Olympics, the Weather, and Day to Day

Way to go CANADA!!

We have shattered the record for the number of Gold Medals won by an Olympic Host country – WhooHOOOOO!! 

I am so proud of our athletes and the winning performances they have turned in. 

I also shared in the joy of the moment for other winners, because without competitors there would be no
Games.

There have certainly been some challenges with the weather and technical glitches, but overall, a great success for the Vancouver 2010 Olympic Games. My thoughts still go out to the family of 21-year-old Georgian luge competitor Nodar Kumaritashvili was killed in a horrific training crash and which cast a pall over the start of the games.

Many other emotional moments will be etched in memories for a long, long time, and I am now waiting with anticipation to take in the Men’s Hockey game later today!  

Team Canada – you have done us proud!

From glory to the everyday – we have finally had a taste of winter that has been pretty much absent these past months – some nasty driving in the Greater Toronto area led to delays and frayed nerves, but even still I’ve experience much worse and if that’s as bad as it gets, I’ll try not to complain over much!  The days are lengthening as we head into March and look forward to the promise of spring.

At work, I’m returning to a position I had over a year ago, and am quite happy about that.  The fact that my new seating arrangement has me perched in the corner of the 6^th floor overlooking the busy Highway 401 is a nice bonus; windows on both sides afford me perfect seating for magnificent sunrises!  Yep, there will continue to be stress and challenges, but of a different kind and I think ones I’m more able to handle.

And now back to writing – Body Perfect is moving along and the more I revise the story, the more I am comfortable being in the minds of our main characters.

More irons in the fire for Madelaine as positive feedback continues to come our way from our many fans and supporters – if Canada has Olympic Gold, then may this be the year Jamie Tremain reaches our goal of being published!

Have a great week.

Cheers!

Liz

This and That

It's Saint Valentine's Day and I don't see any roses,chocolates or tickets to a far off vacation from my beloved. But then again I forgot all about it. I will have to put all my love into his dinner tonight!

I did get a present from Peter last week. A 12 hour DVD series of lectures on
" Exploring the Writer's Craft- Building Great sentences. So far so good. Next lecture later today.Is he trying to tell me something?

It is nice to relax today knowing that tomorrow is a holiday. It is family day in Canada. Usually on a Sunday I am scrambling to get ready for the work week.

Liz has been vacationing but she emailed to say she had revised Chapter eight and was working on nine. I am continuing to rewrite the synopsis and source suitable agents for our work.

The winter in Southern Ontario where we both live has been neither here nor there. Not enough snow to get upset about and the snow plows lie idle. I hope this means an early spring. Not that I am a gardener by any stretch of the imagination. In fact I am very good at killing off house plants. My favourite orchid lost its flowers last year. Now , there is nothing so pathetic as an orchid with just those pointy leaves that attract dust. I even forgot to water them. Well maybe that is what you have to do. A little neglect and the little beauty started flowering in my bedroom window.

I can't even remember the name of it but alas it was not to last. Stumbling around in the dark the other morning as I do, I decided to straighten the orchid . It was attached to a long stick . Giving it a yank to get it upright........it sort of came away in my hand. Well I just stuck it back in the pot and hope it will graft or whatever you call it. Maybe I could talk to it until it's all healed?



I have just missed an event at the library I wanted to see but I will make sure I don't miss the next one. Linwood Barclay, who I have mention before,will be talking about his new thriller "Never Look away". His latest to be released this month on the 23rd is "Fear the Worst". This event is on march 2nd at Oakville Public library.

Off to do my homework!!

Talk soon,
Slainte,

Pam

Saying Goodbye to Angel

Goodnight Angel


A very sad time this evening.  (I started this blog at 11:30 last night [Saturday] but am just now wanting to finish it..)..a member of our family for the past 7 years passed away suddenly this evening.  "Angel"
was our family dog, part Wheaton terrier, part Schnauzzer, and part Poodle...I nicknamed her a Schweepootzen.  


The first phone call came at 8:45 last night that she was throwing up - new medications given for a heart murmur weren't  agreeing with her.  Half an hour later, she was not able to stand.  Emergency call to the vet, tests were run - diagnosis was congestive heart failure.  Treatment options were given and Angel was was to spend the night under medical supervision.


Ninety minutes later she went into cardiac arrest and was gone.


Angel (and Cujo, shown above with her) lived with my daughter for the past year and the hardest decision was not to call Christine and let her know what
was happening.  She has just started a new job and was undergoing orientation and training sessions until well after midnight and wouldn't be home until after 3 a.m.  This morning Christine agreed that she was glad she hadn't know what was happening, so we are all relieved that the right decision was made, and that another heart wrenching decision was taken away from us. 


For those of you who are pet lovers I don't have to describe the huge ouch that we are all feeling right now, and that the next few days will be hard ones.  Its no less of a loss than losing a human family member, and in some ways its a harder pain, but I take comfort in knowing she was well and truly loved, pampered and always had a good home.


Rest in peace, my little Angel...how glad I am that God gives us memories.


No cheers today.


Liz

January Blahs!

What kind of a blogger only reports every three weeks or so? I guess I had nothing very facinating to talk about. I just want to report that Jamie Tremain is still alive and kicking or writing should I say. I have organized myself to death this weekend and reread binders full of class information from Brian Henry's workshops http://quick-brown-fox/

I am working on the synopsis of Madelaine and new query letters. Then a list of Literary agents to submit our work. They all have different requirements. Some by snail mail and some online.

I was shut down a few minutes ago as Liz was blogging at the same time. I will let her blog speak for itself. Anyone who has gone through losing a pet knows the feeling.

I will be back later in the week with an update on the synopsis..

Talk later,
Pam

"It's a new deal"

Its a new day,a new year and a new decade. January 1st of any year is a chance to start again. This past year has been a year of uncertainty for many, least of all Liz and I. Added responsibilities at work and family issues kept us from giving our best to our writing, but we are bound and determined to make this our year.

The year was not wasted as we researched and read different authors in other genres. We honed our craft by learning from the experts. The highlight of our year was the convention in Ottawa ,"Bloody Words". Magazines such as the "Writer" and books written solely for the purpose of helping the aspiring writer become published were poured over for ideas and inspiration. Reading blogs on writing and finding out that we are not alone in our quest to be published authors. The writing world, and for that matter the Mystery writers we have met and have been in correspondence have been very generous of their time and help.

Because it is not a perfect world I will not be making any resolutions regarding writing. Life has a way of interfering all the time and there is no point in getting bent out of shape . Whatever is thrown at us next we can put to good use in an other book.

I have lots of ideas and characters for book #3 but I am getting ahead of myself.
The deal is............get Madelaine published, finish Body Perfect and then start #3

Best wishes for 2010 to our faithful supporters this past year. Keep reading the blog. We appreciate your support.

Slainte,

Pam

CHRISTMAS EVE

It’s here!  Christmas is tomorrow!   All the hustle and bustle can, hopefully, come to a close this day.  It will be fun to see the excitement and laughter of the grandchildren as they delight in the innocence of it all.  Oh, to be a little one again and not get caught up in the commercial, competitive side of things.

Pam is enjoying a much needed week’s vacation and what a perfect time of year to not have to worry about work!  Although more than one manager has been heard to say this week, “I wish Pam were here; I need such and such”.

Like Pam I have been struggling to find time and motivation for serious writing; job hunting (unsuccessful to date); lack of sleep, and long days take their toll.  Early in the New Year, I should be no longer in the temporary management role I’ve had since January and I relish the thought of just having a daily routine of worrying only about me where work is concerned.  Even better would be the chance I can go back to a schedule of hours more suited to my early rising nature.

Still all complaints aside, there is much to be grateful for; a healthy family; wonderful trustworthy and loyal friends; a steady job and a roof over my head in the best country in the world.  These are the blessings which tend to be overshadowed at times by our negativity.  Not that I’m making a New Year’s Resolution, but it wouldn’t hurt to be more positive over the things I have, than the things I don’t.

So, lacking the proverbial crystal ball Pam mentioned, Jamie Tremain will continue to think positive and strive to make 2010 a year of success in one way or another.  I echo Pam’s thanks to those of you who are faithful followers – you are more appreciated than you will ever know!

And now its time to wish everyone the very best of Christmas joy and blessings. May you enjoy time spent with family and friends and never take the blessings in life for granted.

MERRY CHRISTMAS to all!

Cheers!

Liz

First day of Winter

It is the first day of winter and four days away from Christmas. The snow that started this morning just drifted slowly and came to nothing. Just like my writing lately. I feel as if I am drifting along and then nothing. No rewrites, revisions or editing or anything new for that matter. My time with Liz at work has been limited to a fast coffee and the occasional lunch so plotting and having our editorial meetings have come to a standstill.

My other excuse for not writing is that I did not back up my work for the last three months and appear to have lost it into cyber space. Needless to say I am very frustrated with this turn of events and need Liz to come for a visit to try and sort me out. I have been trying to restore things tonight but no luck. Thankfully Liz always backs up everything and can send me what I need. I did get one query letter sent out last week but need to be more consistent and send them on a more regular basis.

I am on vacation this week until the 28th and I am decompressing from a busy couple of months at work. I feel as if I am doing everything in slow motion and if things are not done ,well, thats just too bad. I still have most of my shopping to do and will get started tomorrow. I know, the stores will be busy and the parking lots full but I am not in a hurry.

Christmas Eve is to be spent at friends for a wonderful dinner ( She is a fabulous cook) and Christmas day will just be my husband and son for dinner. Christmas day without a baby in the house will seem strange but we will all get together soon.

What does 2010 have in store for Jamie Tremain? I wish I had a crystal ball and could see an agent in the horizon. Staying positive and not giving up with our writing is the plan. I don't want to set a time to finish but our hopes are to get "Body Perfect" finished by the Spring. When we are up and running again in the New Year Liz will have our Web site going.

For those of you that follow our blog thanks for the support. Please feel free to make a comment any time.
I wish you a Merry Christmas and health and happiness for the New Year.
Talk soon,

Slainte,
Pam

December First

And of course there is snow on the car this morning; as I write the soft white stuff is gently blanketing the ground with its first winter coat.  Probably won’t last long, but still a foretaste of what is sure to become more abundant!

We received another (very kindly written) rejection note yesterday, but we remain undaunted.  We knew this could be a long process and are not in any way about to give up.  More queries will soon be hitting cyberspace and eventually we will find the right connection.

The Christmas season is upon us – many activities both at work and home are beginning to fill the calendar and so I fear writing, will once again, be taking a back seat.  I mentioned to Pam yesterday that I have taken a week off in February with the thoughts of mild hibernation and devoted writing time.

I enjoyed the company of two of my grandchildren over the weekend – Makenna who is four, and her brother who turned two in August.  It was a sleepover and I had fun with them. Makenna is quite dramatic and creative; her imagination is a wonderful thing to see in process.  During the night she awoke from a nightmare and made her way to my bed; later in the morning she complained, “I don’t like nightmares, Nana.  They are very scary and I’m just a little kid.” This said with arms crossed and bright blue eyes as wide as they could go. 

Max had awoken earlier, wanting mummy and daddy, and so I brought him in to sleep with me.  Why do little ones insist on sleeping sideways?  When Makenna joined us, I found myself sandwiched between the two, soon to be joined by my black fluffy cat, Nitro.  He decided it would be quite fine to sleep spread out over all three of us.  Maybe not so bad, until a hot flash came on with a vengeance!

It was good to be around little ones for a few hours and just observe them, and of course unrequested hugs and kisses were quite welcome too   J

Well, I see the clock ticking towards departure time for work, and I must make some allowance for sloppy road conditions this morning.

Christmas Shopping is on the agenda, again, for this evening.  Oh, and I am working on setting up a website for us; its still in progress, but next blog I will let you have its location and you can check it out.

Enjoy your day – Cheers!

Liz

Cobble Beach

Is this not a beautiful sight? The shores of Georgian Bay just outside of Owen Sound. It was called Cobble Beach and my girlfriends and I went there for some R & R and a little pampering. Good food, good company and a massage. Heaven.l could get used to that life. Planned on doing some writing but.... was too busy doing nothing. I did make some notes on my surroundings as they were spectacular. I am sure I can use my descriptions in a new story.

On the home front my house is under renovations.I have finally got my office back with lovely new floors. No excuse for not writing.

I am having problems with my laptop tonight as I have to keep rewriting. It is skipping. Will try again tomorrow.

Talk later,
Pam

Tram tracks and jumping curbs!

It has been a few weeks since I blogged. I have been recovering from my night to the big city to see some of my favourite authors at Harbour Front. I should say that my car is recovering...
Let me explain.

Driving from Oakville to the city has never been a problem for me and for years I have made the trip on business and pleasure without any mishaps. Well, I am not sure why I should suddenly feel so disoriented. I made the highway and took the appropriate cut-off for downtown. Weather was fine, traffic light but as I searched for a sign to lead me to the parking for Harbour Front I made my first mistake. I made a right turn instead of left and to my amazement this guy was waving his arms and trying to tell me something. This is the big city after all and there are lots of kooks around. It turns out that I was the kook and was now on the tram tracks . The beads of sweat and heart palpitations not withstanding, I did what every good driver would do.. I jumped the median and got into the right lane.

I know , I know, not a good idea especially for the car . There was a sickening scraping of metal and lots of bumps but I just kept going and went around the block.
That should have been the end of it as I finally went in the right direction, off to the left and I could now see the signs for the parking.
Now I have been driving for 42 years and have a clean record , except for a couple of parking tickets so what happened next was beyond my ken. yes , you guessed it. I was on the tram rails again!!! This time I panicked properly and went over the curb and beetled it to the nearest parking lot and sat and wondered about the damage to my car.

I decided to venture into the theatre where the readings were and said a few prayers that I did not puncture my exhaust or anything else for that matter. This episode rather took the wind out of my sails but I was determined to listen to Ian Rankin and Denise Mina and a few others.

The place was packed and I met a nice guy by the name of Fergus who must have been Ian Rankin's biggest fan. He was born in Canada but knew more about Edinburgh , Scotland my home town than I do. Ian Rankin's books are based in Edinburgh with his Inspector Rebus series. This young fellow knew every pub and street name and had visited the scenes of the crimes many times. A true fan.

I enjoyed Denise Mina as she is very funny. I think I blanked out any others reading as I kept worrying about my car. I did not stay to do any smoozing. Finding my car drivable was my goal and I did not hang around.
I made it home with no mishaps and the car seems neither the worse for wear. I can't say the same for me. I probably aged 10 years overnight.

Liz and I are still revising Body Perfect. Slow but sure. We have had some positive feedback from co-workers who have read the manuscript. That is always encouraging. Now we just need to find an agent that enjoys the story as much.

Check back in a few days and I will let you in on my journey to Bruce County to the beautiful Georgian Bay.

Talk later,
Slainte,
Pam

Smoozing at the Festival

I hope to hit the International Author's Festival tomorrow night but it will all depend if I can stay awake to hit the road about 6.30, find a parking spot and then walk to the venue. Once more my paid job is getting in the way of the rest of my life. It's a necessary evil so will pace myself tomorrow and see if I can make Harbour Front for 8pm. ( Usually in my jammies by then).

Denise Mina http://www.denisemina.co.uk/is a wonderful Scottish author from Glasgow. Her writing is quite dark but.... gives me shivers. Ian Rankinhttp://www.ianrankin.net/ is the moderator of the group I want to see. You may know him by his Inspector Rebus books. He is from the "Kingdom of Fife" but I believe he now lives in my home town of Edinburgh. Looking forward to that.

Not started into any poetry reading yet but it is on a todo list. Reading a book by Vicki Delaney www.vickidelany.com a Canadian writer that I am enjoying. It is called the "Burden of Memory".
I am still working on my character list for Body Perfect and both Liz and I are filling out the characters more to our liking. As we delve into their psyche they tell you what you want to know about them. Uncanny.

Fall colours are at their height and everything looks glorious. Saw some ads for snowblowers the other day. I hope they are jumping the gun.

Well I will do some smoozing tomorrow night and report back of my journey to the big city and my adventures with all these smashing writers. Maybe some of their success will rub off.

Talk later,
Slainte,
Pam