Writer's Retreat - Part 2

 August 31 2021

A sequel to the previous post.

Pam and I enjoyed a rejuvenating, and much needed, three-day writing retreat with our fellow Genre5 members – Gloria Ferris, Donna Houghton, and Donna Warner. The location was Donna Warner’s cottage in the Muskoka’s (prime cottage country in Ontario, don’t you know). Thank you, again, Donna, for hosting and seeing to all our comforts!

 

Early Morning - Lake like glass

    

Water Activity

                               

There were only five of us, but the amount of food and refreshment we brought along would have fed a crowd three times the size! No starving artists this time around. And with no readily available internet, distractions from the outside world were kept at bay for three days. Imagine – we survived!

The weather was perfect to enjoy the clear waters of Sparrow Lake. Barbecues, hot tubs, kayaking and paddle-boarding helped round out the days.  Evenings were spent by the water, safely ensconced within a bug free gazebo. A propane-fueled fire pit added to the relaxing atmosphere.

Gloria added to the fun by providing an activity to help cool us all down. “Wear a hat, and red lipstick”, were the instructions we heeded. As well, we coordinated our clothing for a photo ‘shoot’.  Our historic, laughable, attempts at selfies have been rectified. A proper stand and light ring for our group shots have solved the problem!  Next up – videos???

 

But yes, we did ‘work’. After not having a real get together in a year and a half, we had much to discuss! Brainstorming over marketing and promotion. Along with the next steps in our group collaborative writing project.

We’ve decided to be more serious with marketing our Genre5 ‘brand’ – especially if we intend to write a book together! Stay tuned for more details on this.

Genre5
Donna Warner, Liz Lindsay, Pam Blance, Gloria Ferris, Donna Houghton

 

An Instagram account has been created – Genre5Authors – and you should be seeing lots from us in the future. Make sure you follow us to stay up-to-date!

Award-winner Gloria  is the gifted creator of her successful Cornwall & Redfern Mystery series, as well as 2 books in her YA series – Blood Patch and its sequel, Blood Shield.  She co-wrote two novellas with Donna Warner – Targeted, and Death’s Footprint. Donna Houghton has a wonderful, and enthralling, fantasy in the works which is nearing completion. 

Yours truly, of course, as Jamie Tremain, have 3 books in the Dorothy Dennehy Mystery Series, and are this close to the launch of our new series – Grant’s Crossing. The first in the series is called Death on the Alder, and we hope to have its debut in October. This series is more cozy than crime/mystery, and we hope our fans will continue along for the ride! With a slight change in the genre, we are hoping to attract new readers as well.

Once again, we are delighted with the cover work for Grant's Crossing - Death on the Alder, provided by our cover designer, Jennifer Gibson.  She is also an author and her series focuses on Jessie, a high school student who is hearing impaired. Learn more at her site here.

September is upon us, and all around, there is much to be unsettled about. For me, reading a good book is such a wonderful distraction – when I’m not writing! Currently, I’m enjoying  “You Will Remember Me” by Hannah Mary McKinnon. I’m a big fan of her writing! Next up will be Louise Penny’s “All the Devils are Here”. As well, I’ve added to my Kobo, Edward Rutherfurd’s “China”.  So, as you can see, I’m prepared for the autumn!

What books have carried you through the summer? And how tall is your 'to be read' pile?

The retreat was a week ago. Memories made to last a lifetime! I feel incredibly blessed to say I'm an author, but even more blessed to say I have wonderful friends within this special group. Long live Genre5 Authors!

Cheers!

Liz

Click on the name to buy on Amazon

Jamie Tremain:  

Gloria Ferris     

Jennifer Gibson   

Killer Authors

Introducing the Killer Authors Writing Group

Jamie Tremain (Pam and I) spent a most enjoyable day yesterday with author Gloria Ferris (Cheat the Hangman, Corpse Flower), Donna Warner, and Donna Houghton as we had our first meeting. An informal writing group, we’ll get together about every three months to share writing tips, commiserate on the snail’s pace writing and publishing often takes, and regale each other with humorous – often gut-splitting – tales.  Not always writing related!

Liz, Pam, Donna Warner, Gloria Ferris and in front Donna Houghton

Donna Warner and Gloria have collaborated and written “Targeted” – the start of  a new mystery series set to debut later this year, and the sequel Gloria’s Corpse Flower is Shroud of Roses – also available July 2015.

So these busy and successful writers have lots to share about their experiences as published authors and Jamie Tremain is eager to learn.  Donna Houghton writes YA Fantasy and is on the same path as Jamie Tremain – writing, but not yet published.  Stay tuned for updates and book launches!

Yesterday was a welcome bright spot in an otherwise dreary January.  Gloria graciously hosted and Donna W provided a scrumptious lunch, with Pam’s sinful offering of a decadent trifle as desert.

In between eating and laughter, we discussed ‘weasel words’ – those overused words writers often become blind to within their manuscripts.  Donna W also shared some tips on word repetition and provided a helpful link for Descriptive Adjectives .

Another useful tip we’ve learned is how to have Adobe read back a manuscript – invaluable to have another ‘voice’ do the reading and help catch repeated words or structure that doesn’t make sense.

But above all, for me, the day provided a writing boost.  Pam and I are in the beginning phases of our fourth story, a sequel to Body Perfect – now renamed The Silk Shroud – and are excited to put on the writing hat again. Creating characters, outlining the plot and seeing the story take shape are what we love.

Here’s to much success for all writers in 2015.

And don't forget the upcoming interview with Eva Gates - aka Vicki Delany later this month.

Cheers!

Liz