The harsher the critique - the better

I recently revisited old critiques of my first novel - it was difficult to re-read. I remember them very differently than when I first read them. I remember one editor telling me that she wished I spent more time with my secondary characters; however, I thought she wanted to see more of them because they were such interesting characters. Boy was I wrong. After revisiting her notes, she wanted me to revisit them to work on them because they were so indistinctive. By spending more time on the characters, I could develop their personalities beyond just physical appearance.

It is so important to get as much feedback as possible - even when it is difficult to hear. But it will make your work better. Watching the Oscars last weekend, I thought to myself how many Oscar winners worked so long and so hard  and received such heavy criticism only to help them become the successful people they are today. I want to embrace every difficult, harsh, mean feedback there is out there. I want to be better. I hope I can accomplish that. I know my first novel is not great, but it is ok. Who can say that there first attempt at anything was successful. Maybe a marginal few can but most of us can't. I embrace my faults and I can work on them to make a better novel. I can never re-write Bound, it's my first novel. All I can do is make Hearthstone and all that follows better.

What’s in a name?

I am very particular when it comes to selecting names for my characters. I research the history and roots of the name while considering character type, personality, and fate. I love it when writers pay attention to the little details when naming their characters that goes above and beyond, adding depth and meaning.

I keep a list of good names on my phone that I come across in newspapers or online. A name should ignite an image that you can work with, building up on their physical features, personality, and actions that can either be predictable or unpredictable – your choice, you are their creator.

Here are some websites that can help with naming characters and places.

Behind the Name
Seventh Sanctum
Fantasy Name Generator

A new year... a new path

Happy New Year!

First, I would like to thank everyone who has supported me in the last few years. It has been a long journey and many lessons learned. But 2014 is going to be a big year for me, I feel it. My resolutions are mostly the same as many others: loose a couple of pounds, focus on health, and a new positive outlook on life. I've also committed to some life changing experiences that are not only going to impact every part of my life but also come with a welcome package of utter fear and complete lunacy.

I won't divulge anymore but it will no doubt appear in future postings.

Where I live darkness descends arounds 4:45pm and it is 5min past that. I wish everyone a wonderful new year, health & happiness, and a year full of adventures and happy memories.

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas

It's that time of year we give thanks to our loved ones and sing and be merry.

Gifts, parties and grand feasts all week long.

We are reminded of the importance of kindness and charity.

And finally, winter is upon us and for so many without power this Christmas you are in my prayers.

Artifacts made to inspire

Many years ago I was visiting the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. In the geology exhibit, a special gem and jewellery exhibit was on display and it was there I was inspired to create one of my characters for my upcoming book Hearthstone. A crown (seen below) with a large tanzanite gemstone set in a white gold crown accented with small round diamonds and emeralds made to look like a snake wraps around the wearers head.

The shape and design of the crown evokes something mythical... even evil. In Hearthstone, this crown is more than just a crown... it posses the wearer giving them power.

I do wonder where the crown is now, would like to see it again in person once more.

breakfast for champs... or writers

I've always been envious of those food blogs with their glamorous photos of food... here is my attempt at capturing a healthy breakfast I made for myself the other day - poached eggs, toasted rye bread, greek yogurt with blackberries and a yummy cup of coffee. Maybe not so glamorous but a good effort. 

it's been a year already....

It dawned on me the other day that Bound's one-year anniversary was in September. I cannot believe I forgot - too pre-occupied with other nonsense. Nevertheless, it's still not too late to raise a drink to an author's first book. I would like to thank everyone who has been part of this wonderful journey. The reviews, the cover designer, the blog posts, and most importantly everyone who purchased the novel - thank you for your wonderful support. I look forward to the next instalment - I promise to work diligently to complete Hearthstone.

For all other authors celebrating their first published novel, I salute you. And if you are struggling to get your first book out, don't give up, the reward for completing your first work is beyond sublime.

To purchase Bound, click here.

Days of the Dead

It is a dark and somber time as people light candles on the tombs of loved ones. Prayers to save the souls of many lost between heaven and hell echo on the wind . Darkness is here once more, relentless and unmerciful. The gusts of wind blow away leaves clearing the canvass for winter's touch.

Image: Holger Motzkau 2010

Autumn is finally here

Thanksgiving was a week ago (for us here in Canada) and now the air is getting a little cooler and the days significantly shorter. I love the changing seasons, it wouldn't feel right if there was no natural end to the summer.

Quick Update:
I haven't been doing much work for my novel or blog as I am having some health issues - acute tendonitis in my right arm (my dominate arm). It is an unpleasant feeling but I will be starting physiotherapy and accupunture this week and that should start healing my arm. In the meantime, I am taking it easy but I can still use the old pen and paper to jot down ideas and notes.

Writing the first chapter hook

Now on my third revision of Hearthstone, I seem to be channeling some of the important lessons I’ve learned over the summer. I spent the last three months taking a break from writing my second book to enjoy the short summer weather (a good thing too since now it’s already coat and gloves season here in Toronto) and to just clear my head. A part of this “clearing of my head” I read a few books, some long novels and some short stories. Most were very good, and a very few were difficult to finish. One of my takeaways from this experience was that a good novel always has a good first chapter – it is the hook. Obvious and self-explanatory but yet we writers always forget because we are so wrapped up in our own minds that we do not see the story the same way as our readers.

The first chapter must have the following elements:

1) Introduction of both the hero and heroine
2) The start must be at some pivotal point of thought or action
3) The end of the chapter should be open ended or the tipping point of an action that will cause the reader to continue to the next chapter to learn what will happen

General guidelines include:

- Keep it simple, keep it real
- Don’t introduce too many characters right away
- Don’t get bogged down on frivolous details unless it is your style of writing and it will be consistent throughout

Happy writing!

Hearthstone Revisited

After taking some time off this summer, I was able to return to working on Hearthstone (Bloodlust #2) with a renewed sense of confidence. I started reading what I had written and to my surprise I was deeply disappointed with the work thus far. The characters are there, the scenes set, the plot laid out... but something was missing. So after re-evaluating the story I came to a decision to re-work the entire thing from the beginning. Re-jigging chapters and events, introduce characters at different points, and re-visit the DNA of the two main characters. I want the tale to be epic but not long or drawn out, the characters passionate, and transport the reader into a world that is much like our own but very very different. I hope to impress and please and never disappoint.

death by allergies

This August is by far the worst in all my life. It’s like having a head cold that won’t go away. There is some medication that helps but nothing can make it disappear completely. It’s even clouded my mind – I can’t think straight. I am in need of some miracle.

dog days of summer

Enjoying what is left of summer, I spent the first weekend of August up north at Georgian Bay. A typical summer retreat for us city folks that I actual dread doing because I don't have a place to call my own up north so I am stuck spending the weekend at someone else's boat or cottage. It is not worth renting as prices are astronomical during this time of year, so I endure as much as I can. On the flip side, I got a chance to bring my telescope and enjoy a starry night sky with no moon. It was a vision of beauty and magnificence. My goal was to see Scorpius, a summer constellation soon to leave us. The heart of the Scorpion is the star Antares - a fiery ball of gas with hues of orange and red, hence it is the heart of the Scorpion. In my next book, Hearthstone, the main heroine is Antara, named after Antares. You can only guess what kind of personality and power this woman will have if named after the heart of the Scorpion.

Juggling two lives

It is a challenge when one must maintain two lives, both necessary for each other’s survival. There is my day job – the demanding grind to and from downtown Toronto to work hard all day dealing with people, attending meetings, and to get a paycheck. This paycheck keeps my family alive and well fed, a roof over our heads, cats are comfy, and enjoy the simplicities of life. I have health benefits that go a long way since my husband does not have any. Bottom line – I have to work. And finding a well paying job is difficult, so I hold on to mine. I don’t work in the publishing industry. I did dabble in marketing but it got me nowhere. The book publishing industry in Toronto is small and there are many like myself hoping to get one foot in the door. There are lots of internships, but they include a 3-4 month commitment, full time hours, and a lousy honorarium - great for a student.

The other life – writing. I can’t do it without the security of my day job or I would be spending all my time looking for a job if I did not have one so no time for writing. And I would be miserable at my day job if I did not endlessly pursuit my dream. So I continue to work hard and dream big.

a wonderful day... and it is a full moon

I was so happy to hear this morning that Baby Cambridge is on its way. I wish Kate & Will a healthy and joyous birth of their first child. Since bets are on for gender and name - I say it will be a girl and her name Victoria. No matter the gender/name, I will be having a shot of Glenfarclas when the announcement is made at Buckingham Palace.

As for the baby's astrological sign, it could be a Caner or a Leo depending when it is born (today or tomorrow). It is also a full moon tonight. The universe is lined up for this child's birth.

update

My plan to avoid writing to give myself some r&r time was futile. It is in my blood to write so I dabbled. A way to release bottled up emotions, I guess. Many don’t care for my writing and many would not call me an artist (ya, I’m talking to you one star) but I am constantly creating new ideas, characters, plot, and new worlds if not on paper then in my own mental notes in hopes that one day I can release it to the world. I started a new compilation, far from my Bloodlust Series, and not a genre I would expect myself ever to delve into. It is a short story and somewhat autobiographical. I might even publish it under a pseudonym – haven’t made up my mind yet. It is dark, sad, and not sure how it will end.

Summer Blackouts

I was one of the many people affected by the torrential storm that hit Toronto and area on Monday. Mind you, I slept through the whole thing since I was home with a bad cold. I woke up in gloomy grey darkness and a heat that was difficult to breath. I wandered my house trying to surmise what the hell was going on. My husband was not home and the street seemed eerily vacant. The hot air was due to my ac not working because the power was out – and my cats disappeared somewhere in the walls of the basement. In the midst of flooding roads, overflowing street drains, and the grumbling heavens, I found solitude in the darkness.

Opening the windows to allow a cool misty draft offered some relief from the heat. Candles glowed on table tops and shelves. And a Moroccan style lantern cascaded geometrical patterns onto the bathroom walls and floor. Without the TV or Internet, I had no idea what was going on with the outside world but the feeling of the unknown was new to me and fear slowly bubbled up but quickly turned into a sense of freedom. I was happy to not have electricity for a short time – never long term. I wondered why I did not do this more often, turn off the lights, shut off the TV, simply unplug. My thoughts trailed off to how people once lived without modern luxuries, what did they do with their free time, if they had any? I felt transported and not myself – I welcomed the feeling. Or it was all the cold medication I ingested a couple hours earlier.

My husband soon returned home safely and unaffected by the weather and complained about the TV not working. We lounged on the bed with not much to do since I was sick so luckily for him, and my insanity, the laptop was fully charged and we watched the first two episodes of Game of Thrones Season One. Now I have a new obsession.

Scotland

Back in May I spent 5 days in Scotland with my husband. Here are some of our pictures from our favourite spots.

Edinburgh Castle

Sunset in Edinburgh

Wallace Monument, Stirling

Lavender Harvest

Early this morning I collected some of the first lavender blossoms from my garden. So excited, can't wait for them to dry so I can hang them in my bathroom.

The changing face of the antagonist

They are the bread and butter of our novels – without the antagonist, be it a person, being, natural event, it is not a story unless we as writers give it breath of life. But things are changing.

I was reading a story online about how characters in film are grossly misunderstood – the recognition that antagonists have mental issues. What was seen as a way to create the edgy and unpredictable villain, we are now looking at ways to help them. Be it bipolar, depression, schizophrenia, anything goes but to victimize them and portray them as anything but evil is now drawing frowns and the typical finger wagging to say that it is unacceptable and politically incorrect. Did someone just call HR?

So next time when you have to decide if your hero or heroine will wield a sword in defense against evil or not, consider having them pass the villain a tissue box and say, “Let’s talk... what’s really going on inside. I’m here to help.” Don’t forget to add the anguished expression with crumpled brows that expresses heightened levels of empathy and forgiveness.

Don’t get me wrong – mental issues are a serious and neglected health concern. I battle depression on a daily basis along with anxiety. Trust me, my social skills are pathetic and underdeveloped (thanks mom and dad) so my poor husband has to deal with my constant need to hide under the covers and avoid the world. Many suffer far worse in silence. My point is that you cannot stray from human complexity that includes the many layers of mental issues when it comes to creating characters with whom we are to relate to on some level or another – and sometimes they will hold similar traits as those we know so well, ourselves.