Life of a Writer. #28. News on soon to be launched Website.

The website www.maryloudickinson.com is imminent. Jessica Heald, graphic designer with Digit Digital (www.digitdigital.com/), has been working with me to create a new website. Once complete, it will help to inform about my books, especially the new novel scheduled for publication in Fall, 2014.

I will continue to post photographs on my blog from time to time, reviews of other people's books and even recipes and travel information that I find appealing. The blog will feed into the website, or so far as I know it will.

So progress is being made, although I slow down the process when I can't find the relevant information quickly. Jessica, on the other hand, is a whiz!

My upcoming novel posting on HSW Literary Agency website.

Mary Lou Dickinson

 

Mary Lou Dickinson grew up in northern Quebec and has lived for many years in Toronto, where she worked as a crisis counsellor. She holds a Bachelor of Arts from McGill University and a Master in Library Science from the University of Toronto. Her fiction has been published in the University of Windsor Review, Descant, Waves, Grain, Northern Journey, Impulse, Writ and broadcast on CBC Radio. Her writing was also included in the anthology, We Who Can Fly: Poems, Essays and Memories in Honour of Adele Wiseman. Mary Lou published a book of short stories, One Day it Happens, in 2007, and her first novel, Ile D’Or, in 2010.

Works on Offer:

Would I Lie to You?
Inanna Publications, Fall 2014

After ten years of marriage, Sue and Jerry would say they know everything about each other. But each harbours a significant secret.

When Jerry becomes ill and it’s apparent he’s dying, Sue visits a psychic, Hans, who tells her there is someone like a son in her life. She dismisses this, but at Jerry’s funeral his son turns up—a son Sue didn’t know existed.  At first Sue feels betrayed by Jerry, but gradually she accepts her own complicity. And regrets never telling him, or anyone else, about the baby girl she gave up for  adoption when she herself was only sixteen.

Encouraged by Hans and a relative of Jerry’s, Sue starts looking for her daughter and relying more on Hans, who is struggling with troubles of his own…

Manuscript available
World, excluding Canada

New Orleans. November 2013

Exciting trip to informative Friendship Force International Conference in New Orleans with time to experience much of New Orleans as well. Jazz at Preservation Hall (don't miss it!) to riding the streetcars, eating beignets as well as po-boys, walking in the French Quarter, visiting the Civil War Museum and the Art Gallery of southwest art. Great city and it was warmer there, even though cool, than it now is in Toronto. Also saw Joseph Boyden at LANOAirport, he en route to Toronto unable to say why yet. Discovered on CBC the next day that his book, The Orenda, is featured on the Canada Reads comeptition this year. Good luck to the author.
p.s. as a non meat eater, did not eat 'gator meat!

Life of a writer. 27. Contract signed!

How exciting is that! Contract signed for my third book. It will be published by Inanna Publications in the fall of 2014. Would I Lie To You? Of course not. By now, you might know this is the title of the book, one about FAMILY SECRETS.  Sue is about to lose her husband without knowing his deepest secret. It turns out she has one also that he does not learn before he dies while her discovery after that is foreshadowed by the words of a psychic... "There is someone like a son..." Words she chooses to discount and ignore until...

Life of a Writer. 26. How to flog a book. 2 Family Secrets!

Yesterday, at WOTS (Word On The Street), I ran into Heaher Wood, another writer who is also part of my writing group, Moosemeat. We found a table and sat for a while in the sunshine, talking about what we had seen that afternoon, about what we were doing. Since Heather knows a lot about promotion, I asked her about it for my next book. It will be my third book, likely with a fall 2014 pub date.
     First she asked more about it and from our conversation asked, "Would you say it is about family secrets?"
     Ah, thank you, Heather. At last I have the short description for this novel. A jumping off point for conversation about it.
      Since the action happens before instant means of conversation and the secrets harken back to the 1950s and 1960s, it was a time when the kind of secrets the characters had were frequent. A hidden pregnancy, for instance. And the 1980s and onwards a time when many of them came to light. So it is in 'Would I Lie To You?' my upcoming novel.

Life of a Writer. #25. How to Flog a Book?

One would expect some ache after the extraction of a tooth. Also some bleeding and swelling. Fortunately on Day 2, there is progress. I look like a chipmunk on one side and can't eat anything solid yet, but had a scrambled egg for breakfast and yoghurt and banana. I also feel as if I ought to remain fairly quiet so that leads to some reflection. Especially after hearing author interviews on the radio earlier and hoping to be relatively normal tomorrow so I can attend Word on the Street 2013 Toronto. From my new home, this is only a short walk and so even more a possibility.

Among other things, I will go to the Inanna booth where other Inanna authors will gather. I did not give a specific time, not knowing how the healing would have progressed by tomorrow. But now that the bleeding seems almost to have stopped, I am more optimistic that I will actually make it. Soon I will look at the WOTS map in the Toronto Star and identify what else I want to do, as well as wander aimlessly!

The reflection also led me to thoughts about my life as a writer over a lifetime. I wrote my first published piece at 7, or at least that is when my grandmother published it in her column in the Toronto Telegram and sent me $5, which in those days was a pile of money. Probably full of false promises also that writing might be lucrative. Rather a joke to anyone who knows the scenario, although there are the few who actually make a living at it and even fewer who make piles of money. I won't name names, everyone knows those stories.

My story is not so different from another norm, perhaps less well known although I have read somewhat similar stories and heard them on the radio. My books came late even though I have been writing all my life. I had short stories published over the years in literary periodicals, but it was after I retired from the work force where I had held many part time and almost full time positions to support myself and children that my first book (One Day It Happens, a collection of short stories) was published when I was70. Inanna saw the merit in it and also in my novel, Ile d'Or, which was published when I was 73. They have recently accepted another novel, which will be published in my mid/late 70s.

I now have two other books well on the way...one a mystery, the other a memoir. It will be interesting to see if they get published when I am still alive, perhaps in my late 70s early 80s.

The point of this bit of personal history is that I keep wondering how to promote what have been well reviewed books (and hopefully more to follow) is that I wonder if there is a hook for publicity in these facts of late publication. There is a story there of passion, persistence, determination and dedication, but thus far I have not told it in a way that has captured any attention.

Any ideas? Throw them my way and I will run with them when I know the publication date of my next book...Would I Lie To You? No, I wouldn't, but that is not a question but the title of the upcoming novel.  I call it a Canadian Philomena, for those of you who saw the Film at TIFF, because the main character has also given up a child for adoption when she was a young teenager. There are many strands that are different, but that central core is there for both Philomena and my character, Sue.

Friendship Force

Recently I joined the newly formed Toronto group of the Friendship Force (www.friendshipforce.org), a non profit cultural exchange organization since 1977 promoting friendship and goodwill through a home stay program. Most recently, I joined the group for a dinner held for people from elsewhere, including four women from Egypt and 15 or so from the USA. The American group that pulled the larger number together was from Connecticut. It was a fun evening with much camaraderie when I learned more about our visitors as well as the way the group works. Both as host and as traveler.

The next day, a member of the Toronto group gave a tour of Ward's Island (involving a ferry ride to get there) and invited us back to his place before we went to dinner at the Rectory, a charming restaurant on the water on Ward's. Some of us sat out on the porch and the rest at a table under the stars. Or the sun before the stars came out. I had the pleasure of chatting with a number of people, including a man from Virginia, Roger Dickinson, whose sister in law shares my name. He bought my novel to take back for her. A keen reader in the group, Sue Reiter, also wanted a copy. I don't often take books to events like this, but I thought Roger would be interested, as he was. And Sue wanted an autographed copy also, so I took one
to the desk at her hotel (as prearranged) the next day while she was out touring in Toronto.

Prior to this particular weekend of hosting folks from Connecticut (who were staying with hosts when they went north to North Bay, but had caught the Toronto group on a long weekend when many were away), we met out in the west end and had a mural walk on Dundas Street West before eating dinner at a pub.

The aftermath of Hurricane Hazel. Mural in west end Toronto

Another mural.

TIFF 2013. (Continued)

Today's films:
Mandela; Long Walk to Freedom. Excellent. Would that there were contemporary leaders anywhere with his courage.
Paradise. Mexican romantic comedy about a fat couple who love each other, but run into difficulty trying to diet when one succeeds and the other doesn't. I thought the movie rather charming, but not that comic and somewhat predictable.

TIFF 2013.

September in Toronto is the time for the Toronto International Film Festival. Time to stand in lines and talk to others attending. Even though my films have been chosen, a time to listen to what others have seen. Everyone so knowledgable about directors, actors, what is hot! Sometimes I have added to my list on this basis. Sometimes I have made new friends. I have met people from many American cities who come to Toronto to spend time at the Festival. So much fun.

So far I have seen three excellent films. The first was Exit Marrakech, a father son story set in  places I recognized from my January trip. What wonderful scenery and a moving coming of age story where both son and father moved through significant passages and came to a reconciliation. Next was a coming to terms with the war story called  The Railwayman, starring Colin Firth and Nicole Kidman. A large Q&A panel thar included Firth as well as the actor who played his younger self. Harrowing war scenes seen in flashbacks, but a final remarkable forgiveness of the tortuer that led to an unlikely friendship. And saved a marriage. Then a delightful romantic comedy, Enough Said. So that even standing in line in the rain for two films on Saturday was offset by good conversation and excellent films!

More to follow!

Life of a Writer. 24. Back to work on writing a mystery.

I have noticed this week that by 8.30 p.m., it is already dark. After hot days, I have not been thinking of the end of summer. But it is almost here. The seasons pass too quickly. How to enjoy each day, each moment and also get back to writing and revising the mystery? In one shape or another, that balance is often elusive. Even so, I have read up to page 175 of my latest revision of 'The White Ribbon Man' in the last few days and feel satisfied that the story is moving along up to this point. I know that around some corner in the next few pages, I will have to pause, reflect and likely regroup somehow from that point on.

Who murdered the woman discovered in the basement of the church? First of all, who is she anyway? When will the reader know? How do the  cops find out? Who is the murderer? How did the murder happen? It took me quite a while to figure it out myself. The challenge now is to make it plausible without making it obvious. So many questions to ponder to take this novel through to completion. It is almost as difficult for the writer to figure out as the writer hopes it will be for the reader. But the detective, Jack Cosser, will solve the case likely before the reader figures it out, possibly even before the writer does.

Life of a Writer. 23. Writer as Reader (continued).

One of my favourite reads of late, Lisa Moore's 'Caught'. A thriller with a difference. Hard to put down, characters I felt I knew, poetic descriptions. And not only that, it is a Canadian thriller. And a literary one. The latest novel in the hands of one of our most exciting up and coming authors. Although that description is probably not accurate any longer as Moore has already arrived, and sparkles, on the literary scene. Indeed, we know already to watch for her work.

Another favourite read was by the established and Pen/Faulkner award winning American author, James Salter. 'All That Is' is a haunting novel of the life of one man that begins in the final days of WWII in the Pacific. After that it wends its way through Philip Bowman's life and that of his friends as he succeeds in the world of the literary editor and flounders in his personal life. The landscape is the American publishing industry and the story of this one man's personal journey through many entanglements. Beautifully written, I also gobbled it up.

Other Readers?

Life of a Writer. #22.Moosecall 10. Moose in Wonderland. Chapbook Launch.

Every two weeks, the writers of the Moosemeat Writing Group meet to critique each others work. It is a productive group with a structure that allows everyone a turn to comment followed by a free for all and finally for the writer being critiqued to respond. Often just to say thank you for the feedback. It is never easy for the writer in question, as the critiques are wide ranging and thorough. However, it is always the prerogative of the writer in question to decide what to use in further revisions. Some suggestions are helpful, others get rejected. In my experience, the work improves as I consider what has been suggested. Early on in my experience of this kind of critique, two stories of mine were published. So I have continued, and continue,  to value the feedback of the group and the interaction there. Also when I am not subjecting my own work to this scrutiny, participating to offer constructive feedback to other writers continues to sharpen my eye and motivates me to come back to the solitary work of writing.

All of this commentary on the group is prelude to saying our annual chapbook launch of this year's flash fiction occurred last night in Toronto at the Arts and Letters Club. There wasn't a dull moment as Isabel Matwawana and Jerry Schaefer co hosted with good humour and creativity the readings of thirteen of our members. Lots of laughter, lots of applause! And a performance of a song sung by Isabel with Jerry on guitar was a lovely surprise addition to the evening. Needless to say, there was also lively conversation during the intermission.

The weather was quite threatening, as it has been often this summer and was last year for our launch as well. It didn't daunt our spirits and everyone turned out accompanied as well by friends and relatives.

Life of a Writer. 21. Writing in Summer.

When the weather is fine, I would rather be outside than writing. And often am! Even so, the mystery progresses with Jack Cosser, the detective, unravelling the identity of the murder victim. And starting to seek out the killer. The writer eventually needs to know who this is also. Actually, I do know, but won't reveal that, of course. For now, just that Jack will close in on this villain sooner or later. How and when and why remains in my hands and I am working on it.

However, today on this gorgeous day, I will venture out into the sunshine. All too precious after the record breaking rain just a few days ago in Toronto.

Life of a Writer. #20. Writing a Mystery. Progress Report.

This is a brief update on the mystery I continue to revise.  The detective has morphed from Alistair Cosser to Simon Cosser to Jack Cosser. Detective Sergeant Jack Cosser. I like his latest name. I hope you do, too!

 The murder happens in Toronto, so these photos aren't representative of the novel's plot. They are from my January trip to Morocco. They make me think of twists and turns in plots as well as highways, for instance.

Life of a Writer. 19. Waiting for the next book! Would I Lie to You?

No, of course I wouldn't lie to you. Would I Lie To You? is the title of my next book, another novel, just accepted by Inanna for publication in the not too distant future (date yet to be announced!). It still doesn't feel quite real, but nonetheless it is exciting. Once I stop shouting from the hilltops and come up for air, I will get on with the mystery. But for now, I am still shouting!

Here is a very brief synopsis to whet your appetite.

As her husband lies dying, Sue goes to see a psychic who tells her there is someone like a son in her life. She dismisses this, but at Jerry’s funeral his son turns up, a son Sue didn’t know existed.  She regrets never telling her husband, or anyone else, about the baby girl she gave up for adoption when she herself was only sixteen. At the same time as she starts to look for her daughter, she begins to rely on Hans and discovers he is struggling with difficulties in his own marriage.

Wandering in Montreal. June 2013

Chicago Weekend. May, 2013

LIFE (Learning is Forever) in the Windy City. May 9^th to 13^th, 2013. With Pauwels Travel

Chicago is a wealth of magnificent architecture, indoor and outdoor art, jazz and excitement. Interesting galleries and museums abound. The open parkland of the waterfront stretching for miles is itself a work of art, a vision that was sustained from the early 1900s by planners through many changes in politicians.

Our first taste came on the bus trip to Chicago when we stopped for a tour of architect Frank Lloyd Wright’s Meyer May House in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Moving on in a downpour that we’d thus far avoided, we found the windy city wet and cold. Fortunately the weather improved for the day in Oak Park where the focus was once again the work of Wright, including his house and studio. Many of the houses in the area, which we saw on a neighbourhood walk, were designed by him in his unique prairie style.

Our hotel, the Palmer House, with its high interior domed lobby, is a jewel situated in the Loop, an area defined by the elevated transit that surrounds the downtown area. We could walk from there in our free time to many of the city’s highlights. Millenium Park, another visionary creation of this city where outdoor art intrigues, was just a few blocks away. As was the Art Institute of Chicago.

On such a short trip, one can only scratch the surface, but with our architectural tour from a river cruise of the many styles of buildings to walking in Millenium Park, to visiting the Art Institute, a jazz club, the top of the Hancock Tower and a city tour that included Wrigley Field, we had a stimulating introduction to a major cultural centre built where the Chicago River entered Lake Michigan and now flows inland at the behest of those who did not want the sewage to contaminate their drinking water.

 Oh yes, and the food was good, too! And the camaraderie.

Life of a Writer. 18. Goofing Off

And eating dessert! It tasted wonderful, but it was the presentation. Quickly demolished. Conversation was great. Now  to work. Or to sleep.

Life of a Writer. #17. Writing a Mystery. Progress Report.

Mystery:  Body Found in Basement Washroom of Church
Detective: Alistair Cosser
Identity of Victim: Unknown initially
Suspects: Hard to know until ID established
Location: Downtown Toronto
Time Frame: Mid 1990s?

First paragraphs:

 THE WHITE RIBBON MAN

Part One

Mid November

It was a gray Sunday in the middle of November when there had been no snow yet, but it was in the air and Alistair Cosser had hoped to have a quiet day enjoying the last of what had been an unusually spectacular fall season. Instead here he was showing his card with his name, Detective Sergeant Alistair Cosser, rank, telephone and badge numbers on it to the priest of the Church of the Holy Trinity in downtown Toronto.

“You’re the minister?” he said.

The first police officer on the scene had ensured that the steps from the main floor of the church to the basement were barricaded. Because there was a body in the washroom there, he had followed protocol and called a detective to take over. When the detective had arrived, he had very quickly assessed the situation and called homicide. This was when Cosser had come in, a man of medium height with brown hair with a slight wave in it. His fair reddish skin suggested in his youth he probably had freckles and a short tree trunk of a neck seemed almost to sit on top of his shoulders. He had immediately been briefed by the detective who had also made known to him that the man approaching them at that moment was the minister.

The priest now looked up from the card. “Yes. I’m the incumbent here,” he said as if he perhaps doubted the designation himself. “David Stinson.”

Alistair nodded, thinking this man the unlikeliest image of a minister he had ever encountered. Dressed in blue jeans with a fringe of unshaven hair on his face, it would have been  difficult to figure out his role here without asking. What Cosser did know was that this man had called 911 because of the discovery of the body of a woman on the church’s premises. He thought that if this were a murder, which could not be concluded until he had a handle on the case, it would be the forty-seventh in Toronto for the year. That was the average number for mid-November, but it did not make Alistair feel better because he knew only too well that every death had tentacles that reached into families and communities. And that until the police figured out who this woman was and what had happened to her, everyone would be on edge.

 “How many people have keys to the church?” the detective asked.

“I do. The caretaker. The wardens,” the priest replied.

“How many wardens are there?”

“Two.”

“I’ll need their names.”

“Yes, of course. Only one of them is here this morning. The woman over there with red hair. Her name is Linda O’Reilly.”

Alistair nodded again. He was not a tall man, probably not more than five feet nine or ten. His ruddy cheeks suggested he enjoyed his liquor, but it was also part of having fair skin. His eyes were alert, darting around the room as he talked. Now they fastened on Linda O’Reilly and another woman, standing close together, neither saying a word.

“The woman with Linda is the person who discovered the body. I think she’s still in shock,” David Stinson said. “I don’t know her. She probably came over from the Eaton Centre to use the washroom. People do. If the church is open.”

 The church was a tall Gothic revival structure, its gray presence still imposing even though towered over by the Eaton Centre and a nearby hotel that acted as if they were the thick walls one might find around an ancient castle. When first on the drawing board, the developer had intended to demolish the church, but the uproar that created had led to a modified design that included it instead.

“I’ll talk to them first,” Alistair said. “And the other warden?”