Sundays for Writers

This afternoon, I joined Cindy Carroll and a few other members of Guelph Write Now at Lucie's Bakery in south Guelph.

Sue and I shared the first few pages of our novels. Cindy, Danielle and Matthew provided excellent suggestions and supported our fledgling works.

I find these Sunday sessions very interesting and informative. I am learning more about ebooks and their future potential. I am hoping that Danielle will share more of her expertise and experiences with us at future meetings.

We also enjoyed the delicious coffee, sandwiches and desserts.

Published

Today, my review of Butterfly's Child appears in the Waterloo Record and Guelph Mercury.

Read my review.

Spectacular Second Acts

Whenever I experience writers' block, I like to read about other artistic souls who found new passions after age 50.

Frank McCourt wrote Angela's Ashes at age 65. The novel won a Pulitzer Prize in 1997.

Grandma Moses started painting at age 73.

Laura Ingalls Wilder published the first book of the Little House on the Prairie series at age 65.

Alfred Wallis took up painting at age 60.  He needed a hobby "for company" after the death of his wife. His paintings are part of the Tate collection.

Advice from Louise Penny

Last summer, I discovered Louise Penny at Stratford's Celebrated Writers series.  Along with 200+ of her fans, I listened as she read from her latest novel and talked about the writing process. When asked about inspiration, she commented that she would have major problems if she waited for the muse to strike.

Since that time, I have read all her novels based in the Eastern townships of Quebec. I also visit her blog each day. In today's entry, Louise describes her writing process as she starts her eighth novel.

Here is an excerpt from that blog posting:

But here we are! Just finished writing for the day. Always momentous - that first day. I had set a goal of 500 words. Ended up writing just over 900. Feels good. First go a little rough...but I read and re-read and smoothed. And now I like it. Will re-read it tomorrow before starting on the original writing for that day. I find it's important not to get caught up in editing, at least for me. I can smooth and polish and edit for days and weeks and months, ending up with the finest 1000 words you've ever read...but no closer to actually writing the book. For me, editing can be an escape - I can hide in it. Kidding myself I'm being useful, when all I'm doing is running on the spot. 

Check out her blog. 

Dinner with Writers Ink

I enjoy the monthly dinner meetings at Symposium Restaurant.

Tonight, nine of us gathered to talk about writing, Mexico, Banff and our respective creative journeys. As usual, the conversation was lively and stimulating. I always come away inspired and ready to resume my writing.

Visit the blog for Writers Ink.

I Don't Want To Know

In today's Toronto Star, Dr. Oz talks about a new brain scan that can spot buildup of plaque, that tangly stuff related to Alzheimer's Disease. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration advisory committee has recommended its approval, but wants to ensure that all doctors and radiologists know how to interpret the scans.

Many medical experts are discouraging consumers from taking the early-warning test. Dr. Oz disagrees--he believes that anyone over 50 with a family history of mild cognitive impairment, Alzheimer's or Parkinson's, should take the test.

I meet all of these criteria, but I have decided not to take the test. Instead, I will follow the everyday health habits that Dr. Oz recommends:

• Eat more salads, fish and fruit. 
• Eat less butter, ice cream and red meat.
• Take a brisk 30-minute walk each day.
• Do not smoke and do not go near people who do.
• Drink three to five small cups of coffee a day.
• Drink in moderation--one drink a day for women and two for men.
• Take a DHA supplement.

Listening to Maria Aragon

The 10-year old Winnipeg native has been caught in a whirlwind. She is living proof that life can change on a dime.

Last week, her sister, Rojuane, filmed Maria as she sang Lady Gaga's latest single, Born This Way. The day after, Lady Gaga tweeted a link of Maria's version to her millions of followers. She commented, "Can's stop crying watching this. This is why I make music. She is the future."

Watch the video on youtube.