in my last blog (7 Random Things you might not know about Me) I was thrilled to be nominated for a Versatile Blogger Award  http://versatilebloggeraward.wordpress.com  by Monique Liddle.

Monique writes a fabulous blog: Bends in the Road – One Woman’s Journey through Life’s Turning Points.

Check it out at:   http://bit.ly/L4ziSr

The rules for accepting the award include posting 7 Random things you don't know about yourself - Done!

AND....

Passing on the love by nominating 15 blogs you feel deserve the award. Below, are 15 blogs that I enjoy for a variety of different reasons. Check them out!

Phyllis Writes Words  http://phylliswriteswords.wordpress.com/   Beautiful stories about family, life and love. Phyllis has also published a novel, Isla's Chance, available on Amazon.com

Sarah Nego Writes  http://www.sarahnego.blogspot.ca/    On the trials and tribulations of writing a novel.

A Jar of Fireflies http://www.ajaroffireflies.blogspot.ca/  If you are interested in flash fiction

Milk of moonlight  http://milkofmoonlight.wordpress.com/  A very cool site about poetry

Joy’s Book Blog     http://www.joyweesemoll.com/  A librarian writes about books. Very informative!

Catch a Star as it Falls  http://celestialgldfsh.livejournal.com/  Outstanding recipes anyone? Not to mention great writing!

Out Here in the Fields  http://kirkcrady.wordpress.com/  I love this blog on gardening. Gorgeous writing.

Joe Orozco – Musings of a Work in Progress   http://www.joeorozco.com/blog  Support for writers. Prompts, book reviews, reading suggestions

Susan Craig – Thought on Life, science, writing and more http://bysusancraig.wordpress.com/  I think this is a really cool mix of neurobiology and writing information.

You Know You’re Borderline When…     http://authorjaenwirefly.wordpress.com/  Presenting new and thoughtful ideas on BPD. One of the best sites on the subject in my humble opinion.

Latinapen  http://latinapen.blogspot.ca/  Writes about strong women characters on both sides of the law

Writeful Blogging  http://kendramerritt.com Kendra Merrit has an informative sight about the writing life. 

Finding Home    http://blyth.wordpress.com/   Eclectic musings from an aspiring novelist

Right Livliehood, Just Ventures  http://justventurescoaching.com/  A wonderful blog about change

Jasmine K Evans  http://jasminekevans.com/  A freelance writer shares helpful information in a clear and useful fashion

There are a couple of rules to follow before accepting the award:

1) Let people know you've won the award and post the link to the Versatile Blogger Award site, if you want.

2) Pay it forward by nominating 15 other cool and interesting bloggers for the award. Let them know you've nominated them by posting on their sites. (Personally, I think 15 is a pretty huge number - as far as I'm concerned just do your best with this one)

3) This is the fun part - when you acknowledge acceptance of the award in a post, be sure to include a list of 7 random things we might no know about you.

7 Random Things you don't know about Me

Many thanks to Monique Liddle for nominating me for the Versatile Blogger award!

Monique writes a fabulous blog: Bends in the Road – One Woman’s Journey through Life’s Turning Points.

Check it out at:   http://bit.ly/L4ziSr

Monique’s nomination came at a particularly tricky moment. I was deciding whether to continue my writing full time or try for a ‘real job’ thus, moving the writing to the back burner. Her support, along with many of my other writing friends, convinced me that it is far wiser to follow your heart.

Since then, my novel revisions have been proceeding well. I can see the light at the end of the tunnel and hope to have the revised copy to my agent within a month, or so.

Meanwhile, one of the rules for accepting the Versatile Blogger award is to create a list of Seven Random Things you might not know about me.

So here goes:

1   ONE: I was nine months old when I was adopted. I was in my thirties when I sought out my biological mother and experienced what proved to be a very interesting reunion. There is a very fascinating story here that I will share in more detail when I have time to do it justice.

 

     TWO:  I pretty much believe everything anyone tells me no matter how ridiculous. When I was a zoo keeper I took it as gospel when an older keeper warned me that if I grabbed a Wallaby’s tail too tightly it would twist off. As a result, I spent several fruitless hours allowing my Wallaby to slip through my fingers while everyone else laughed from the sidelines.

      THREE: Two glasses of wine and my face turns beet red… then I start talking and can’t shut up. 

      FOUR: I have always had a secret crush on Captain James T. Kirk. No man will ever compare to William Shatner in full Shakespearean mode, on the bridge of the Starship Enterprise.  (Sorry, Steve)

    

   


 FIVE: When I was eighteen years old, I had a mystical experience that I have never forgotten.  

      

         SIX: If I were stranded on a desert island I would put on an exquisite blue sari flecked with gold and dance to Bollywood music under the hot summer sun.  

7

    
SEVEN:  I blush at the drop of a hat. I think blushing is very cute when it happens to other people but I am horrified when I can’t control my own face.  I sometimes pretend to root about in fridges to hide the fact that I’m blushing again. 

Real Job vs. Writing?

I guess all writers come to a fork in the road. Should I grow up and get a real job or should I continue to pour my heart and soul into what, in all likelihood, will prove futile in the long run?

I have reached this fork (again!) and I'm torn.

There are many reasons why it makes sense to return to the world of mental health social work.

• I enjoy working with clients
• I enjoy working with peers
• I like the daily routine (sort of)
• I'd be starting in a new place and that would bring exciting new challenges
• I love the ongoing learning
• I like improving my skills
• I like the money (of course)

Most of all, I checked out the 'Working in Mental Health' website and found SEVERAL jobs posted that, not only do I qualify for, I would actually enjoy. That doesn't happen very often! The only thing missing was a part time option - all the posted positions were full time, which is the problem. Taking a full time job would seriously cut into my writing time and creativity.

Last week I turned down an interview request for an agency in Belleville. It was interesting but not nearly as exciting as these new positions.

On the FLIP side - I LOVE the writing lifestyle.

• I love improving my writing skills
• I enjoy the characters I've created
• I was able to get an agent
• I had my novel edited by a real pro and her feedback was very positive. She believes there is a popular series in the making if I can get all the components right.
• Although the chances remain extremely slim, there is still a faint possibility that this novel might go somewhere
• My agent loves the synopsis of my second book and is looking forward to seeing the revisions on the first
• We are managing financially for the time being
• On the downside, sometimes that internal voice in your head that reminds you that you will never be good enough can be very irritating. And some days, like today, the thought of spending another day at the desk, chopping and editing and re-writing is daunting. 

What to do?  What to do? What to do?

What Can An Editor Do For You?

A few days ago I was thrilled to receive the final report on my novel, Blown Red, from my editor, Becky Toyne You can find her at beckytoyne.com

It took her about three or four weeks to review the entire manuscript, a total of almost 120,000 words.

Despite the positive reviews from all my wonderful readers and my agent, Anne McDermid, I still had major misgivings. There were several significant areas where I thought the novel fell far short of the mark.

My biggest hope was that Becky would not pull any punches, that she would point out the weak parts and offer suggestions as to how they might be fixed.

The result was better than I could ever have hoped. She picked up on every crack, crevice and  loose end. Her comments were direct and to the point. She certainly pulled no punches and when the situation called for it, used humour to highlight a particularly funny plot mistake. (Like the heroine taking a long, soapy shower after coming home to find the man who has betrayed her sitting at her kitchen table. Only in slasher movies, as Becky so adroitly pointed out!)

The report was about seven pages long. She says this is a typical length. She addressed areas such as plot, character, timeline, pacing and technical details. She also provided a one page synopsis of her results written in a very straight forward yet supportive fashion. She also sent back the original manuscript with even more specific editorial  comments scattered throughout.

She gave me excellent insight into how a crime/thriller novel must be structured. The problem must be revealed in the first chapter and the protagonist must drive the action, chasing after a solution to the problem with the reader following breathlessly behind.

She pointed out how I had missed this opportunity - the real problem showed up way too late in the narrative and the heroine ended up reacting to events rather than proactively moving forward. I spent far too much time developing characters and not enough showing the characters solving puzzles and rushing toward a hair raising ending.

DING!! DING!! A bell went off in my head and the blinkers fell from my eyes. I could see EXACTLY what she was saying and where I had gone wrong. That one simple comment addressed all the weak areas that had been bothering me since the beginning. 

And best of all she concluded that I had everything I needed to fix the problem - I just needed to rearrange the sequence of events and spend less time try trying to change the tough heroine into a moody anti-hero or for that matter, a man in a dress. I needed to get out of her way and allow her to be the strong, volatile, quick thinking woman that she is. In order to do this I simply need to remove some of the showy scenes where I attempted to illustrate her inner misgivings, lack of self-esteem, etc and just 'tell' the reader how she is feeling always ensuring that she stays strong and effective in her actions.

Add a few more twists and turns to keep the reader guessing and voila! A Thriller is born.

I feel like I have made a great leap forward in terms of my writing skills and I think the book is going to be one hundred percent better as a result.

A good editor is a MUST. If I have any advice for budding authors it is to seek out the services of a good editor BEFORE sending your baby off to an agent, a publisher or the e-publishing world. Not only is your book more likely to sell but you will end up a better writer in the end and what could be better than that?

The one down side to this whole process?

The THIRD DRAFT!!    Waaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhh!!!!!!!!

 

In What Universe is this Fun?

It's 11:30am as I write this. Typically, I'd be well into whatever scene I was be working on. Instead, I am sitting back in my chair in shocked silence.

80,000 words into this second book and I have finally been forced to address three rather significant plot holes that I have known about for some time but was kind of hoping would resolve themselves in some miraculous way.

However, as I approach the thrilling finale and realize that it isn't really all that clever I know I'm going to have to take a step back and fill in those holes. Only that will allow the nail-biter of an ending to make sense. And as Anne McDermid advised, one ignores a clever plot at one's peril.

I put my thinking cap on, all the while trying to remember that everything has to fit with the theme of this book - How guilt and shame can distort perception and cause unnecessary suffering.

The first plot gap was coming up with a believable motivation for the evil actions of the main antagonist. So far his reasons were kind of weak and a little scattered but this turned out to be relatively easy to fix. In fact, I think I came up with a particularly brilliant idea.

The second involved getting rid of Maitland. I needed her to be unable to come to the rescue and the only way I could do that was to come up with a reason why Grace would decide to ask Signy to work on this case with her without telling Maitland. A little harder but definitely doable.

The third giant sinkhole was the question of why Signy would call on the Tracker for assistance when Grace disappears. She is trapped in the States, harboring a woman and a child who have just become the subjects of an Amber Alert. She knows Grace has gone to see the woman's husband and now Grace has disappeared. Why in God's name would she not reach out for Maitland's formidable assistance under these dire circumstances??

Not to mention that the Tracker is being stalked by an assassin, and when he rides to the rescue, unbeknownst to him he brings along a big stinking pile of trouble of his own.

That is when I sat back and freaked. It is all getting too COMPLICATED!

This book has turned out to be much more of a Grace and Signy show that I had intended and I wonder if the inclusion of the Tracker is detracting from their dynamic? And yet, it would be so much more interesting if Signy gets to reunite with her newly discovered brother. Besides,  I like the Tracker....

Heavy sigh....gulp...unfortunately, .I think that if I want this book to really crackle I am probably going to have to do a lot of new writing, a lot more cutting and even more re-writes.

Why am I doing this? In what universe is this fun?

What inevitably spurs me on is that I know that the solution is hiding just behind a half open door in the back of my mind. I realize that if I put my shoulder back to the grindstone I will find it and I'm certain that in the long run I will be happy that I put in the effort.

crap....

A Bit About Beats: What are story beats and how to use them?

I was on my third creative writing night class before I learned the concept of literary beats.If you've done a lot of reading you already have an inherent understanding of beats but if not, allow me to share how I've come to understand them.

Think of it this way. A book starts as an overall concept, with characters, plots, setting, etc. The writer then separates the novel in three or four acts. The acts are separated into chapters and the chapters into scenes. The scenes are subdivided even further into 'beats.'

A beat can be described as bubbles of action, of thought, of mood, which each contribute something to character or plot.

I'm going to take the concept even further - Beats can be used to break up dialogue into manageable chunks at the same time as contributing to character and plot.

For example, instead of having Major Reginald Entwhistle wax poetic on the indubitable glories of the English Garden for several paragraphs, the writer interrupts his paroxysm of flowery discourse with a timely action. He might thump his silver tipped cane on the wooden floor for emphasis, he might lean forward and pour a cup of tea or decant a fine claret.

If he is overcome with nostalgia as he recounts, blossom by blossom, the gardens of his youth, he might sigh, or dab at a teary eye. If he angered at the damage caused to his precious conservatory by local hooligans he might go so far as to fling his glass of port into the fire.

If we are so lucky as to be inside Major Entwhistle's head as he expounds on the fleeting nature of the English Rose, we might find ourselves privy to his innermost thoughts. These can reveal much about the good Major. Is he contemplating having a one off with the comely scullery maid? Maybe the handsome houseman? Or has he come to some judgmental conclusion about his hapless visitor based on the threadbare nature of the man's morning coat? Have his thoughts turned to murder?

In dialogue, at least, beats keep the words flowing at a natural rate. Stops, starts, hesitations, these not only serve to create a more realistic conversation but also break up the speech visually on the page. Beats make dialogue much easier to read.

The problem that I've encountered is keeping those beats fresh. I often find myself leaning on tried and true beats. She stood and stretched. He fiddled with his napkin. She checked her watch. He frowned, sighed, coughed, grimaced, smiled, grunted....you get the point.

Coming up with imaginative beats that are fun to read AND contribute to character and plot is not easy. Inventive, rich beats are something I will be watching for as I approach the daunting task of a second draft.

Beats will be a focus...along with enhancing character, plot improvements, adverb patrol...etc, etc, etc.

 Dumpy Grace stood, stretched her back and sighed.

Donning her silk top hat and tails she slipped into her scarlet dancing shoes.

As she painted on a smile she goosed the writing gods with her silver tipped cane.

"Knees up," they cried. "Get down to the beat." 

And poor old Dumpy, hustled and boogied and bobbed until there was nothing left but faded scuff marks on the floor and a second draft bulging with beautiful beats. 

And the story? 

It's smokin'

Doppelganger

 "Would you look at that," laughed the man. "With the exception of their physical dexterity and breath-taking athleticism, the plovers that dart along the water's edge bear an uncanny resemblance to Dumpy Grace."

Heavy sigh...


It could be worse...
 
 
The way the dastardly bathing suit clings to Dumpy Grace's ample form her animal doppelganger could just as easily have been a Manatee. 


Good thing the man didn't mention that. 

It's a long walk home. 
 

Dumpy Grace goes on vacation (Or how I learned to love writing horror)

Finally, the long awaited day arrived and we were off to Florida. We invited our two daughters along for the trip. Airmile points are a wonderful thing!

We decided to fly out of Buffalo instead of Toronto and the flight left at 7am so we booked a hotel for the night. Hoping to save money we 'bunked' with the girls in a room with only two double beds. With a husband who makes a habit of chainsaw level snoring that proved a bad decision all around.

Nevertheless, it had been a long day and by 11pm the lights were out and we all tried to make the best of it. By 11:15 the minor medical issue that I had been trying to ignore for the past 2 hours started to hammer away at my last nerve. Ouch...ignore...ooowwww....ignore....YIKES....ignore....Ah Jeeeezzzz.....

After waking the ever patient snoring man, we negotiated the dark streets of Tonawanda, NY searching for the local hospital. I've secretly always wanted to see Tonawanda since growing up with Eyewitness News on Channel 7 out of Buffalo. Every night Irv Weinstein would announce the latest devastating fire, almost always in Tonawanda. I expected to see a charred wasteland. Instead, we found a perfectly nice hospital and with little fanfare were ushered almost immediately into an ER bed not by a triage nurse but a security guard wearing a sidearm.

 Alrighty then.

A half hour later and we were out of there, prescription in hand. I can't imagine how long we'd have had to wait at a big city Canadian hospital at that time of night. 4 hours? 6 hours? 8? 

I'm not complaining. The one thing we wouldn't have to do in Canada is pay out of our pocket which is what we had to do in Buffalo.  Despite the fee, I was immensely grateful and if we took another hour and a half driving 10 miles to the nearest all night Walgreens then having to endure a punch drunk pharmacist who kept calling us Wacky Canadians - then so be it! It was worth it to know that I would not be trapped on the plane in a few hours forced to endure mind numbing agony.

By 2am we made it back to the hotel and fell into bed. The snoring started almost immediately but what could I do? The patient man had driven the streets of Tonawanda with me for the past several hours, his blood-red eyes literally hanging from the sockets.

I turned on my side and tried to sleep with very little success. At 4am I gave it up and went down to the breakfast area where hysterical early morning show anchors shared the latest celebrity gossip.

Not to be outdone, the bleery-eyed front desk clerk pumped up the volume on a cartoon show she was watching behind the counter.

BRUTAL!!


With an early morning flight to catch the rest of the crew woke at 5:45 am and before long had joined me at the breakfast bar. A hurried piece of toast and we all piled into the shuttle that would take us to the Buffalo International Airport.

I had painted my toenails a particularly noxious colour of Barbie pink and as we exited the shuttle my oldest daughter caught sight of them for first time. Haha! She pointed and laughed and promptly fell flat on her face, twisting her ankle. It almost immediately began to swell. Thoughts of a return visit to the ER flashed through my head.

Luckily, after several tense minutes she felt well enough to sit propped in a wheelchair.

The good news? We were able to bypass the long security line, her wheelchair having to pass through a much shorter special needs access line.

And she boarded first along with her nurse sister, saving us a couple of seats in the fully packed plane.

Bonus.



We arrived at Orlando airport after a short and pleasant flight then picked out a nice SUV from the rental car line-up. Used to being crammed into sub-compact cars the girls were thrilled with the extra leg room

Good thing, too, because the ever patient snoring man had insisted on bringing his GPS. Although the closest airport is Fort Lauderdale we had flown into Orlando because on the way back the girls wanted to visit Harry Potter World at Universal Studios. The resultant 2.5 hour drive would be well worth it the girls declared and the patient man didn't mind if it meant he got to use his GPS.

The minute the GPS directed us north from Orlando instead of south I sensed a problem. "Trust me," said the patient man, "this baby has never let me down." Without a good old fashioned paper map on hand to double check the route I sat back and kept my mouth shut.

2.5 hours later, when we should have been rolling into our resort we started seeing signs for Orlando again.

"It's probably just another route up to Orlando," declared the nervous but still patient man.

"Oh, ya?" said the impatient and rapidly overheating me, "How come it says the next 4 exits lead to Orlando?"

"There must be four highways back up there!" cried the shocked man.

Fishing out a thumbnail map of Florida on the back of the rental car agreement I pointed out that the GPS had taken us north to Daytona Beach then back down again to Orlando. We were starting from scratch.

"Stupid GPS!" shouted the angry man.

I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths. I really, really wanted to way "I told you so..." In the end, I sealed my lips and hummed a few bars of Camptown Races. For some reason that always soothes me.

Six hours after arriving in Orlando we finally made it to our lovely resort. We inherited a one week time share and enjoy the quiet setting on the beach. The efficiency apartments are older but well kept. At the last minute we sprung for a second unit so the girls didn't have to sleep on a pull out couch in our unit. It seemed fitting that the unit they were given had been recently renovated including a brand new DVD player, soaker tub and stainless appliances.  Ours retained its old world, 1960's charm.

Still, we were in Florida and the sun was shining! The temperature was nearing 30 degrees Celsius and the sound of the waves on the shore was hypnotic. A quick slather of sunscreen and off we went for a a walk on the beach.

 Turned out that slap dash of sunscreen wasn't quite enough...

















And when we got back to the room I checked my email only to find out that our dog, which my sister had graciously agreed to look after was not feeling all that well. My sister is a fastidious housekeeper and while she had expected the shedding hair she had not bargained for the rest of it.

Herein ends the tale of my first day of vacation.

I'll keep you posted if it gets any more interesting.

Feedback from my Agent on Canadian Crime and Thriller Novels

I just had a very interesting chat with my agent, Anne McDermid. She recently spent more than a month in the U.K. and spoke to many agents and publishers about crime and thriller novels coming out of Canada.

The feedback was very interesting. Apparently, Canadian authors tend to get far too literary, focussing on character development and gorgeous descriptions to the detriment of plot. The consensus is that the reader has to know within the first few chapters what the book is going to be about so they can decide whether they care enough to read on. After that, plot is paramount although personally, I think a purely plot driven book is dull. I have to care about the characters and Anne agreed. I guess the challenge is to ensure the novel achieves that fine balance between plot and character.

Given that info - I know that I have too much character development near the beginning of the book. The inciting incident occurs when Signy is invited by Grace to join the Underground Railway but that doesn't happen until several chapters into the book. I spend a lot of time at the beginning with Signy's character development and I wonder if that could be cut back?

Anne also said that too many subplots could be detrimental - that the average thriller reader wants a straight forward story that may be full of twists and turns but is easy to follow. I'm not sure where I fall in terms of that. The main character, of course is Signy but I also delve quite heavily into subplots involving the Tracker and Grace/Kim. I'm sure these could be cut back somewhat but I wouldn't want to get rid of either subplot. I like a series where peripheral characters develop slowly over time.

Finally, Anne said that there is some debate as to whether the protagonist must be 'likeable'. She says that often male protagonists can get away with being unlikeable but female protagonists much less so. She used the Girl with the Dragon Tattoo as an example of one of the few unlikeable female protagonists. The problem for me with Lisbeth Salander was not that she wasn't likeable - in fact, I quite liked her. The problem for me she was she was a cardboard superhero. Like the square-jawed, good at everything, gorgeous detective with a heart of gold I find any character who is amazing at everything they do (despite a horrifically traumatic childhood) to be unbelievable and inevitably, dull.

I much prefer a character like Barbara Havers (from Elizabeth George's Inspector Thomas Lynley) series who starts off as abrasive, unattractive and socially awkward and evolves slowly over time. I find that type of character far more interesting to get to know. I used the Elizabeth George series as a guide in terms of POV, etc. Rather than stick with one POV, she allows each main character to take a POV when they are starring in any given chapter. In this way, she allows for subplots to develop. Over time, I found that while Thomas Lynley may still be the star of the show - Barbara Havers and Thomas's best friend have taken their fair share of the limelight. I wanted my series to evolve that way, as well. In the first several I would focus on Signy but over time I might give Grace or even the Tracker a starring role.

The best news is that Anne said that even without edits my novel is meeting most of the required standards which puts me way ahead of the pack. She also said that publishers are primarily interested in a series and it is much easier to sell the first two books rather than be able to offer only one. With the first draft of my second novel almost in the can I have met that milestone, as well.

Anne said that she will wait until I have my edits complete on Blown Red and a synopsis of Book Two (working title - Telltales) before continuing to put the series out there for sale. She did leave it with a couple of British reps and two more Americans and said she'd certainly call if she gets any good news from them but for now - I'm to concentrate on getting that second book finished.

Sounds positive, doesn't it??

Writing Violence: Too Much of a Good Thing?

It often takes me days of procrastination before I work myself up to tackling a violent scene. In my current book I have several scenes of torture and a couple of fight scenes during the climax. I wrote the torture early on, one scene after the other.

Writing for me is a very visual process. I sit for awhile with my eyes unfocussed until I see the scene play out in front of me. I watch my characters act out their parts and listen to the words they say and then I write it all down.

As you can imagine, if a character is suffering at the hands of another it can be quite disturbing even if there is no sexual violence involved. I have a particular fear of gruesome medical procedures so my inspiration is easy to come by. Make the bad guy a doctor and voila, instant horror.

Don't kid yourself...

Violence is shocking 

It's Red and Bloody...

Not Fifty Shades of Grey.

Pain and Suffering

is not romantic...

And it is not easy to write


That being said, when I get on a violent roll? Look out. I wrote 3000 brutal words today. The big fight scene near the end of the book. Lots of hand to hand combat, knife play and choking. The weird thing is it was easy. Flowed out of me like water from a fountain. Turned out pretty well, too. 

Is that weird?

I dunno. What I do know is that I am glad to be going to Florida in a few days. Escape the strange world of Doctor Solomon Smiles and his experimental burn treatments. Yikes! Take a few days off from Jack Heller,
the aging hitman who just doesn't know when to leave well enough alone but especially Signy, who finds herself smack dab in the middle of it all every time. 

Del Boca Vista - Here I come. A little creeped out and ready for some good, clean, sunny fun. Leave the computer at home and break out the blue wigs and the sensible shoes. Time to party!

  
 Here's hoping nothing horrible follows me there...


Out there on the wing of the plane, watching, waiting, chuckling...


Sharp little teeth dripping with gore...


Mwahahahaha.....
 

Grants for Writers in Canada - Top 5 Websites

As you may know from a previous post, I quit my lucrative social work career to concentrate on writing. I can say unequivocally that I have never regretted my decision.That being said, the loss of a steady income does create challenges as I outlined in a previous post, Buddy, Can you spare a dime? http://dumpygrace.blogspot.ca/2012/04/for-those-of-you-who-have-read-my-older.html

Luckily, my son, Andrew has also embarked on an artistic life and is currently taking a sound engineering course in Vancouver, BC.  He told me the other day that he learned that the Canadian government has a number of grants available for artists, including writers. He suggested I take a look online to see what kind of support might be out there for struggling writers.
 

I'm sure there are many other assistance programs but here is my list of the Top 5 websites for the more lucrative creative writing grants offered in Canada.

1) The Canada Council for the Arts http://www.canadacouncil.ca/grants/writing/ri127227329682968750.htm offers a creative writing grant that gives Canadian authors (emerging, mid-career and established) time to write new literary works, including novels, short stories, poetry, children’s and young adults’ literature, graphic novels, exploratory writing and literary non-fiction. Check out the site for the general criteria. English language applicants must apply by October 1. French language deadline is April 1. 

2) The Personal Grants in Ontario website http://grants.ca/personal-grants/writing-grants/ has a wealth of information about provincial and national writing grants including Works in Progress Grant offered in Ontario that offers up to $12,000 to professional writers to assist in the completion of a book length project of literary merit. In British Columbia, assistance is available for Project Assistance and Touring Initiatives.

3) Check out the proofpositive.com website http://www.proofpositive.com/grants/canadian-writers-grants.htm for an even more comprehensive lists of public and private support for Canadian writers. This list includes grants offered by most of the provinces as well as links to other grant websites. It also offers links to grant-writing assistance websites.

4) The Writer's Union of Canada http://www.writersunion.ca/ww_twucpublications.asp offers a Writer's Guide to Grants. You have to pay for the guide and I'm not sure how current it is but it may worth checking out. 

5) The Writer's Trust of Canada http://www.writerstrust.com/Programs.aspx was originally created by five notable Canadian authors — Margaret Atwood, the late Pierre Berton, Graeme Gibson, the late Margaret Laurence, and David Young — to encourage a flourishing writing community in this country.
From their website I learned that  Canadian writers receive more financial support from the Writers’ Trust of Canada than any other non-governmental organization or foundation in the country. Annually, the organization provides almost half a million dollars directly to a group of approximately 100 writers.

Five program streams support Canadian writers:

• Canada’s largest privately-funded collection of literary awards
• A one-of-a-kind grant for creators facing unforeseen financial need
• Canada’s most significant writers’ retreat
• A scholarship program open to emerging writers
• An annual lecture series that details the development of the national writing 

So - as you wait for your fabulous book, short story, magazine article, play or screenplay to hit the big time - check out these sites. They might just help keep the wolf from the door.

I'm in the money!

And life is sunny! 

Tips for Writing Suspense

I have written the first thriller in what I hope evolves into a series that stands the test of time. As I approach the climactic finish line of the second book I find myself in the unenviable position of trying to create a nail-biting roller coaster ride that does not end in a calamitous train wreck.

To that end I once again took some time to review the techniques I use to create suspense. I know there are many books and even more websites that will give you comprehensive writing advice but these are the elements that I try to keep front and center in my mind as I write a first draft.

1) Read a ton of suspense and thriller books. There is nothing like the power of osmosis to help you gain a feel for what makes a suspense filled scene. I have read hundreds if not thousands of suspense novels since I first learned how to read - starting with the incomparable Nancy Drew. The lessons I've learned have proved invaluable.

2) Make sure your protagonist is strong enough to carry the book without being a cliche. Try to stay away from square jawed hero cops with hearts of gold who can kick ass with the best of them, disarm a nuclear device without breaking a sweat and have gorgeous women hanging off them in droves. *yawn...boring!*  A truly interesting protagonist will be a complex person with a mix of flaws, foibles and strengths.

3) Take that flawed character and thrown him or her into a brand new situation then sit back and see what happens. That initial challenge MUST be thrilling enough that readers simply have to know what happens.

4) Don't use a cliff-hanger at the end of every chapter. A couple of times is okay but if you over-do this technique the reader gets bored if not down right irritated.

5) Throughout the book mention little things that the reader thinks might come back to haunt the protagonist later in the book. For example, the letter that slips down behind the dresser, the loaded gun in the closet, the laundry chute just big enough for a small girl. Nothing keeps the tension ratcheted up like the thought that the poor little toddler might be thrown down the chute into the dank basement where a nest of giant spiders wait patiently, fangs dripping with poison.

6) Throw in the odd red herring just to keep things interesting for the reader. For example, mention in passing that a person of interest wanted in the crime went to university at the University of Arizona then make one of the victims a former resident of Arizona. In the end this connection amounts to nothing but it serves to get the reader rushing down the wrong path.

7) Ensure the action flows up and down in intensity. I once read a book where every scene was mind bending action full of nail-biting tension. I never had a chance to catch my breath. I didn't finish the book.

8) Reading about a bunch of cardboard cutouts no matter how suspenseful the plot leaves me flat. Make sure to spend as least as much time on character development as you do on plot.

9) As the novel approaches the climax I make use of a shorter scene structure. Each scene must tell a story, with a beginning, a middle and an end but as the final disaster looms I make these little scenes short and choppy, like a terrified child unable to catch her breath as the spiders attack.

If you follow these suggestions, the reader will be swept away by your story, aware only of the sound of the pages turning faster and faster and faster....

Buddy can you spare a dime?

For those of you who have read my older posts you know that I received some invaluable assistance from Don Oravec, executive director of the Writer's Trust of Canada.  http://www.writerstrust.com/ In addition to a lot of great info about the publishing industry he filled me in on some of the realities of the writer's life, including the financial struggles.

Indeed, chronic lack of funding is why the Writer's Trust was originally founded by several iconic Canadian writers - to provide financial assistance to struggling writers. Don made it very clear that no one should pursue writing as a full time career if they are unable to pay the bills in some other way.

My agent, Anne McDermid, said much the same thing. She gave me the lowdown on how little income a published book actually brings into the author and that with the advent of e-publishing the returns are even worse. She passed on some rough figures with the caveat that every single case is different and you never know what might happen. But, in general - a decent selling book in Canada, one that might even have appeared on a few award lists, could bring the author no more than $7,000 to $20,000.

She said that unless the book is a runaway best seller in Canada (a very rare occurrence) those are the kind of numbers to expect. She did say that if the book is picked up by an American publisher and has a decent run in the U.S. those numbers will be much better. However, the chances of that happening are also very slim.

From older posts you might also be aware that I left a well paying career to pursue this writing dream. I am lucky to have a working spouse who covers the bills but our lifestyle has changed. With three adult children requiring money from time to time things can get pretty tight.

What to do?  What to do?

Along with about a billion other people on the planet I am learning the art of blogging with the hope that eventually, I might earn a little supplemental income. Just enough to keep my stomach securely down in my abdominal cavity and not up in my throat whenever I open my online bank account.

Dumpy Grace is proving to be an excellent learning ground. With sites like Problogger http://www.problogger.net/  and Robert Brewer's My Name is Not Bob http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.ca/ I am picking up new skills and ideas on how to grow and promote a blog.

Will I be one of the lucky ones that launches a lucrative blog? I have no idea. Meanwhile, I continue to learn all sorts of techy things I never thought I'd manage, I'm connecting with other writers and living life on the edge.

What could be better?

I dunno? Perhaps a lottery win?

How to Handle the Pressure of Social Media

Day 12 of Robert Lee Brewer's Platform Challenge and  the social media pressure just keeps on building.

Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, StumbleUpon, URL shortening, Linking websites...well, you get the idea.

As I mentioned in my last post, The Perils of Social Media, the time spent can be overwhelming although I'll admit I'm learning useful skills.

Check this out! This is the URL for the post I just mentioned:   

 http://www.blogger.com/blogger.g?blogID=3452135858490893237#editor/target=post;postID=3976601648716689391

I learned how to shorten it using bit.ly.   The URL now looks like this:

 http://bit.ly/IMUurO

As cool as that is I found that keeping up with the techno Jones' was putting a crimp in my novel writing style.

For me, it is important to stick to Elizabeth George's strict rule. Get cracking first thing in the morning and don't come up for air until you've completed your word count for that day. If that takes two hours - great. If it takes six hours - then so be it.

In school I always felt less guilty if I got my work done before I made time for friends and I guess this is the same thing.

The less guilt the better strategy works for me.  Only when I complete my word count  can I can dig into the platform challenge, check my FB, peek in on Twitter, etc.

If my solution seems too 'goody two shoes' for you check out the links below. Three totally different sites giving three totally different takes on how to manage social media time.

http://bit.ly/HBrwwL  The Three T's of Social Time Management by Robert Larson

http://bit.ly/HP8vlb 18 minutes a day to Social Time Management by Lisa Buyer

http://bit.ly/HDZVft   Robert Lee Brewer's Time Management Ideas.

The Perils of Social Media

I am participating in Robert Lee Brewer's April Platform Challenge.   http://robertleebrewer.blogspot.ca/2012/04/april-platform-challenge-day-7.html

It is really pretty cool. The object is to develop your own platform. (Ya - I didn't know what that was, either) The best way I can describe it is as a physical platform like a soap box, on which you stand loud and proud and declare yourself to the world.

Developing a platform means joining social media sites like Facebook and Twiiter and LinkedIn. It means sharing your writing through online media sites like blogs.

All that is well and good. After some technical glitches (what the heck is html code?)  I was able to figure out how to get myself out there using all these resources. So far, so good.

But, the next step is a LOT harder. It involves surfing the web, seeking out other writers, reading their blogs, Twitters, Facebooks, Linkendns, etc, etc., then making comments and sharing what you like on your own blog, Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin, etc. 

On the plus side, I have hooked up via all these sites with some pretty awesome writers and that is amazing! No doubt about it - the networking and the sharing of ideas is helpful. It is exciting to know that there are other writers out there toiling away in the wilderness.

But, as Pinteresting as all this is, it is also nerve-wracking. On Twitter you are expected to compose short, pithy statements several times a day then send them out for all to read. And even though you are pretty sure no one is going to read your 'hilarious' observations, you worry that you sound stupid. (Actually, you KNOW you sound stupid)

And finding the time to keep up? Impossible!

The tweets just keep pecking and pecking and pecking. (I had to disable the new tweet alert on my phone. Whenever that little bell trilled I was starting to salivate and that just felt wrong.)

And, when I read one blog I just had to read more... and more... and more. They are so good - I learn so much from great writing.

And the pics? Aaaahhhhh....so many cute pussy cats and ponies and babies. You'd have to be a psychopath to resist.

What to do? 

What to do? 

Any thoughts??

Show Don't Tell - Too Much of a Good Thing?

I subscribe to the International Thriller Writer's webzine, The Big Thrill http://www.thebigthrill.org/

In the last issue there was an interview with Lee Child, whom, I was not surprised to discover is one of the world's most popular authors, with over 50 million books sold.

The most heartening thing he had to say was that his 'overnight success' was nothing but. He had several books published before one of them finally caught on. He spoke about the discouraging book tours where only two or three people might show up for a book signing and how important it is to persevere no matter what. (I also read a recent interview with Ann Tyler - who said the same thing. It took her ten years before her overnight success exploded)

Child also spoke about the rules of writing. He had some interesting things to say about the sacrosanct 'Show, don't tell' rule. He believes that writers waste far too many words 'showing' when they should just be telling the darn story. He thinks that an over-emphasis on pretty words dilutes the narrative.

I've been thinking about that a lot this week. I devote a lot of effort to ensuring that I show, don't tell. In fact, Anne McDermid told me that my capacity for subtlety is one of the things she appreciated about Blown Red. I think it gives the reader credit for some intelligence if the author does not lay all their cards on the table.

That being said - I agree that showing can go way too far. How many times are readers forced to skip through reams of poetic prose because in the ecstasy of all those beautiful words the author forgot about the story?

Still - it is a fine balance. Child says if a guy is tall and lean - just say so. And yet, isn't is far more interesting to show those attributes? For example,  'With a faded seersucker jacket clinging to his bony shoulders, the guy looked more like a coat rack than a cop.' Okay - maybe not that bad....but you get the point.

Today I will be working on a piece of dialogue - the reunion of Grace and Kim. There will be anticipation and hope and love and angst. The challenge will be to show all those emotions without beating the reader over the head with a flowery stick.

The things we must endure for art!

Falling Down on the Job

I've been remiss again in the writing department. Life has interfered. Nothing major - just the annual birthday extravaganza of my number one fan.

It's been a whirlwind celebration starting with the biggest surprise of all, the fact that I actually remembered his birthday at all this year.

Thank heavens we're on the same page when it comes to forced merrymaking. Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, New Year's Eve? Bleh!

It was two weeks in the past before either of us remembered our 25th wedding anniversary! In fact, I'm not 100% sure of the exact date. I know it was a chilly day in January....? 

Whatever....

I do, however, take any opportunity to bake a cake. On Monday, we had a pre-birthday tester cake, just to make sure I had the recipe just right. On Wednesday, I did it all again with extra icing. On Friday, we just had to make sure that a vanilla cake might not be better than chocolate. (It wasn't)

And then on his actual birthday, we had a huge, spicy pumpkin pie slathered with whipped cream.

Happy Birthday to a true rebel!

What makes a Writer?

This morning I woke up very early. 

I had an idea for a brilliant piece of dialogue. 

But, it was gorgeous outside and the sun was shining...


All I wanted to do was get up, read the paper, drink copious amounts of coffee then go outside and play.

 But, if I went outside to play I would probably forget my brilliant piece of dialogue.

So, on this gorgeous, sunny day, I hunched over my computer and tapped out my word count.



ONLY then...did I put on my hiking boots and go out to play.

We're cutting a trail through the forest and down to the river. 

 It's gonna be awesome when it's done.









Yup! I think it's official. Today I am a writer!