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.
Monday, September 23, 2013
Saturday, September 21, 2013
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.
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.
Sunday, September 8, 2013
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.
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.
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!
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!
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