More of The Same!

Almost three weeks since Pam wrote, and it’s STILL hot, humid and uncomfortable.  So draining.  Intermittent thunderstorms have not really cleared the air as hoped for and so we continue to swelter.  There is no little envy on my part for those of you who have air conditioning.

But enough of the weather!    And I won't even mention problems that have been ongoing with the internet connection at this new address....

July has been a busy month at work and at home.  Here at home I continue to try and get organized after moving at the end of June.  The weather plays a big part in hampering efforts to get to those remaining boxes. Just thinking about unpacking is enough to start the sticky uncomfortableness the humidity brings. Pictures still need to be hung and bookshelves need organizing, but at least my library is unpacked.  I always think it feels like home once familiar authors and favourite tales have once again taken up residence around me.

Progress today though has come in the assembly of a much needed kitchen pantry unit.  Never believe those three little words on the exterior packaging….”Easy to assemble”.  Need I say more?  However after several hours of hard work, the unit now stands ready to be filled with the contents of some of those yet-to-be-unpacked boxes.

Pam has been literally run off her feet at work with one event (charity or social) after another. Hopefully she is enjoying a restful weekend as I write!  So many people at work have come to depend on her for everything from coffee runs to organizing day long company events.  And all with a smile – most of the time.

I am determined to take some time tomorrow to turn my creativity back to Body Perfect.  It has been too long away from this fun adventure and I am missing Paul and Dorothy!

This evening though I will be attending a gathering of family and friends as we celebrate my son and his wife’s 30^th birthdays.  Hmmmm…the hall will be air conditioned, won’t it?

Enjoy the rest of the weekend and stay cool.

Cheers!

Liz

Crazy,Lazy days of summer!

It's hot , humid and uncomfortable. This is not my kind of weather at all. I have moved from the comfort of my lounger in the shade all day as I can't find a nice breeze to keep me there. So I sit in the living room with airconditioning blasting and an overhead fan blowing. Talk about consumer consumption in overdrive! Then when I start to shiver I move back to my spot in the shade where I at least have some chipmunks to keep me company as I read my third book this week that was on my list.

Two Canadians and one South African. I enjoyed all of them. I read Giles Blunt's new book in two days and as it is not going to be published until next month I don't want to give anything away. It is called "Crime Machine" Look for it in August.John Cardinal is back and better than ever. If you are a fan you will love it.

Linwood Barclay can do no wrong in my book. The suspense builts until I have to say enough already, I really have to get to sleep and then I read another chapter.... His latest is called "Never look away". Super. Could not put it down.

I have not read any Deon Meyer and know nothing about South Africa. I met him at Bloody Words and we were all given one of his books. This one is called "Blood Safari" I was determined not to like it. I don't know why. One of those predudices coming to the fore. What can I say!!!
Superlatives seem meaningless as the writing was beautiful and insightful and the way he brought in the back-story was brilliant. It is surely a troubled country but I would still like to make a journey there some day.

Neeedless to say I did not do much else on my weeks vacation. I did manage to revise from chapter 14-21 of Body Perfect. I cut a few words or sentences and added a few others. Nothing drastic as we both feel the story line is as we want it to be but there is always room for improvement. Now that Liz has settled into her new home we should be able to get moving and say we are done-then try to get an agent to pick it up.

Lots going on in this part of the world with the G20 and G8 on our doorsteps. I don't want to get into the politics of it all in this blog but I was saddened by what happened downtown Toronto. No longer feels like Toronto the good. The World Cup Soccer & Wimbledon are very prominent in our house at the moment and I for one will be glad when it is all over. Have I mentioned I am not a sports fan?

Liz has been covering for me at work and I thank her for that. I don't have another break until the end of August and then I have 10 days leading up to Labour Day. Thank goodness the office is air-conditioned. And the car. I sound very spoiled but it's what I am used to and come unglued without it.

I will let you know how we fare finishing up the revisions.

Talk soon,

Slainte,
Pam

Well done Pam!

Great photos Pam!   And a super write up on your time spent at Bloody Words this year…here’s looking forward to 2011 in Victoria!  I'm so glad you represented Jamie Tremain at this year's venue and networked enough for the both of us.

Pam has also been honing her interview skills lately.  As may have been mentioned before, I edit a newsletter for our department each month.  The usual social information of birthdays and anniversaries, plus some health or computer tips.  Last month Pam took it upon herself to interview two of our staff and submitted very nice write ups for those interviewed.  Many positive compliments have been received and those chosen for next month’s interviews seem quite flattered by the attention. It’s a wonderful way for us to get to know each other – we number about two hundred – and perhaps see others in a different, non-work related, light.

Hard to believe we are now into the month of June, accompanied by thunderstorms and far too frequent humidity.  Although the rain today seems to have lowered the temperature some…perhaps a better night’s sleep may be in store for yours truly.

Right now amidst packing and organizing for my upcoming move, I am reading “Burden of Memory” by Vicki Delany.  This is the second book I've read by this author and I am really enjoying the tale; its hard to put down.   I’ve had to keep out one or two books to tide me over until the unpacking can begin later this month.  And not in small part due to the fact that (horror of horrors!) I will be offline for just over a week.  I look forward very much to organizing a new office space and feel confident it will be a good motivator to wrap up the first draft of Body Perfect.

As well this is a busy social month, my granddaughter’s 5^th birthday; my daughter’s birthday (just a little older than five!); some good friends as well.  Not to mention Father’s Day on the 20^th!  Get your shares in those greeting card companies asap.

Time to call it a night and return to “Burden of Memory” for a chapter or two before lights out.

Good night and cheers.

Liz

Images from Bloody Words

Giles Blunt was the Canadian Guest of Honour
This picture was taken at the "Sisters in Crime Luncheon". Deon Meyers from South Africa reads from his latest thriller "Thirteen Hours".
Ross Pennie an Infectious Disease Doctor who has written his first medical mystery, "Tainted". He also has a memior of Papau New Guinea. " The Unforgiving Tide"
Pam and Anthony Bidulka author of the Russell Quant Series
Pam & Robert Landori the author of "Fatal Greed". His new book is coming out shortly. Sorry, name escapes me.
Vicki Delaney sporting her Victorian hat to promote her Klondike series. This is an example of my bad photography. Sorry Vicki.
Pam & R.J. Harlick at the banquet. Robin is the author of the Meg Harris series.

This is a picture of Caro Soles and her friend Boney Pete. Caro started Bloody Words in 1999. I attended a three hour class on Sunday morning with her. Planning and plotting. Excellent.

This is just a few of the images from the convention. Photography is not my forte, so lets hope my writing is better.

Bloody Words X

Since last I wrote the weather has taken a change for the better here in Southern Ontario. Dry, sunny, hot and temperatures in the high 20's. My five day vacation from my work at the bank was spent at the Hilton Hotel enjoying the Bloody Words conference in Toronto. Not to give the wrong impression, I have to tell you I did not stay at the hotel as I am not making the big bucks yet!!!

What a well run conference this was and very exciting to meet many of my favourite authors and listen to them in panel discussions and classes where I could learn some more about the craft of mystery and crime writing. It was lovely to meet others Liz and I had chatted with last year in Ottawa and have them remember us and give encouragement. Many of the attendees do not write but are avid readers and of course without them who would buy the books. They run book clubs and work in libraries and reccomend books they themselves like.

Lots of networking with the passing of cards and book marks. Mystery writers are a friendly group and I talked to journalists and short story writers as well as script writers and film makers. This was the tenth anniversary of the conference so there was a party on the Friday evening and of course the banquet on the Saturday night with Linwood Barclay as MC. He was his usual humourous self and had us all in stiches.

www.linwoodbarclay.com/about.html . I can't wait to read his latest thriller- Never Look Away.


The Canadian guest of honour was the incomparible Giles Blunt. I was very fortunate that the dealers room gave me an uncorrected proof of his latest novel to come out in August called Crime Machine. Those of you who know his work will be glad that John Cardinal is back. http://www.gilesblunt.com/

Deon Meyer was the International guest of honour and he hails from South Africa. He also writes thrillers and the Guardian says "A hell of a thriller" to one of his books called "Blood Safari". That is also on my list. www.deonmeyer.com/bio/bio.html -

I am reading Vicki Delaney's Klondike series at the moment and attended a tea she had recently here in Oakville to promote the books. Very enjoyable.http://klondikeandtrafalgar.blogspot.com/


John Moss has finished his latest Quin and Morgan Mystery. Sorry John I have forgotten the name. Please check his blog for word of a launch date and the name.http://johnmossmysteryblog.blogspot.com/

I had a wonderful dinner companion in R.J.Harlick ( Robin)who writes the Meg Harris mysteries. She was a recent nominee for the Arthur Ellis award for best novel. Her recent book takes place in the Artic and she visited the wondrous Artic to do her research. It is called... "Artic Blue Death". http://rjharlick.blogspot.com/

There were many more authors that deserved to be mentioned like Pamela Callow and Rick Moffina. Rick Bletcha and a young fellow by the name of Stephen Legault who is launching his second book "The Darkening Archipelago" next month. www.coleblackwater.com

I would be remiss if I did not mention my friend Anthony Bidulka who has just brought out his seventh book in the Russell Quant Mystery Series. His books are highly entertaining. Check out "Date with a Sheesha". I know you will enjoy reading them.
www.anthonybidulka.com/home.htm

Now when am I going to find the time to write myself if I have all this reading to do?I usually don't look forward to the first day back at work but I am looking forward to bringing Liz up to date on the happening with the Bloody gang.

I will chat later in the week.

Slainte,
Pam

Mothering Sunday

Mothering Sunday is what this day is called in Britain, but they celebrate mothers in March. To all you lovely mummies old and new, have a good day and I hope you are pampered and cossetted and your children make a fuss over over you.

My husband bought me a bottle of my favourite fragrance after I left an empty bottle on the dresser. Nothing subtle about me. I know, I am not his mummy but I did carry his three children for nine months!!! Whine, whine.Still to hear from the children!!

On the writing front I have been polishing the first three chapters of "Body Perfect" and just a few minutes ago received back from Liz her changes and agreement to mine. I will take those to the Bloody Words conference at the end of this month. Liz is not joining me as she is moving to a townhouse a few weeks after, so with the expense and all that moving entails she has decided to stay home and pack boxes. It won't be the same as Liz takes better notes than I do so it is up to me to schmooze and talk my fool head off to everyone, especially agents and publishers.

The is the tenth Anniversary of Bloody Words and there is a party on the Friday night . Saturday wil be very busy with workshops and classes all day and then a banquet at night where they give out the "Boney Pete" award. Sunday after a workshop I have booked a place at the luncheon for "Sisters in Crime" get together.

Cold but sunny day although they are calling for a snowfall!! Hail and heavy rain yesterday. It's early days yet for a summer. That's my excuse to stay out of the garden. Don't want the poor plants to die in a frost.

Talk soon,

Slainte,

Pam

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

Plotting ,Proofing and more!

Enjoying the sunshine sitting here at my desk answering emails and plotting. Not that they go together. My favourite place for plotting is the car on the way to work as I usually have uninterrupted time. Once I am in the office there is not a chance until Liz and I take a lunch break and usually try to catch up where we are with the stories.

Spent the early part of the morning listening to a lecture series on "Building Great Sentences".
Oh ,what I don't know; but I am willing to learn. It has been a few years since I was in a classroom so it was a dejavu thing. Grammar and rhetoric, propositions and cumulative syntax.

This is all great stuff but you still need a good story and interesting characters. Liz just emailed to say how much she was enjoying a particular scene that she was revising. Long may we always feel that way and feel joy, doing what we are doing.

I should have proof read chapters 8,9,10 by the end of the day. That is half way through. Once the revisions are done and I have proofed the rest we still have to do a last revision together and work on the last chapter to find a way to wrap up the story.

I have sent the info to Liz regarding the "Bloody Words "conference at the end of May. They are holding it in Toronto this year at the Hilton. Giles Blunt www.gilesblunt.com will be there and Linwood Barclay http://linwoodbarclay.com/ The International author is Deon Myer http://www.deonmeyer.com/ and so many others I would like to have a chat with. I am not familier with Deon Myer so will check him out. We will have to see how the money goes.

How the time passes. It is nearly 1:15pm and I am still in my jammies.
Make the most of the Spring like weather and we will talk soon.

Slainte,

Pam

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