MARCHING AHEAD

March  - what a month this has been! Several family, and friends’, birthdays scattered from one end to the other. An engagement party for my daughter and her fiancé turned into a surprise birthday party held in my honour for one of those silly milestone ages. All involved with the planning did a fantastic job of keeping quiet, even to the point of having me pick up buns for the meal!   

       Jamie Tremain - One-half Celebrating a Birthday

Pam Trying to Talk Horse Sense?

                                                                                                  Killer Authors

                                                                               Donna Warner, Gloria Ferris, Donna Houghton and

                                                                                                              Jamie Tremain

                                                                         

And as if the surprise party wasn’t exciting and memorable enough, Jamie Tremain signed, sealed and delivered (to Canada Post) a contract with Black Opal Books to publish one of our books!!  The Silk Shroud (formerly Body Perfect) is the second of three completed stories Pam and I have worked on over the past eight years and we are tickled to death (hmmm, now there’s an interesting thought) to say we are now under contract with Black Opal Books. It’s been a long journey and we are excited to be taking these next steps, even though there will surely be more work ahead of us.

Naturally in the midst of all this my computer decided it was time to go all blue screen on me. So off to purchase a laptop and begin the task of moving files and backing up favourites. A further upgrade to Office 2013 completed the new set up and I think today has seen me finally comfortable with all things new.

Both Pam and I are truly grateful for all the support and encouragement we’ve received over the years with our writing. Not to mention the invaluable advice, suggestions and critiques offered to us by members of this wonderful writing community to which we belong.

A website is in the works as well - stay tuned for more details.

As well, Jamie Tremain will continue with our monthly interviews – later this month will be a visit with Elizabeth Duncan, author of the Penny Brannigan series.

And now if only Spring would really arrive, March would be almost perfect.

Cheers!

Liz

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