Printers ink and black hands!

The volcano in Iceland has stopped spewing ash and the travellers are back on track. The devastation in Haiti continues with families still living in tents and looking for their next meal. Local politicians are up to no good and the Mayoral race is heating up. And I get all this news before my breakfast.

I have always read the morning newspaper with my breakfast and there is nothing like reading the weekend paper before everyone wakes up. My first pot o’ tea of the day would not be the same without the smell of printers ink and my black hands marking everything in my wake. Even when it makes me late for work most mornings!

Maybe it is a generational thing. My colleagues at work, some a few decades younger and born into the age of computers and the Internet find it hard to understand why I don’t click on to my newspaper of choice and read all the news and weather, catch a short video of real time, 24 hours a day.

I feel the same way about books.

Discussing the publishing industry with a friend who has just finished her third book (in the paranormal genre,) she is trying to decide to publish her latest as an e –book. Well I am not quite ready for that yet. I know, I know, times are a-changing but I still see books as something tangible. My friend whipped out her I-phone and showed me what she was reading. Well, I will work on that but don’t look for Madelaine on line yet.

Today was a beautiful day and I spent it at a fashion show that was different from the norm. Put on by the Multiple Sclerosis Society they had a designer demonstrate clothes that were specifically made for women in wheelchairs. My friend Sandra, who has had MS for 42 years, was the model. The majority at the luncheon were either in wheelchairs or had walkers or canes and the crowd were made up of friends or relatives. I was with a party of seven very with it ladies. Ages were from 55-93 and such a well put together bunch. They had all been in the fashion business at one time or another, from retail women’s wear, direct selling of a major brand to company buyer of ladies wear. They were most impressed by the quality of the designs and the ingenuity behind them. It is enterprising women like this designer that makes living with MS just a little bit easier. Very enjoyable day.

Tomorrow the plan is to proof read the chapters Liz has been sending me. No decision has been made yet regarding the Bloody Words Conference but will decide this week as we have to book if we are going. Sounds like a great lineup.

Talk soon,
Slainte,
Pam

Happy Endings

Pam has written a great wrap up for Body Perfect.  As things stand now, we both really like the ending of this particular tale.  Now its up to me to continue with the in between bits – I’m up to revising Chapter 12 and Pam has finished at Chapter 21, so you can do the math!

Awoke feeling pretty lousy this morning, so for the first time in a long while, took a sick day.  Went back to bed after calling and leaving messages at work; the next four hours were probably the best sleep I’ve had all week.

So its nice to have this bonus of a day to relax.  When the batteries get low, sometimes you have no choice but to recharge.  And by clearing some chores out of the way today, I hope to have a good chunk of time tomorrow for Body Perfect.

Ideas are percolating for the next adventure of Paul and Dorothy, but before we start book number three, Pam and I both feel we need to definitely be more aware of plotting and research.  The past three years (already!!) have given us lots of practice and brought us into contact with a wealth of connections, resources, and well rounded advice.  None of which is to be taken lightly, but rather to be viewed as building more on the foundation we started with.  With optimistic enthusiasm,  Jamie Tremain will succeed. 

Remember, you read it here first.

Thanks again to our loyal readers and followers – don’t ever underestimate the value of your input and encouragement to both Pam and myself.

Enjoy your weekend and happy reading.

Cheers!

Liz

Advances!!

Easter Saturday was cooler than it had been so Liz and I spent the day together at my place.It had been some time since we sat down and worked through issues regarding the stories and hashed out a plan of action. Action being the operative word ,just what is needed to finish "Body Perfect". Inaction on both our parts so.... we needed to focus and have a plan.

We settled in with the requisite pot of coffee and a bowl of chocolate easter eggs. The weather had been wonderful all week so we were glad it was cooler and great working weather.

"Madelaine" is finished but it is necessary to go back to the drawing board and work on the dialogue. An agent who read the manuscript enjoyed the story and the characters but the dialogue needs some work. A work in progress and we will get back to it shortly.

We decided to charge ahead with Body and finish the first draft . As much as we like Madelaine we just love our characters in "Body Perfect". They are so much fun to work with. The plan is to make this into a series so we need to plant enough information in the book to whet your appetite for more.

We worked out the name of a new business for our protagonists. Can't tell you yet! Managed 1000 words and could have done 2000 but Liz was having a problem with my laptop. She is a fast keyboarder and not used to the small keyboard. Frustrating for her but a productive day.
I am working on the ending chapter that has to lead into the beginning of the new book. Liz is busy with dialogue and cutting and adding to the first chapters.

I read recently that all writers should take an acting class. It s the best way to bring your characters to life. I was into amateur theatricals in my teens but I was always relegated to the prop or makeup department. Now Liz can tell a joke like no one else I know and she gets into character easily. It'sa little hard to do our acting out in the work cafeteria though.

I read today of the advance that Yann Martel received for his new book. $ 1 million.!!!He is the author of "The life of Pi" also Louise Penny just received the advances for her next two books.

Girls can dream can't they? Well I can't earn any money blethering away here so upward and onward and I will let you know when they send me the big cheque!.

Talk soon,

Slainte,
Pam