Frustrations@#$%^&

A week has past since we started the revisions on "Madelaine" while we were in Kincardine. I have managed to read to Chapter 19 making notes and suggestions along the way and then passed them to Liz who is doing the typing of corrections and adding her own revisions. There were lots of little things to change at the beginning and we also changed some names for better flow but I have found very little to correct. Liz did a stellar job when we had to change the timeline of one section and spent many nights revising.

It can be tedious but I have to say I am still enjoying the story and hope the reader thinks the same. The big thing with Ms Lindsay right now is the title of the book. I will always call it Madelaine but I see the point that it tells you nothing about the book and we need to find something that will catch the readers eye. We look forward to your suggestions.

A year ago I went to the Elora Festival with my husband and was excited enough to make some attempts at this journey of writing. Today, as Liz mentioned there were six very accomplished authors and she thoroughly enjoyed it. I, however could not hear a thing they were saying. Talk about frustration. New batteries in the hearing aids made no difference so I sat and scribbled a short story while Liz was laughing her head off about some witty remarks or a section of someones masterpiece.@#$%^

I will start revising the second round of the book when Liz is ready to release them to me. It seems to be the only way we can do this. I am missing Dorothy and Paul/ Body Perfect but it is better to concentrate on one book at a time as we finish.

Looking forward to any comments and suggestions regarding the Name change.

Pam

What's In a Name???

And we need your assistance!

This afternoon Pam and I spent a few hours in beautiful, picturesque Elora, where we attended the Elora Writer’s Festival

Six published authors read from their works. There was Edeet Ravel, and Helen Humphreys, whom I really enjoyed. Also reading were Diane Flacks, Laurie Gough, Jacob McArthur Mooney and Rio Youers.

Afterwards we went for a quick coffee to discuss, of course, OUR books. Madelaine is being re-typed and hopefully will have the finishing touches very soon! And that is where we would like YOUR input!

All along we have been calling the story “Madelaine”, but its never been a satisfying title to me. Objectively, if I were browsing book titles, I think I’d be passing it by! However, the challenge is to come up with a good title. And believe me when I wake up at 2 a.m. and can’t sleep, that’s what I’m focusing on – and it generally works better than counting sheep!

Some of you have been following the story as we have been writing it, for others this little synopsis might help to inspire a title, other than just “Madelaine”


Madelaine Green is a single, independent thirty-something, She owns her own successful business in Virginia, and the only dark cloud on her horizon is the failing health of her mother.

Until she meets Raphael, an artist - among other things - and then her life is turned upside down. He is charming and seems to be all that Madelaine could have wished for, capturing her heart and imagination. But then two more men enter her life and she must decide who to trust and who to believe, while she battles self doubt and learns her childhood had its own secrets.

When her own life, and the life of a man she cares very much about, are threatened, decisions must be made, and a story unfolds about a past she never knew she had.

If you have the perfect title, we’d love to hear it! And IF it should end up being used, you will have credit for it! You can leave your suggestion as a comment – no ID required! – or email either Pam or myself and let us know.

And now its time to start thinking about work again, and even as I do that, the twitch under my eye is back! It was quiet most of the weekend, having been almost non stop for nearly two weeks!

Have a great week and look for Pam’s own blog update soon!

Cheers
Liz

To clean or loaf, that is the question!

The last block of ice has melted from the park opposite my home. Summer temperatures have plopped themselves down on us and we are now basking in 20-24 degrees. It is great to see all the birds back and our friendly neighborhood chipmunk came right onto the deck last evening. They are beautiful creatures and very friendly. Looking for nuts of course. One of them must have spread the news that you can get chopped almonds laid out by my husband, at nine dollars a container!!!just for looking cute.

Worked on Madelaine this week and sent my offering to Liz. It's slow going as I am being careful of the accuracy and timing of events so that means reading and re-reading chapters to get my facts straight. Liz is working on Body so I am hoping to receive her writing soon. Next Saturday we will be at the Workshop "revising and re-writing" and we are looking forward to learning the next process in our journey in storytelling.

Having a very lazy morning and I am on my third cup of Java. Read all the doom and gloom in two newspapers and kept the best stuff to the end. I love the book reports and reviews and enjoy the housing sections. The house is quiet and I have all the windows open and it is heaven. Peter is at his college class in oil painting (or rather acrylics) the schools do not allow solvents. This is his last class and one more all day workshop before he gets his certificate. I am prejudiced but I think his work is super. I must remind him that I would like him to illustrate the book covers.

I am arguing with myself about how I will spend my day. Should I continue to loaf around or clean and do a wash. As I am not cooking today,( we are visiting my daughter and grandchildren in Barrie, so dinner is taken care off) so it is really not much of an argument. Yes, the dirty clothes and dust will still be there tomorrow. Glad that's settled.

I have started a short story to enter a contest for the "Elora Writers Festival" that takes place the first Sunday in June. Only managed a few pages so far so while I am waiting on "Body Perfect"to be sent by Liz I will try and finish what I started. Everyone has the same title and it is called "Harvest of Words".

Enjoy the good weather.

Pam