For years I doubted whether I’d ever be able to write a book – not for lack of talent or ideas, but because I am an extrovert. All the books I’d ever read about becoming an author said the same thing: be prepared to sit in a room all day long, by yourself. Personally, I can’t think of anything less interesting and more to the point, who wants to read
… often go awry. Oh Steinbeck, how right you are! Yep, I’m a bit behind on the book (which is why I haven’t posted much this past week). Serves me right for starting a blog and my vacation in the woods with four kids, all on the same day. Nonetheless, I should be back on schedule soon and posting regularly again. In the meantime, for my fellow writers (in Canada),
You’ve heard the saying “there are no small roles, only small actors.” Well, I argue the same is true of characters. We’ve all read at least one book that had a “stock” character – someone following the formula for his archetype so closely that he was just dull; the disgruntled employee, the ditzy blonde or the immoral lawyer. These types of characters add nothing to a story. So why do
When Jodi Picoult was writing “Lone Wolf” she interviewed a man, Shaun Ellis, who actually lived with a pack of wild wolves in Canada. He has a show on Animal Planet called Living with the Wolfman. Here’s a trailer for a National Geographic show that aired a few years back showing him growling, snarling and feeding on an animal carcass … so what’s your take on him? Crazy dude or
Jodi Picoult began writing her first novel after being downsized from her day job on Wall Street. Since then she has published nearly 20 novels (a book a year), written while she was at home looking after her kids. You can see why her story resonates with me. I’m currently reading her recent novel entitled “Lone Wolf.” It’s an interesting enough story about two siblings deciding whether to end their
The gods of creative energy have a twisted sense of humour. First they instill in us an obsessive need to produce something from nothing (a novel, a musical score, a sculpture etc). Then they stand back and let us flounder around in our potential. It’s almost like they’re testing us; waiting to see which of us will sink and which can swim. Sometimes, when I’m really struggling with a piece
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stories for women, by women, and about women