Alice Munro

I picked up a copy of "My Best Stories" which is a collection of stories by Alice Munro, forwarded by Margaret Atwood. I ashamed to say that, as a consistent reader since my early years, I had not been drawn to Alice Munro.

Some of my in-laws came from the same, Western-Ontario country, and it was a revelation to read (and hear) the voices with the dry, strict interpretation of what life is and how it should be lived. The story about the turkey farm and how the process of getting the birds to market was both magnetic and distracting. It will be some time before I can eat turkey again.

I just sat through a seminar about cumulative sentences and it has inspired me to re-visit the opening scene of my novel (yes, still in progress!).

I have heard from a number of sources that clear and concise writing is what we should aspire to. This seems to lean me in the right direction insofar as Freelance Writing is concerned. However, as I try to write a novel, or novella, I find that I need more tools to get my vision across.

I can take advice from a number of sources but should be able to pick and choose which specific pieces of advice to use--or try to use.

Using cumulative syntax may be a road that I should follow.

Yes, it definitely HAS been a while! However, I feel goog things coming. I am more focused on my novel and think I know what to do next. I promise to update this regularly!!!

I have been volunteering at the Parkside Centre here in Sudbury ( www.theparksidecentre.ca ) and am on the Board of Directors. I have written the landing page for our new website, and will continue to update it.

I am also the Vice President of the Sudbury Astronomy Club and have just become responsible for the monthly newsletter.

More to come....

Here we go! I've spent the last few months joining groups and following a few different blogs. I have articles and instruction manuals piling up in my computer, and have put the novel on the back burner to move in a different direction----Freelance Writing!

My contact list is current and I can't wait to get my first query.

Homework for tonight is to re-write an exisitng blog or ad--I'll keep you posted.

Pete

July 19th already?? Where has the summer gone? I stopped writing after April and have had trouble getting back up to speed. Each day begins with a plan, yet each evening shows no writing results to speak of.

The only way out of the morass is to use my old sales training and set up appointments with myself specifically for writing. This week has been much better, and I have updated my twitter account and FB page as well.

It is hard to evaluate how the brain lets you walk away from something that truly stimulates you.

I thought that I was writing a SF novel. It turns out that my taste is quite eclectic. Can I insert humour into the novel? How about Paranormal or Fantasy?

Other forms of fiction raise their hands and shout my name throughout my day.

I am going to need  to keep up my weekly planner so that I keep on track. I also will record all of these other voices separately---you never know when one will stand up and raise it's hand at the same time!