via Bits and Pieces

I like staying at a nice hotels. I love the amenities: the fine dining, the cozy bars, the spas and swimming pools. Rooms with hideaway TVs and fridges stocked with booze and goodies. Then there are all the little things you can bring home. I sometimes get carried away. My bathroom essentials are largely 'donated' … Continue reading Always Bring a Large Suitcase to a Hotel

I came across a great post on copy editing by a colleague, Chantal Saville: Would You Like Some ‘Desert’ Tonight? Last night, I posted this on Twitter: I just read this line in a self-published novel: “There were salads and chocolate éclairs for desert.” I feel a blog post coming on. The excerpt was on … Continue reading Copy Editing Is A Must For Writers

There are all sorts of theories and ideas about what constitutes a good opening line. It's tricky thing, and tough to talk about because I don't think conceptually while I work on a first draft -- I just write. To get scientific about it is a little like trying to catch moonbeams in a jar. … Continue reading Why Stephen King Spends ‘Months and Even Years’ Writing Opening Sentences

It seems parents were just a little upset to learn that Hooters girls had posed for photos with a group of Cub Scouts. Not only that, but Hooters had sponsored the event in the first place. I guess the Cub Scouts thought you scratch our backs and we scratch...umm, never mind.

Courtesy of Mock Paper Scissors

Yesterday, I received my first rejection letter from a literary agent regarding The Road Ahead manuscript. I feel good. Now I have something in common with Walt Whitman, J.K. Rowling and Dr. Seuss. They all received rejection letters too. I understand that it's part of the process and I'm not discouraged. It would have been nice … Continue reading I’ve Joined the Ranks of Walt Whitman, J.K. Rowling and Dr. Seuss

by Claire E. White The Internet Writing Journal, November 2005 The business of being an author has changed considerably over the last ten years. No longer is it sufficient to write a brilliant manuscript and manage to get it published. Authors now need to be excellent promoters of their own work. And for the intrinsically … Continue reading The Author’s Dilemma: To Blog or Not to Blog

It's Independence Day in the United States today just three days after Canada Day. We have much in common with are neighbours to the South. Yet, there are some distinct differences.         Thanksgiving October November National animal Beaver Bald eagle Who won the War of 1812 Canada United States Misbehaving celebrity Justin … Continue reading Canada v. The United States

1965 Strike: "Oh My God! Throw the bastards in jail!" 1975 Strike: "What again? Legislate them back to work!" 1981 Strike: "I don't really care. It doesn't effect me that much." 1991 Strike: "Great! No junk mail!" 2011 Strike: "Who are those picketers in front of the government building?" 2016 Strike: "Huh? What's Canada Post?"